New Insights into HTLV-1-Related Inflammatory Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

Human T-cell leukemia virus-1 (HTLV-1)-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is induced by chronic inflammation in the spinal cord triggered by HTLV-1 infection. The discovery of HAM/TSP revealed that HTLV-1 has the potential to induce not only aggressive lymphoproliferation as the oncovirus leading to the development of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), but also profound inflammatory status by immunologic activations. Indeed, there are many reports that several inflammatory diseases, such as uveitis, myositis, pulmonary disorder, arthritis, and Sjögren’s syndrome, occasionally occur in HTLV 1-infected individuals, including HAM/TSP patients. Thus, there has been an increasing awareness that HTLV-1 is a powerful inflammation causative agent. Looking into the diseases induced by HTLV-1 infection from the point of view of the inflammatory status, in this Special Issue, we aim to foster open and active discussion on the clinical and molecular characteristics, as well as therapeutic strategies, of HTLV-1-related inflammatory diseases, including HAM/TSP. We warmly invite colleagues to contribute original research articles or reviews to this Special Issue.

Dr. Tatsufumi Nakamura
Dr. Ryuji Kubota
Guest Editors

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