inhibition of T cell - antigen presenting cell interaction
Last reviewed 01/2018
There are experimental approaches to inhibiting the presentation of the pathogenic antigen to T helper cells:
- copolymer and mixtures of peptides which mimic myelin protein sequences may compete with the pathogenic antigen for access to MHC II sites:
- glatitramer acetate may work in this way
- patients may be vaccinated against specific sequences in the T cell receptor which are found on self-reactive T cells
- the following factors may downregulate MHC II expression:
- TGF-beta
- IL-10
- interferon beta