Although the high production of proinflammatory mediators documented in HTLV-1 infection, especially in HAM/TSP patients, such as IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-6, could contribute to the increased production of chemokines and TNF by macrophages, we did not find a correlation between the IFN-γ production by PBMCs and TNF, IL-10, CXCL9, CXCL10 and CCL5 produced by macrophages. This evidence concerns the gene TNF and tropical spastic paraparesis.