Differential susceptibility of human mononuclear cells to infection with HTLV-I

Infection with human T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (HTLV-I) preferentially affects T cells of the OKT-4 phenotype. The aim of the present study was to determine whether distinct T-cell subsets exhibit differences in susceptibility to virus infection. T cells from peripheral blood were separated according to cell densities by 7-step Percoll gradients. Separated T-cell subpopulations were infected with HTLV-I, using cocultivation with irradiated virus producer MT-2 cell line. Percentages of HTLV-I-infected cells and their phenotypes were assayed by immunofluorescence assay (IFA), using highly specific mouse monoclonal antibody directed against HTLV-I P-19 core protein, and other surface markers. The results showed that different T-cell subpopulations were susceptible to HTLV-I infection with the exception of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) which exhibit high cell-mediated natural cytotoxicity (CMNC).