Specialized variants of the constitutive 20S proteasome in the immune system like the immunoproteasomes and the thymoproteasome contain active site-bearing subunits which differ in their cleavage priorities and substrate binding pockets. The immunoproteasome plays a crucial role in antigen processing and for the differentiation of pro-inflammatory T helper cells which are involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. Selective inhibitors of the immunoproteasome and constitutive proteasome have recently been generated which interfere with the development and progression of autoimmune diseases. Here we describe these inhibitors and their therapeutic potential as predicted from preclinical models.
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