Major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) molecules presenting myelin antigens (MHC II-myelin antigen complex)

Major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) molecules presenting myelin antigens are critical complexes in the pathogenesis of demyelinating diseases, most notably Multiple Sclerosis (MS). These molecules, typically expressed on professional antigen-presenting cells, display fragments of myelin proteins such as myelin basic protein (MBP), proteolipid protein (PLP), and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) to CD4+ T cells (Roche & Furuta, 2015, Nature Reviews Immunology). In susceptible individuals, this presentation triggers an aberrant immune response where autoreactive T cells attack the myelin sheath of the central nervous system (Hollenbach & Oksenberg, 2015, Frontiers in Immunology). Therapeutic strategies targeting this complex aim to either block the interaction between the MHC-peptide complex and the T-cell receptor or to induce immune tolerance through the administration of altered peptide ligands or specific antigen-presenting cell modulators (Schrempf & Ziemssen, 2007, Clinical Therapeutics). By specifically addressing the myelin-presenting MHC II molecules, researchers hope to develop treatments that suppress the disease-causing immune response without compromising the patient's overall immune competence (Lutterotti & Martin, 2014, Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs).

Other names

HLA-DR-myelin peptide complexMHC-II-MBP complexMHC-II-MOG complexMHC-II-PLP complexHuman leukocyte antigen class II-myelin antigen complex

Competitive binding to the MHC class II peptide-binding groove to prevent the activation of autoreactive CD4+ T cells and promote the differentiation of regulatory T cells (Tregs).