title: Class II MHC binding peptides: a feasible treatment for arthritis?
abstract: The association of rheumatoid arthritis with the MHC class II alleles HLA DR4 and HLA DR1 may be due to their capacity to present an arthritogenic peptide to T cells, thus inducing the disease. Interfering with this presentation using a competitor peptide would inhibit the disease and such therapy has been effective in animal models. These studies, and the possibility of transferring the therapy to humans, will be reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, United Medical School of Guy's Hospitals, London, UK.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kingsley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000276:immunology*