title: HTLV infection and the eye.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) is the first discovered retrovirus causing malignancy in human. HTLV infection affects host's ocular tolerance and causes various diseases in the eye. Here we discuss the manifestations, mechanisms, treatments, and future directions of HTLV-related ocular diseases. RECENT FININGS: Recent serological researches showed that the number of HTLV-1 carriers in metropolitan area was increasing, although seroprevalence of HTLV-1 in general population was decreased after screening serological tests in blood donors started. The most common clinical entity of uveitis was still HTLV-1 uveitis in HTLV-1 highly endemic area, but prevalence of HTLV-1 uveitis varies in different parts of the world. As for treatment of inflammation, tacrolimus and 5-azacytidine were reported to be effective for autoimmune manifestations in HTLV-1-related overlap syndrome (deratomyositis/Sjogren's syndrome) and HTLV-1-related myelodysplastic syndrome. Interleukin-2 receptor targeted therapies improved scleritis in patients with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma caused by HTLV-1. Basic researches identified that HTLV-1 tax and HTLV-1 basic leucine zipper factor play critical roles in the HTLV-1-related disease and are now being investigated as targeted therapies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Development of modern molecular biology makes it possible to reveal deep insights of HTLV-1-related ocular diseases. Although effective therapies based on basic researches have been reported, further endeavor is necessary to establish much more specific treatments of the ocular diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Koju
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kamoi
authors.forename: Manabu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mochizuki
mesh_terms: D001374:Azacitidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007638:Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D015459:Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014605:Uveitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001374:Azacitidine; D016559:Tacrolimus