Immunopathogenesis of HTLV-1-assoaciated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP)

Hellen Thais Fuzii; George Alberto da Silva Dias; Rodrigo Jose Saraiva de Barros; Luiz Fabio Magno Falcão; Juarez Antonio Simoes Quaresma

doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2014.03.025

Immunopathogenesis of HTLV-1-assoaciated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP)

Life Sci. 2014 May 28;104(1-2):9-14. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2014.03.025. Epub 2014 Apr 3.

Authors

Hellen Thais Fuzii¹, George Alberto da Silva Dias¹, Rodrigo Jose Saraiva de Barros¹, Luiz Fabio Magno Falcão², Juarez Antonio Simoes Quaresma³

Affiliations

¹ Immunopathology Laboratory of the Center of Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
² Immunopathology Laboratory of the Center of Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil; Center of Biological and Health Sciences, University of the State of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil.
³ Immunopathology Laboratory of the Center of Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil; Center of Biological and Health Sciences, University of the State of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil. Electronic address: juarez@pesquisador.cnpq.br.

PMID: 24704970
DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2014.03.025

Abstract

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is associated with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Only a limited percentage of infected individuals develop disease in response to the virus while the majority remain asymptomatic, and HAM/TSP is the most common clinical manifestation of the virus. HAM/TSP is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS); however, the mechanism by which HTLV-1 induces HAM/TSP is not yet clear. CD4(+) T lymphocytes are the main reservoirs of HTLV-1 in vivo and perform an important role in the immunological response to this retrovirus. This virus-host interaction may provoke changes in the immunological response, such as the enhanced production of inflammatory cytokines and the spontaneous proliferation of T CD4(+) lymphocytes, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of HAM/TSP.

Keywords: Clinical aspects; HTLV; Immunology; Immunopathology.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
Cell Proliferation
Central Nervous System / metabolism
Cytokines / metabolism
Human T-lymphotropic virus 1*
Humans
Immune System
Inflammation
Leukemia, T-Cell / virology
Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / immunology*
Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / virology*

Substances

Cytokines