The invention is related to peptide constructs, i.e., polypeptides obtained by linking together two or more peptides based on or derived from different molecules, which are useful in the treatment or prevention of autoimmune diseases, specifically rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and compositions containing same, methods for producing same and methods for using same； wherein the peptide constructs have the formula P1-x-P2 where P1 is a peptide associated with autoimmune disease, allergy, asthma, host-versus-graft rejection, myocarditis, diabetes, and immune-mediated disease, which binds to an antigen receptor on a set or subset of T cells； P2 is a peptide which will cause a Th2 directed immune response by the set or subset of T cells to which the peptide P1 is attached or which will bind to a T cell receptor which will cause the set or subset of T cells to which the peptide P1 is attached to initiate, but not complete, an immune response causing the set or subset of T cells to undergo anergy and apoptosis； and x is a direct bond or linker for covalently bonding P1 and P2.
