Open AccessEarlier Onset of δ-Retrovirus-Induced Leukemia after Splenectomy
Author(s) -
Arnaud-Francois Florins,
M. Reichert,
Becca Asquith,
Amel Bouzar,
G Jean,
Carole François,
Agnieszka Jasik,
Arsène Burny,
Richard Kettmann,
Luc Willems
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0006943
Subject(s) - retrovirus , virology , asplenia , bovine leukemia virus , leukemia , immune system , immunology , asymptomatic carrier , splenectomy , biology , pathogenesis , virus , spleen , asymptomatic , medicine , pathology
Infection by δ-retroviruses such as human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is mostly asymptomatic. Indeed, only a minority (<5%) of δ-retrovirus infected hosts will develop either lymphoproliferative or neurodegenerative diseases after long latency periods. In fact, the host immune response is believed to tightly control viral replication but this assumption has not been definitely proven in vivo . Here, we provide direct experimental evidence demonstrating that integrity of the spleen is required to control pathogenesis. In the BLV model, we show that asplenia decreases efficiency of the immune response and induces an imbalance in cell dynamics resulting in accelerated onset of leukemia. These observations enlighten a potential threat in splenectomized HTLV-1 carriers and justify a regular preventive evaluation.