T-cell epitopes for antigen-specific immunotherapy of primary biliary cirrhosis (360G-Wellcome-204565_Z_16_Z)

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune disease that strikes 1/1000 women over the age of 40. Autoimmune diseases are caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the individual's own tissues. In the case of multiple sclerosis, immune cells enter and attack the brain, in type I diabetes they ultimately destroy the pancreas whereas in PBC they enter the liver where they cause irreparable tissue damage often resulting in organ failure. Drugs against PBC can delay progression but simply don't work in about 1/3 of those affected. Our research has revealed a way to "switch off" the immune cells that cause autoimmune diseases. We have shown that this works in diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Graves' disease. By designing drugs that will switch off the immune cells causing PBC, we aim to provide a therapeutic strategy that will greatly improve treatment of this condition.