HTLV-1 Protein Stimulates Lymphocyte Proliferation

Researchers have shown that the p12 protein, which is encoded by a gene introduced into lymphocytes by invading lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), stimulates cell division and proliferation, which aids the transmission of the virus from cell to cell.

Investigators at Ohio State University (Columbus, USA) used a viral vector to insert the p12 gene into Jurkat T-cells and normal human T lymphocytes growing in tissue culture. Activation of the genes initiated production of p12 and interleukin 2 (IL-2). After several days, the treated Jukat T-cells produced twice the level of IL-2 compared to control cells, and the treated normal lymphocytes produced levels six-fold higher than controls. These findings were published in the October 15, 2003, issue of the Journal of Virology.

"A similar two-to-six fold increase in IL-2 production by infected T-cells during normal HTLV-1 infection in the body would lead to a significant increase in lymphocyte numbers in the blood,” explained senior author Dr. Michael D. Lairmore, professor of molecular virology at Ohio State University. "Our findings help explain why lymphocytes divide and proliferate in people following HTLV-1 infection. The findings also support the view that this virus replicates mainly by causing infected cells to divide and proliferate rather than by generating more virus particles.”



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