[Immune intervention by peptides having a MHC class II binding motif--application of MHC blockers to autoimmune disease models].

Intervention of T cell activation and the treatment of autoimmune disease models by MHC class II binding peptides was reviewed in this article. Analog peptides derived from antigenic peptides were shown to inhibit T cell activation in vitro as well as in vivo either by T cell antagonism, T cell tolerance induction, or by MHC blockade. The induction of immune suppression by MHC blocker peptides was discussed in detail. Successful application of MHC blocker peptides in the treatment of experimental allergy encephalomyelitis (EAE), non-obese diabetic mice and collagen-induced arthritis models indicated that in vivo blocking of MHC class II molecules represents a promising approach for the prevention and possibly treatment of human autoimmune diseases. An approach in identifying non-peptidic MHC blockers was also described.