Modulating agents for inhibiting or enhancing desmosomal cadherin mediated cell adhesion are provided. The modulating agents comprise one or more of: (a) a peptide sequence that is at least 50% identical to a desmosomal cadherin CAR sequence; (b) a non-peptide mimetic of a desmosomal cadherin CAR sequence; (c) a substance, such as an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that specifically binds a desmosomal cadherin CAR sequence; and/or (d) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide that comprises a desmosomal cadherin CAR sequence or analogue thereof. Methods for using such modulating agents for modulating desmosomal cadherin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of contexts are also provided.