A molecular-based mechanism for restriction of the leukemic phenotype to the CD4+ T cell subtype was described

08-29-2006

"Human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiologic agent for the development of an aggressive hematologic neoplasia termed adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). Although the virus infects T cell subsets that display either CD4 or CD8 cell surface markers, the leukemic cell is exclusively of the CD4+ subtype," researchers in the United States reported.

"In the article by Sibon et al. in this issue of the JCI, the authors demonstrate that the molecular basis for clonal expansion differs between these 2 infected T cell populations (see the related article beginning on page 974). The molecular events associated with a preleukemic state, such as genomic instability, polynucleation, and cell cycle redistribution, were only observed in CD4+ T cells," explained O.J. Semmes and colleagues, Eastern Virginia Medical School.

The researchers concluded, "This finding provides a molecular-based mechanism for the restriction of the leukemic phenotype to the CD4+ T cell subtype."

Semmes and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Clinical Investigation (Adult T cell leukemia: a tale of two T cells. J Clin Invest, 2006;116(4):858-860).

For additional information, contact O.J. Semmes, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Dept. Microbiology & Molecular Cell Biology, Norfolk, VA 23501, USA.