High production of RANTES and MIP-1α in the tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM)

Human T cell lymphotropic, virus type I (HTLV-1) infection is associated with progressive neurological disorders and tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV- I -associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM). The pathogenesis of TSP/HAM is considered as imirume mediated, involving cytotoxic T cell (CTL) responses to a number of viral proteins and notably the regulation protein Tax. T CD8+ cells produce beta-chemokines, which are important in the anti-viral response. In the present study, we have analyzed the CC chemokines (RANTES, MIP-1 beta and MIP- I alpha) production in retrovirus-infected subjects. A total of 191 subjects were studied: 52 healthy controls, 72 asymptornatic HTLV-1-infected carriers and 67 TSP/ HAM patients. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were maintained in the presence or absence of PHA, and supernatant fluids were assayed using EIA. MIP-1 beta concentration was not significantly different across groups, but RANTES and MIP-1 alpha concentrations showed significant differences when the three groups were compared. In TSP/HAM patients, the increase in the production of chemokines may lead to a recruitment of proinflammatory factors, contributing to the membrane's myelin damage. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.