Induction of galectin-1 expression by HTLV-I Tax and its impact on HTLV-I infectivity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cell-free Human T-cell Leukemia Virus type I (HTLV-I) virions are poorly infectious and cell-to-cell contact is often required to achieve infection. Other factors might thus importantly contribute in increasing infection by HTLV-I. Galectin-1 is a galactoside-binding lectin which is secreted by activated T lymphocytes. Several functions have been attributed to this protein including its capacity to increase cell-to-cell adhesion. Based on previous studies, we postulated that this protein could also accentuate HTLV-I infection.

Results

Herein, we demonstrate that galectin-1 expression and release are higher in HTLV-I-infected T cells in comparison to uninfected T cells. Furthermore, galectin-1 expression was activated in various cell lines expressing the wild type

SUBMITTER: Gauthier S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2613925 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature