Moreover, the potency of ShK[K18A] against Kv1.3, its selectivity for this channel over Kv1.1, its preferential inhibition of TEM cells over naïve and TCM cells, its ability to significantly reduce a DTH reaction, and the fact that it is composed entirely of protein amino acids, make it an attractive candidate for further evaluation as a therapeutic for autoimmune diseases. The gene discussed is KCNA3; the disease is autoimmune disease.