Decreased GATA3 mRNA expression in human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection

GATA3 is a specific T-cell transcription factor involved in the expression of T-cell receptor (TCR). In order to characterize the relationship between HTLV-I infection, which has been reported to he associated with down-regul ation of genes belonging to the TCR/CD3 complex, and the transcription fact or GATA3, we evaluated, by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, the expression of GATA 3 gene in HTLV-1 carriers and individuals with related diseases. The study included 4 asymptomatic carriers, 2 patients with adult T-cell leukaemia/ly mphoma (ATLL), 1 patient with HTLV-1 associated myelopathy (HAM)/tropical s pastic paraparesis (TSP) and 7 healthy blood donors. A considerable decreas e in the expression of the GATA3 mRNA was observed in all subjects infected by HTLV-1 and no expression of GATA3 mRNA was observed in 1 subject with A TLL and in 1 with HAM/TSP.