[Viral Tax protein expression in salivary glands of patients infected with human t-cell lymphotropic virus type I and Sicca Syndrome].

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is a retrovirus that influences cellular metabolism modifying biological responses. This results in oncogenic, degenerative or inflammatory changes. The myelopathy associated to HTLV-I or tropical spastic paraparesia (HAM/TSP) is a mainly degenerative response to the virus infection. On the other hand, Sjögren syndrome has an inflammatory appearance. The immunohistochemical study of CD-4, CD-8 and CD45 lymphocytes, metalloproteinase MMP-9 and viral Tax protein in pathological samples of salivary glands may help to differentiate primary from viral Sicca syndrome.

AIM:

To perform an immunohistochemical study of salivary glands of patients with HAM/TSP and Sicca syndrome and control subjects.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Pathological samples of salivary glands from 53 patients with HAM/TSP and Sicca syndrome and 10 control subjects, were studied. Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies against CD-4, CD-8 and CD-45 lymphocytes, metalloproteinase MMP-9 and viral Tax protein.

RESULTS:

Only in patients with HAM/TSP and Sicca syndrome, the presence of Tax protein was observed in CD-4 and CD-8 lymphocytes and in glandular acini.

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients infected with HTLV-I express Tax protein in salivary glands. This finding has diagnostic and pathogenic implications.

• Authors: Luis Cartier, Carmen Vergara, Eugenio Ramírez
• Journal: Revista medica de Chile (Rev Med Chil) Vol. 133 Issue 10 Pg. 1183-90 (Oct 2005) ISSN: 0034-9887 [Print] Chile
• Vernacular Title: Proteína Tax (HTLV-I), probable factor patogénico y marcador del síndrome sicca que se asocia a HAM/TSP.
• PMID: 16341369 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antigens, Viral
• Gene Products, tax

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antigens, Viral (analysis)
• Biopsy
• Female
• Gene Expression
• Gene Products, tax (analysis)
• Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (immunology)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell (immunology, pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Salivary Glands (pathology)
• Sjogren's Syndrome (immunology, pathology)