CADM1 Overexpression and CD7 Downregulation in Strongyloides stercoralis and HTLV-1 Coinfection as Possible Markers for Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma progression

摘要

Background Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus endemic in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Increasing numbers are being reported in the United States. HTLV-1 causes Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATL) in 3–5% of HTLV-1 carriers, usually only after a prolonged latent period. Co-infection with the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis (SS) is associated with early onset of ATL. The exact mechanism by which SS accelerates ATL development in HTLV-1 subjects is not understood. CADM1 has been recently identified as a surface marker of HTLV-1 infected cells; CD7 is a probable marker of early cell transformation. We hypothesize that previous SS infection will increase the proportion of infected T cells (CADM1+) and lead to transformation of infected cells (CADM1+CD7low) in HTLV-1 subjects.