TCR/MHCII-collagene interaction inhibitors useful for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

The T cells specific to human collagen type II, one of the possible autoantigens, have a crucial role in the development 5 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, 10 families of pharmacologically active molecules have been identified that interfere with the TCR/collagen II-MHCII interaction. The compounds identified here open up new possibilities in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.