“…However, there was no significant age difference between patients showing pattern A (52 : 7 years). These results suggested that the carriers and smouldering ATL patients with pattern B were in an immunologically stimulated state (Ila et al, 1991;Chiaffarino et al, 1994;Damle et al, 1993;Lu et al, 1992;Lesslauer et al, 1986;Turka et al, 1990;Van Lier, 1988), or, alternatively, the results could be considered to reflect the presence of ATL cells through cytokines (Richardson et al, 1990;Nagatani et al, 1990;Shirono et al, 1989;Matsuda et al, 1993;Yssel et al, 1989). The CD69 antigen is expressed on T cells in an early activated state via such molecules as CD3 (Axberg et al, 1991;Risso et al, 1991).…”