Detection of HTLV-1 proviral DNA in BM mononuclear cells and cultured mesenchymal stromal cells isolated from patients with HTLV-1 infection

• Published in: Virology (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 519; pp. 145 - 155
• Main Authors: Rodrigues, Evandra Strazza, do Carmo Favarin, Maria, de Macedo, Mayra Dorigan, Otaguiri, Katia Kaori, Orellana, Maristela Delgado, Takayanagui, Osvaldo Massaiti, Palma, Patrícia Vianna Bonini, Slavov, Svetoslav Nanev, Covas, Dimas Tadeu, Kashima, Simone
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.06.2018
• Subjects: HTLV-1; Human mesenchymal stromal cell; MSC; Provirus; Virus infection; Human mesenchymal stromal cell; Virus infection; HTLV-1; MSC; Provirus
• ISSN: 0042-6822; 1096-0341
• DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2018.04.014

The bone marrow (BM) biology during HTLV-1 infection is obscure. In this study, we investigated BM mononuclear cells and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) from HTLV-1 asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals. An infiltration of CD4+ T-cell lymphocytes in the BM of HTLV-1-infected individuals was observed when compared to healthy controls. The provirus detection in the BM CD4+ T cells confirmed the presence of integrated HTLV DNA. In regard to MSC, we observed that the number of fibroblast progenitor cells was lower in HTLV-1 infected individuals than in healthy controls. Isolated HTLV-1 infected BM-MSC demonstrated surface expression markers and in vitro differentiation potential similar to uninfected individuals. The presence of HTLV-1 proviral DNA in the BM-MSC of HTLV-1-infected patients was demonstrated but no p19 antigen was detected in supernatant from cultured MSC. We suppose that HTLV-1 infects human MSC probably by cell-to-cell contact from the infected CD4+ T-lymphocytes infiltrated into the bone marrow. •The number of CD4+ T cells is higher in bone marrow of HTLV-1-symptomatic infected individuals when compared to healthy controls.•The bone marrow of HTLV-1-infected individuals showed Tax-expressing CD4+ T cells.•Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) frequency to form fibroblast progenitors was significantly lower in bone marrow cells obtained from HTLV-1 infected patients.•MSC isolated from BM of HTLV-1-infected individuals contained HTLV-1 provirus.