Current Topics in Prevention of Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type I Infection: NF-κ B Inhibitors and APOBEC3

Abstract

Human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) is the first human retrovirus and causes adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL). Constitutive activation of nuclear factor-κ B (NF-κ B) in the leukemic cells is essential for their growth and survival. Thus, NF-κ B inhibitors have been attracting attention as a potential strategy to treat ATL. Recently, the field of retrovirus research has been stimulated by the discovery of an innate host defense factor, APOBEC3, against the retroviruses. HTLV-I is relatively resistant to the antiviral effects of APOBEC3. To clarify the resistance of HTLV-I against APOBEC3 might contribute to the design of effective therapeutic approaches.

Keywords:

• HTLV-I
• APOBEC3
• ATL
• Tax
• NF-κB