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Expression of parathyroid hormone-related protein in a human T cell lymphotrophic virus type I-infected T cell line
T Motokura1, S Fukumoto, S Takahashi
1Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, University of Tokyo School of Medicine, Japan.
Abstract:
We analyzed human T cell lymphotrophic virus type I (HTLV-I)-infected T cells for the presence of mRNA coding for parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) by Northern blotting using synthetic DNA probes. We report here that PTHrP mRNAs were detected in a HTLV-I-infected T cell line, MT-2, but not in uninfected T cell or B cell lines, and that PTH-like bioactivity was detected only in the conditioned medium of MT-2 cells. Our study suggests that the pathophysiology of hypercalcemia in patients with adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma may resemble that which occurs with solid tumors.
Insights
Human T cell lymphotrophic virus type I (HTLV-I) infection in T cells leads to parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) mRNA production. This suggests a mechanism for hypercalcemia in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma similar to solid tumors.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) is a malignancy of mature T lymphocytes.
- Hypercalcemia is a common and serious complication in ATL patients.
- The exact mechanisms causing hypercalcemia in ATL are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) in HTLV-I-infected T cells.
- To determine if PTHrP production contributes to hypercalcemia in ATL.
Main Methods:
- Northern blotting was used to detect PTHrP mRNA in HTLV-I-infected and uninfected T and B cell lines.
- Bioassays were performed on conditioned media to detect PTH-like activity.
Main Results:
- PTHrP mRNA was detected in the HTLV-I-infected MT-2 T cell line.
- PTHrP mRNA was not found in uninfected T or B cell lines.
- PTH-like bioactivity was present in the conditioned medium of MT-2 cells.
Conclusions:
- HTLV-I infection can induce PTHrP expression in T cells.
- PTHrP production by HTLV-I-infected T cells may be a mechanism for hypercalcemia in ATL.
- The pathophysiology of hypercalcemia in ATL may be similar to that observed in solid tumors.