TCR/MHCII-COLLAGEN INTERACTION INHIBITORS USEFUL FOR THE TREATMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
申请人:CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE
公开号:US20150073030A1
公开(公告)日:2015-03-12
The T cells specific to human collagen type II, one of the possible autoantigens, have a crucial role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis in the context of HLA-DR4. The protein-protein interactions between the T cell receptor (TCR) and the type II collagen linked to the allele MHC of class II HLA-DR4 may thus represent the target for the development of new drugs against rheumatoid arthritis. Using computational virtual screening techniques, families of pharmacologically active molecules have been identified that interfere with the TCR/collagen ll-MHCII interaction. The compounds identified here open up new possibilities in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.