Transformation of CD8 + T‐Cells Producing a Strong Cytopathic Effect on CD4+ T‐Cells through Syncytium Formation by HTLV‐II

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Abstract
Human T‐cell leukemia virus type II (HTLV‐II) is thought to play an important role in the development of CD8 + T‐cell malignancies resembling hairy cell leukemia. In this study, dramatic cytopathic effects characterized by syncytium formation in various CD4+ T‐cell lines were observed upon their cocultivation with HTLV‐II infected T‐cells. The HTLV‐II infected T‐cells, however, did not die as a result of syncytium formation. HTLV‐II also transformed CD4 + T‐cells and CD8 + T‐cells at various coculture ratios. Furthermore, sera from antiHTLV‐II antibody‐positive specific carriers inhibited syncytium formation in the CD4+ T‐cells. These results suggest that HTLV‐II infection may contribute to the pathogenesis of associated CD8 + T‐cell malignancies.