To investigate the in vivo cellular tropism of human T cell leukemia virus type II (HTLV-II), subpopulations of fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells from infected individuals were isolated and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of provirus. In eight of nine patients, HTLV-II was detected exclusively in the CD8+ T lymphocyte population. In the remaining patient, provirus was also detected in CD4+ T lymphocytes. Provirus was not detected in B lymphocytes or monocytes of any patient. These results suggest that in vivo HTLV-II has a preferential, and perhaps in some cases, an exclusive tropism for CD8+ T lymphocytes. The findings contrast sharply with those on HTLV-I where there is a preferential tropism for CD4+ T lymphocytes. Although HTLV-II infection has not been consistently associated with any lymphoproliferative disorders, the results suggest that if these occur, they may be different from those known to be associated with HTLV-I.
Article|
July 01 1992
In vivo cellular tropism of human T cell leukemia virus type II (HTLV-II).
S Ijichi,
S Ijichi
Division of Infectious Diseases, North Shore University Hospital, Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York 11030.
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M B Ramundo,
M B Ramundo
Division of Infectious Diseases, North Shore University Hospital, Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York 11030.
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H Takahashi,
H Takahashi
Division of Infectious Diseases, North Shore University Hospital, Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York 11030.
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W W Hall
W W Hall
Division of Infectious Diseases, North Shore University Hospital, Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York 11030.
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S Ijichi
Division of Infectious Diseases, North Shore University Hospital, Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York 11030.
M B Ramundo
Division of Infectious Diseases, North Shore University Hospital, Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York 11030.
H Takahashi
Division of Infectious Diseases, North Shore University Hospital, Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York 11030.
W W Hall
Division of Infectious Diseases, North Shore University Hospital, Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York 11030.
Online ISSN: 1540-9538
Print ISSN: 0022-1007
J Exp Med (1992) 176 (1): 293–296.
Citation
S Ijichi, M B Ramundo, H Takahashi, W W Hall; In vivo cellular tropism of human T cell leukemia virus type II (HTLV-II).. J Exp Med 1 July 1992; 176 (1): 293–296. doi: https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.176.1.293
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