Figure 3.
The trimolecular complex and therapies targeting each component. The trimolecular complex consists of a T cell receptor, self-peptide, and HLA class II molecule. Potential therapies include: (a) a small molecule (black circle) occupies a pocket in the HLA peptide binding groove thereby blocking peptide presentation and subsequent T cell activation or a small molecule induces a protective immune response (IL10 production), (b) a monoclonal antibody can bind a specific peptide/MHC complex to block T cell activation, or (c) a monoclonal antibody targets a specific T cell receptor α or β chain to deplete pathogenic T cells.