Human T-cell leukemia virus types I (HTLV-I) and II (HTLV-II) are the causative agents of specific forms of leukemia/lymphomas in man. Much is known about the genetic structure and function of viral gene products and the role they play in viral replication and transformation in vitro. However, little is known about the processes which, over a relatively long latent period and in only a small proportion of individuals, result in leukemia. A complete understanding of the pathogenesis of the virus in man requires development of suitable experimental model systems. Here we design specific approaches to address the pathogenesis of HTLV in vivo.
The Aims are: 1) to characterize HTLV-I- and II-infected cells in the peripheral blood of patients and asymptomatic carriers by FACS, in conjunction with RNA and DNA PCR; 2) to develop experimental animal model systems to investigate the pathogenesis of HTLV-I and -II utilizing the SCID mouse; and 3) to determine the role HTLV genes play in infectivity and transformation in vivo by mutagenesis and expression of genes from an infectious HTLV-II provirus clone.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA054551-03
Application #
3199115
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (SRC (44))
Project Start
1991-05-01
Project End
1994-04-30
Budget Start
1993-05-01
Budget End
1994-04-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1993
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Los Angeles
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
119132785
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90095