Selective HLA Class II Allele-Restricted Activation of Atabecestat Metabolite-Specific Human T-Cells

Elevations in hepatic enzymes were detected in several trial patients exposed to the Alzheimer’s drug atabecestat, which resulted in termination of the drug development program. Characterization of hepatic T-lymphocyte infiltrates and diaminothiazine (DIAT) metabolite-responsive, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR-restricted, CD4+ T-lymphocytes in the blood of patients confirmed an immune pathogenesis. Patients with immune-mediated liver injury expressed a restricted panel of HLA-DRB1 alleles including HLA-DRB1*12:01, HLA-DRB1*13:02, and HLA-DRB1*15:01. Thus, the objectives of this study were to (i) generate DIAT-responsive T-cell clones from HLA-genotyped drug-naive donors, (ii) characterize pathways of DIAT-specific T-cell activation, and (iii) assess HLA allele restriction of the DIAT-specific T-cell response. Sixteen drug-naive donors expressing the HLA-DR molecules outlined above were recruited, and T-cell clones were generated. Cellular phenotype, function, and HLA-allele restriction were assessed using culture assays. Peptides displayed by HLA class II molecules in the presence and absence of atabecestat were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Several DIAT-responsive CD4+ clones, displaying no reactivity toward the parent drug, were successfully generated from donors expressing HLA-DRB1*12:01, HLA-DRB1*13:02, and HLA-DRB1*15:01 but not from other donors expressing other HLA-DRB1 alleles. T-cell clones were activated following direct binding of DIAT to HLA-DR proteins expressed on the surface of antigen presenting cells. DIAT binding did not alter the HLA-DRB1 peptide binding repertoire, indicative of a binding interaction with the HLA-associated peptide rather than with the HLA protein itself. DIAT-specific T-cell responses displayed HLA-DRB1*12:01, HLA-DRB1*13:02, and HLA-DRB1*15:01 restriction. These data demonstrate that DIAT displays a degree of selectivity toward HLA protein and associated peptides, with expression of certain alleles increasing and that of others decreasing, the likelihood that a drug-specific T-cell response develops.