Human leukocyte antigen B*57:01 (HLA-B*57:01) receptor (HLA-B*57:01)

Human leukocyte antigen B*57:01 (HLA-B*57:01) is a specific allele of the HLA-B gene that encodes a Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I receptor (UniProt P01889). Its primary biological function is to present endogenous peptides to CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, which is essential for immune surveillance against viral infections and tumors (Illing et al., 2012). This molecule is a critical pharmacogenetic target because it mediates severe, potentially fatal hypersensitivity reactions to certain drugs, most notably the antiretroviral abacavir. Abacavir binds non-covalently within the F-pocket of the HLA-B*57:01 peptide-binding groove, altering the chemical environment and causing the receptor to present a different set of self-peptides (Ostrov et al., 2012). This altered peptide repertoire is recognized as foreign by the immune system, triggering a massive polyclonal T-cell activation known as Abacavir Hypersensitivity Syndrome (Mallal et al., 2008). Additionally, HLA-B*57:01 is associated with idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury from agents such as flucloxacillin and pazopanib (Daly et al., 2009).

Other names

HLA-B*5701MHC class I antigen B*5701HLA-B*57:01-peptide complexMajor histocompatibility complex, class I, B*57:01

Drugs like abacavir bind non-covalently to the F-pocket of the HLA-B*57:01 peptide-binding groove, altering the chemical environment and the repertoire of self-peptides presented to CD8+ T cells, which triggers a systemic hypersensitivity response.