title: Plasma proteome analysis in HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human T lymphotropic virus Type 1 (HTLV-1) causes a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system known as HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM) which resembles chronic spinal forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The pathogenesis of HAM remains uncertain. To aid in the differential diagnosis of HAM and to identify pathogenetic mechanisms, we analysed the plasma proteome in asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers (ACs), patients with HAM, uninfected controls, and patients with MS. We used surface-enhanced laser desorption-ionization (SELDI) mass spectrometry to analyse the plasma proteome in 68 HTLV-1-infected individuals (in two non-overlapping sets, each comprising 17 patients with HAM and 17 ACs), 16 uninfected controls, and 11 patients with secondary progressive MS. Candidate biomarkers were identified by tandem Q-TOF mass spectrometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The concentrations of three plasma proteins--high [β2-microglobulin], high [Calgranulin B], and low [apolipoprotein A2]--were specifically associated with HAM, independently of proviral load. The plasma [β2-microglobulin] was positively correlated with disease severity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that monocytes are activated by contact with activated endothelium in HAM. Using β2-microglobulin and Calgranulin B alone we derive a diagnostic algorithm that correctly classified the disease status (presence or absence of HAM) in 81% of HTLV-1-infected subjects in the cohort.
authors: Department of Immunology, Wright-Fleming Institute, Imperial College, London W2 1PG, UK.
authors: Paul D W
authors: PD
authors: Kirk
authors: Aviva
authors: A
authors: Witkover
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Courtney
authors: Alexandra M
authors: AM
authors: Lewin
authors: Robin
authors: R
authors: Wait
authors: Michael P H
authors: MP
authors: Stumpf
authors: Sylvia
authors: S
authors: Richardson
authors: Graham P
authors: GP
authors: Taylor
authors: Charles R M
authors: CR
authors: Bangham
mesh_terms: D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002353:Carrier State / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000821:virology; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015493:Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / Q000097:blood* / Q000821:virology; D010949:Plasma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D020543:Proteome / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D020543:Proteome