Elevated levels of soluble adhesion molecules in sera and BAL fluid of individuals infected with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1.
OBJECTIVE
T-lymphocytic alveolitis and increased levels of interleukin-2 receptor-alpha (CD25)-bearing T cells in the BAL fluid (BALF) of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) carriers have been reported. Several chemokines and adhesion molecules may contribute to the accumulation of T lymphocytes in the lungs of HTLV-1 carriers. To clarify the correlation between adhesion molecules and HTLV-1-associated pulmonary disorders, we compared the distribution of T-lymphocyte subsets and soluble adhesion molecules, including soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM)-1, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble L-selectin (sL-selectin), soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin), and soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin), in BALF and peripheral blood, between HTLV-1 carriers and noninfected healthy subjects.


METHODS
Flow cytometric analysis with monoclonal antibodies to cell-surface antigens was used to identify T-lymphocyte subsets in BALF samples from HTLV-1 carriers (n = 13) and noninfected healthy control subjects (n = 10). The levels of various soluble adhesion molecules in serum and in BALF were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
Higher percentages of CD3+ cells, CD3-expressing human leukocyte antigen-DR antigen, and CD3+CD25+ cells were detected in the BALF of HTLV-1 carriers than in that of noninfected control subjects. The concentrations of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sL-selectin, SE- selectin, and sP-selectin in the sera of patients were significantly higher than those in noninfected healthy control subjects. The concentration of sICAM-1 in the BALF of patients was significantly higher than that in noninfected healthy control subjects, and the concentration of sICAM-1 correlated well with the percentage of CD3+CD25+ cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The concentrations of adhesion molecules in the sera of and sICAM-1 in the BALF of HTLV-1 carriers were significantly higher than those in noninfected individuals, and the concentration of sICAM-1 correlated well with the percentage of CD3+CD25+ cells in BALF. Our results suggest a possible interaction between activated T cells bearing CD25 and soluble adhesion molecules, especially sICAM-1, which may contribute to the pulmonary involvement in HTLV-1 carriers.
Seki
M
M
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Nagasaki, Japan.
Higashiyama
Y
Y
Kadota
J
J
Mukae
H
H
Yanagihara
K
K
Tomono
K
K
Kohno
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D002353:Carrier State / Q000378:metabolism; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D019087:Selectins / Q000032:analysis; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis
D017252:CD3 Complex; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D019087:Selectins; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1