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Identification of human T cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type I antibodies, DNA, and protein in patients with
M P Sherman1, R M Amin, P E Rodgers-Johnson
1State University of New York Health Science Center, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.
Objective:
To investigate a possible association between human T cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type I (HTLV-I) and polymyositis (PM).
Methods:
Sera and muscle biopsy samples from 9 Jamaican PM patients were compared with specimens from American HTLV-I-positive PM patients and normal controls. Sera were evaluated for HTLV antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot. The biopsy samples were analyzed for HTLV-I/II DNA by polymerase chain reaction and were also immunohistochemically stained for HTLV gp46 envelope protein.
Results:
Seven of the 8 Jamaican PM patients from whom sera were available were HTLV-I seropositive. The muscle biopsies of all 9 Jamaican patients demonstrated severe lymphocytic infiltration, cellular degeneration, myofiber atrophy, and fibrosis. Each muscle biopsy specimen contained HTLV-I DNA. Two of 6 samples demonstrated intense staining for HTLV-I gp46 in many of the invading mononuclear cells and weak staining for HTLV-I gp46 in many of the invading mononuclear cells and weak staining in the adjacent myocytes. Two other specimens were weakly positive for gp46 in rare mononuclear cells. All control specimens were negative for the presence of HTLV-I DNA and protein.
Conclusion:
HTLV-I is associated with an inflammatory muscle disease characterized by direct invasion of the affected muscle by HTLV-I-infected mononuclear cells.
Insights
Human T cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type I (HTLV-I) is linked to polymyositis (PM). HTLV-I infected cells directly invade muscles in this inflammatory condition.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Neurology
Background:
- Polymyositis (PM) is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy.
- The role of viral infections in PM pathogenesis remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a potential association between human T cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type I (HTLV-I) and polymyositis (PM).
Main Methods:
- Sera and muscle biopsies from Jamaican PM patients were analyzed for HTLV-I.
- Tests included enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot, polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry for HTLV-I antibodies and DNA.
- Specimens were compared to American HTLV-I-positive PM patients and normal controls.
Main Results:
- HTLV-I seropositivity was found in 7 of 8 Jamaican PM patients.
- All 9 Jamaican patients' muscle biopsies showed severe inflammation and contained HTLV-I DNA.
- HTLV-I envelope protein (gp46) was detected in invading mononuclear cells and adjacent myocytes in some samples.
Conclusions:
- HTLV-I is associated with an inflammatory muscle disease resembling polymyositis.
- The findings suggest direct invasion of affected muscle tissue by HTLV-I-infected mononuclear cells.