Mystery of Human T-cell Leukemia Virus Type 1: Commentary on Two Viral Genes, Tax and HBZ

Abstract

SummaryTwo viral genes of human T cell leukemia virus type 1, Tax and HBZ, are the focus of current research that aims to understand the oncogenic mechanisms of adult T cell leukemia, which is induced by viral infection. Tax is considered to play critical roles in tumorigenesis by modulating various cellular phenotypes, and the anti-sense gene HBZ was recently reported to counteract various functions of Tax. However, HBZ itself may also play critical roles in tumorigenesis. In this short commentary, I have summarized these apparent paradoxes and discussed the limitations of the mechanisms proposed. It will be critically important to understand the protein levels of HBZ in infected cells and the mode of action of its RNA.

CD30+ Cells in Lung of Indolent Type Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma and Elevated Serum Levels of Soluble CD30 Associated with Acute Crisis and Relapse of Disease

“…The same right lung was involved at relapse, suggesting that there was microenvironment or minimum residual disease in the right lung. In the lung, Tax, a trans-activator of the HTLV-1 genome and cellular genes, is preferentially expressed in HTLV-1-infected cells [14,15], and the CD30 and CD30 ligand interaction plays an important role in inflammation [16,17]. Therefore, a sustained high level of sCD30 may be associated with Tax expression and pulmonary involvement of ATLL.…”