Neuroimmunology of Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 1-Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis

Conclusion Recent advances in research on HTLV-1 provide better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis and mechanisms of HAM/TSP, and several clinical trials of novel therapies for patients with HAM/TSP have been initiated. However, long-term improvement of motor disability and quality of life still have not been achieved in HAM/TSP patients, and the clinical management remains challenging. Given that HAM/TSP is characterized by activated T-cells in both the periphery and CNS, studies in HAM/TSP will be highly informative for clarifying the pathogenesis of other neuroinflammatory disorders such as multiple sclerosis. Novel approaches will be required to better define host-virus interactions and host immune response underlying the pathogenesis of HAM/TSP. Author Contributions SN wrote the manuscript, and SJ supervised and contributed to the discussion and writing. Funding SN was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science – JSPS-NIH Research Fellowship Program. Conflict of Interest Statement The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Abdelbary, N. H., Abdullah, H. M., Matsuzaki, T., Hayashi, D., Tanaka, Y., Takashima, H., et al. (2011). Reduced Tim-3 expression on human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) Tax-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in HTLV-I infection. J. Infect. Dis. 20...
Source: Frontiers in Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research