Address of Corresponding Author

Intervirology 2005;48:362-371 (DOI: 10.1159/000086063)

  Key Words

• Mycosis fungoides
• European Russia
• Human T cell leukemia virus
• tax sequences
• Antibodies

  Abstract

Objective: Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most frequent form of cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL). Human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) involvement in MF progression is a matter of debate. The goal of the investigation was to search for HTLV-1 markers in a group of MF patients from a nonendemic area to HTLV-1. Materials and Methods: Fifty MF patients and 60 healthy donors from Moscow and the Moscow region were examined for HTLV-1 markers by Western blot, PCR, nested PCR, PCR/Southern hybridization, TaqMan real-time PCR and sequencing. Results: Plasma samples from MF patients were repeatedly negative for antibodies to HTLV-1 structural proteins. HTLV-1 tax-related sequences (corresponding to the second exon) were found in blood from 20 of 50 MF patients and in 3 of 5 saliva specimens. Three of 8 sequenced tax-like amplimers were identical and 5 of 8 contained 1-2 substitutions. tax transcripts and antibodies to p40^tax were detected in some 'PCR-tax'-positive MF patients. Defective HTLV-1 genomes were demonstrated in 2 of 50 MF patients. Phylogenetic analysis of the defective genome 5'-LTR sequence revealed a relationship with HTLV-1a sequences from the transcontinental subgroup of HTLV-1. Conclusions: HTLV-1 tax-like sequences were revealed in blood and for the first time in saliva from MF patients living in an HTLV-1 nonendemic region. Expression of tax-like sequences was confirmed by both reverse transcription PCR and Western blot.

Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel

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  Author Contacts

Dr. Vladimir Morozov, PhD
Retrovirology, Robert Koch-Institut
Nordufer 20
DE-13353 Berlin (Germany)
Tel. +49 30 45472508, Fax +49 30 45472605, E-Mail Morvlad@hotmail.com

  Article Information

Received: July 29, 2004
Accepted after revision: December 7, 2004
Number of Print Pages : 10
Number of Figures : 5, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 54

  Publication Details

Intervirology (International Journal of Basic and Medical Virology)

Vol. 48, No. 6, Year 2005 (Cover Date: November-December 2005)

Journal Editor: Liebert, U.G. (Leipzig)
ISSN: 0300-5526 (print), 1423-0100 (Online)

For additional information: http://www.karger.com/int

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