Molecular and immunological characteristics in the pathogenesis of tropical spastic paraparesis - HTLV-1 - associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM)

RESUMO

The approach taken by my group to determine viral markers associated with human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) disease induction was to compare viral genomes and host immune responses of HTLV-1 infected patients from one geographical area with a significant incidence rate of TSP/HAM. These studies showed that TSP/HAM patients have higher titers of antibodies against viral antigens and higher proviral and viral load as compared to asymptomatic carriers and adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) patients. Some mutations in the envelope glycoprotein gp62 gene were restricted to Tumaco isolates suggesting that a process of genetic drift acts as a force to maintain those mutations in the population. The mechanism by which HTLV-1 induces TSP/HAM is still unknown; however, there is strong evidence focusing on the problem of pathogenesis of TSP/HAM as an autoimmune process produced via molecular mimicry.