Journal article
HTLV-I Tax Protein Functions As An Intra- And Extra-Cellular Modulator Of Viral Replication And Immune Cell Function
AIDS research and human retroviruses, Vol.21(5), pp.449-449
01 May 2005
Abstract
The HTLV-I Tax protein is known as a transcriptional transactivator and inducer of oncogenic transformation through its interaction with cellular transcription machinery. Experimental observations have suggested cellular transcription factors such as C/EBP, Sp1/Sp3 and AP-1 modulate HTLV-I LTR basal activity and Tax-mediated transactivation in differentiated lymphoid dendritic cells (DCs) and cells of the monocyte/macro-phage lineage. It has also become increasingly evident that cytoplasmic Tax likely plays an important role in HTLV-I pathogenesis. We have reported that Tax contains a leucine rich nuclear export signal that can direct nuclear export via the CRM-1 pathway. Additional studies have identified several cellular secretory proteins that may facilitate Tax secretion. To establish the function of Tax as extracellular mediator of immune response, we have demonstrated that purified Tax enhances the expression of dendritic cell (DC) markers associated with activation and maturation. It also induces the secretion of Th1 cytokines and?-chemokines from DCs that is a key to initiate an immune response. Overall these investigations suggest that Tax may be secreted from HTLV-1-infected cells and act as an extracellular cytokine, be internalized and processed for presentation, and/or be transported to nucleus where it may act as a transcriptional activator.
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Details
- Title
- HTLV-I Tax Protein Functions As An Intra- And Extra-Cellular Modulator Of Viral Replication And Immune Cell Function
- Creators
- B Wigdahl
- Publication Details
- AIDS research and human retroviruses, Vol.21(5), pp.449-449
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Identifiers
- 991019170121804721