Fig. 6

MHCII gene polymorphism and Th cell-mediated autoimmunity. a, b Schematic illustration of molecular structure of MHCII (a) and genetic structure of MHCII (b). c On particular genomic backgrounds and epigenomic states, MHCII gene polymorphism fine tunes the affinity of pMHCII: TCR interactions and the TCR signal intensity. d, e The role of MHCII gene polymorphism in the susceptibility or resistance of Th cell-mediated autoimmunity through modulating thymus selection and Th polarization. APC, antigen-presenting cell; HLA, human leukocyte antigen; MHC, major histocompatibility complex; pTh, pathogenic Th cells for autoimmunity; TCR, T cell receptor