Therefore, the multi-epitope peptide and a complement activating peptide, a modified form of the peptide derived from HIV1 GP120 [32,40] (Ac-233C(Acm)NNQTFNGTGPC(Acm)TNV247-K-NH2, (Acm: acetamido-methyl)) were simultaneously coupled to PLGA nanoparticles, and added to pre-activated PBMC from RA patients in the presence or absence of complement source (1% normal human sera (NHS)). The gene discussed is ITIH4; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.