Summary auto-generated
This study investigates whether choroid plexus cells, which line the brain's ventricles, can be infected by human T cell leukaemia virus type I (HTLV-I). Using primary cultures of sheep choroid plexus cells, researchers demonstrated that these cells can be productively infected with HTLV-I through coculture with virus-containing T cells. Infected choroid plexus cells formed characteristic multinucleated syncytia and produced viral particles detectable by electron microscopy and p24 antigen assays for up to 40 days post-infection. The virus expressed tax-rex mRNA and viral antigens within infected cells, confirmed by in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence. Notably, infected choroid plexus cells successfully transmitted infectious virus to human cord blood T cells, establishing that productive viral replication occurred. In contrast, sheep fibroblasts showed syncytia formation but no productive infection. These findings suggest that choroid plexus cells may serve as a portal for HTLV-I entry into the central nervous system, potentially contributing to neurological complications like tropical spastic paraparesis observed in infected patients.
Key findings
- Primary sheep choroid plexus cell cultures can be productively infected with HTLV-I, forming syncytia and producing viral particles for 40 days
- HTLV-I replicates in choroid plexus cells as evidenced by detection of tax-rex mRNA, viral antigens, and p24 protein in culture medium
- Infected choroid plexus cells serve as a source of infectious virus capable of transmitting HTLV-I to human cord blood T cells
- Choroid plexus cells may represent an important route for HTLV-I entry into the central nervous system and cerebrospinal fluid
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Abstract
Very little is known about the factors that determine the outcome of infection by human T cell leukaemia virus type I (HTLV-I) and the neurotropism of this virus is still a controversial point. In transgenic mice, the HTLV-I LTR is active mainly in the central nervous system (CNS), in parenchyma as well as in ependymal and choroid plexus cells. The latter are of particular interest and could represent the way of entry of the virus into the CNS. In this study we show that primary cultures of sheep choroid plexus can be infected with HTLV-I, leading to characteristic multinucleated syncytial cells containing virus RNA and proteins. HTLV-I p24 Gag protein was detected in the culture medium and the presence of virus particles was observed by electron microscopy 40 days after infection. At this time post- infection HTLV-I could be transmitted to human cord blood cells.