Visualization of HTLV-1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the spinal cords of patients with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis.

ABSTRACT: Activated human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1)-specific CD8-positive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are markedly increased in the periphery of patients with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), an HTLV-1-induced inflammatory disease of the CNS. Although virus-specific CTLs play a pivotal role to eliminate virus-infected cells, the potential role of HTLV-1-specific CTLs in the pathogenesis of HAM/TSP remains unclear. To address this issue, we evaluated the infiltration of HTLV-1-specific CTLs and the expression of HTLV-1 proteins in the spinal cords of 3 patients with HAM/TSP. Confocal laser scanning microscopy with our unique staining procedure made it possible to visualize HTLV-1-specific CTLs infiltrating the CNS of the HAM/TSP patients. The frequenc

SUBMITTER: Matsuura E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4336315 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature