HLA restriction of carbamazepine-specific T-cell clones from an HLA-A*31:01-positive hypersensitive patient

HLA-A*31:01 is associated with carbamazepine (CBZ) hypersensitivity in Caucasian and Japanese populations. Herein, we show that HLA-A*31:01+ restricted the activation of carbamazepine-specific CD8+ T-cells, which provides an immunological basis for the genetic association. Furthermore, CD4+ T-cells were activated with carbamazepine in a HLA-DRB1*04:04-restricted manner, indicating that a common HLA haplotype may contribute to the multiclonal T-cell response seen in European patients with CBZ hypersensitivity.