Abacavir induces loading of novel self-peptides into HLA-B*57: 01: an autoimmune model for HLA-associated drug hypersensitivity.

Background: Abacavir drug hypersensitivity in HIV-treated patients is associated with HLA-B57:01 expression. To understand the immunochemistry of abacavir drug reactions, we investigated the effects of abacavir on HLA-B57:01 epitope-binding in vitro and the quality and quantity of self-peptides presented by HLA-B57:01 from abacavir-treated cells.

Design And Methods: An HLA-B57:01-specific epitope-binding assay was developed to test for effects of abacavir, didanosine or flucloxacillin on self-peptide binding.