Virus-induced RGMa expression drives neurodegeneration in HTLV-1-associated myelopathy.

ABSTRACT: Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1-associated (HTLV-1-associated) myelopathy (HAM, also known as tropical spastic paraparesis) is a rare neurodegenerative disease with largely elusive molecular mechanisms, impeding targeted therapeutic advancements. This study aimed to identify the critical molecule responsible for neuronal damage in HAM, its source, and the regulatory mechanisms controlling its expression. Utilizing patient-derived cells and established cell lines, we discovered that HTLV-1 Tax, in conjunction with specificity protein 1 (Sp1), enhanced the expression of repulsive guidance molecule A (RGMa), a protein known to contribute to neuronal damage. RGMa expression was specifically upregulated in HTLV-1-infected cells from patients with HAM, particularly in those expressing HTLV-1 T

SUBMITTER: Araya N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12220939 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature