In vivo cellular tropism of human T cell leukemia virus type II (HTLV-II).
To investigate the in vivo cellular tropism of human T cell leukemia virus type II (HTLV-II), subpopulations of fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells from infected individuals were isolated and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of provirus. In eight of nine patients, HTLV-II was detected exclusively in the CD8+ T lymphocyte population. In the remaining patient, provirus was also detected in CD4+ T lymphocytes. Provirus was not detected in B lymphocytes or monocytes of any patient. These results suggest that in vivo HTLV-II has a preferential, and perhaps in some cases, an exclusive tropism for CD8+ T lymphocytes. The findings contrast sharply with those on HTLV-I where there is a preferential tropism for CD4+ T lymphocytes. Although HTLV-II infection has not been consistently associated with any lymphoproliferative disorders, the results suggest that if these occur, they may be different from those known to be associated with HTLV-I.
Ijichi
S
S
Division of Infectious Diseases, North Shore University Hospital, Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York 11030.
Ramundo
M B
MB
Takahashi
H
H
Hall
W W
WW
D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000382:microbiology; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D015367:Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011533:Proviruses / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000382:microbiology*
D016827:CD8 Antigens