Human T-cell leukemia virus: its discovery and role in leukemogenesis and immunosuppression.

摘要: We have highlighted the events leading to discovery of first human RNA tumor virus and then reviewed what is currently known about its biology. From this, it clear that we only begun appreciate biologic diversity, geographic distribution, disease spectrum this family T-lymphotropic retroviruses which collectively term HTLV. At a basic level, HTLV provides unique opportunity study in vitro vivo mechanisms cell transformation. Given close association with adult T-cell leukemia ability efficiently immortalize primary cells vitro, believe will very likely harbor clues biology growth, differentiation, more clinical between malignancy clonally expanded (HTLV-containing) mature T-cells argues strongly for causal relationship, although mechanism such unknown. It further molecular cellular bring together these findings elucidate, at least part, one leukemogenesis. speculative viewpoint, role pathogenesis appears even broader. As discussed chapter, there are indications all subtypes may produce immunosuppression both vivo, now exciting new data suggest novel member viruses, HTLV-III, causally linked AIDS syndrome. Moreover, possibility has been raised immunosuppressive properties could predispose patients non-T-cell malignancies as occurs or chemically induced immunosuppression. Finally, by employing experimental strategies were successful isolating HTLV-I, HTLV-II, be possible future identify still other retroviruses.