HLA class I alleles in HTLV-1-associated myelopathy and asymptomatic carriers from the Brazilian cohort GIPH

摘要

Introduction and objectives The development of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM/TSP) in HTLV-1-infected individuals is probably a multi-factor event, in which the immune system plays a crucial role. The efficiency of the host immunity seems to be one of the in vivo determining factors of the proviral load levels and is regulated by genes associated with MHC class I alleles (HLA). Protection or predisposition to HTLV-1-associated diseases according to individual HLA profile was shown in Japanese studies. The present work tested for HLA alleles previously related to protection or susceptibility to HTLV-1-associated myelopathy in a cohort study (GIPH) from Brazil.