The main HTLV-I-harboring cells in the muscles of viral carriers with polymyositis are not macrophages but CD4+ lymphocytes.
We have analyzed muscle biopsy specimens from polymyositis patients who are also positive for human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) using both immunohistochemistry for surface antigens of lymphocytes and macrophages and in situ polymerase chain reaction for HTLV-I proviral DNA on the same sections. We found HTLV-I in CD4+ cells but not in macrophages. This finding suggests that most of the HTLV-I-containing CD4+ cells are not macrophages but lymphocytes.
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Japan. ihiguchi@med6.kufm.kagoshima-u.ac.jp
I
I
Higuchi
K
K
Hashimoto
E
E
Matsuoka
R
R
Rosales
M
M
Nakagawa
K
K
Arimura
S
S
Izumo
M
M
Osame
D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008264:Macrophages / Q000821:virology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D017285:Polymyositis / Q000821:virology*; D011533:Proviruses / Q000235:genetics
D004279:DNA, Viral