TLR8, the focus of thiswork, is involved in the pathogenesis of diseases such as rheumatoidarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis.−, ,  Therefore, a mechanistic understanding of TLR8 ligand binding andinhibition may help in the development of therapeutics against autoimmunediseases. The gene discussed is TLR8; the disease is systemic sclerosis.