Increased activated human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) Tax11-19-specific memory and effector CD8+ cells in patients with HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis: correlation with HTLV-I provirus load

J Infect Dis. 2001 Jan 15;183(2):197-205. doi: 10.1086/317932. Epub 2000 Dec 15.

Abstract

To discern the T cell subtype associated with T cell differentiation, the expression of CD45RA and CD27 was measured from total CD8(high) cells and from human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) Tax11-19 peptide-specific CD8(+) cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Phenotypically defined memory and/or effector cells (CD45RA(-)CD27(+), CD45RA(+)CD27(-), and CD45RA(-)CD27(-)) were increased in HAM/TSP CD8(+) cells, compared with those of HTLV-I-seronegative healthy control subjects. The percentage of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR-positive cells was also increased in CD8(+) cells of HAM/TSP, compared with those in HLA-DR(+)CD8(+) cells of healthy control subjects. HTLV-I provirus load correlated with the frequency of Tax11-19-specific CD8(+) cells. The high frequency of memory and/or effector type HTLV-I Tax11-19-specific CD8(+) cells suggests that continuous restimulation driven by HTLV-I antigens in vivo may be associated with the pathogenesis of HAM/TSP.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / classification
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic
  • DNA, Viral / blood
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Products, tax / chemistry
  • Gene Products, tax / immunology*
  • HLA-A2 Antigen / analysis
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / genetics
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / immunology
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / isolation & purification
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / metabolism
  • Immunologic Memory*
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens / analysis
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / immunology*
  • Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / physiopathology
  • Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / virology
  • Peptides / chemical synthesis
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / immunology
  • Perforin
  • Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins
  • Proviruses
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7 / analysis
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • DNA, Viral
  • Gene Products, tax
  • HLA-A2 Antigen
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Peptides
  • Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7
  • Perforin
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens