HTLV-1 HBZ Protein Resides Exclusively in the Cytoplasm of Infected Cells in Asymptomatic Carriers and HAM/TSP Patients

In conclusion, we believe that the data presented in this research add new relevant information for a better definition of the pathological states associated with HTLV-1 infection, particularly in relation to the distinct subcellular expression of HBZ in the different pathological contests and related pathologies. Whether HBZ cytoplasmic and nuclear localization in the natural history of HTLV-1 infection represents a marker of infection or is part of the mechanism governing the evolution toward HAM/TSP or ATL is the challenge for future investigation. Author Contributions GF, MB, and RA conceived the work. GF, MB, and AT performed the experiments. All authors wrote, revised, and approved the final manuscript. Funding This research was supported by University of Insubria “FAR 2016 and 2017” (to RA and GF); by The Institutional Grant 2017, University of Insubria, to RA; and in part by European Community FP7 Grant no. 602893 “Cancer Vaccine Development for Hepatocellular Carcinoma-HepaVAC” http://www.hepavac.eu (to RA and GF). This research was also supported in part by the Intramural Research Program of the NINDS, NIH to SJ. The support of the NIH inpatient and outpatient neurology staff is acknowledged. 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 Araya, N., Sato, T., Ando...
Source: Frontiers in Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research