Methyldopa blocks MHC class II binding to disease-specific antigens in autoimmune diabetes

Major histocompatibility (MHC) class II molecules are strongly associated with many autoimmune disorders. In type 1 diabetes (T1D), the DQ8 molecule is common, confers significant disease risk, and is involved in disease pathogenesis. We hypothesized that blocking DQ8 antigen presentation would provide therapeutic benefit by preventing recognition of self-peptides by pathogenic T cells. We used the crystal structure of DQ8 to select drug-like...