Plasma cytokines in women with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract

BackgroundChronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) studies from our laboratory and others have described cytokine abnormalities. Other studies reported no difference between CFS and controls. However, methodologies varied widely and few studies measured more than 4 or 5 cytokines. Multiplex technology permits the determination of cytokines for a large panel of cytokines simultaneously with high sensitivity and with only 30 ul of plasma per sample. No widely accepted laboratory test or marker is available for the diagnosis or prognosis of CFS. This study screened plasma factors to identify circulating biomarkers associated with CFS.MethodsCytokines were measured in plasma from female CFS cases and female healthy controls. Multiplex technology provided profiles of 16 plasma factors including the pro -inflammatory cytokines: tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), lymphotoxin α (LTα), interleukin (IL) - IL-Iα, IL-1β, IL-6; TH1 cytokines: interferon γ (IFNγ), IL-12p70, IL-2, IL-15; TH2: IL-4, IL-5; TH17 cytokines, IL-17 and IL-23; anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10, IL-13; the inflammatory mediator and neutrophil attracting chemokine IL-8 (CXCL8). Analysis by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve assessed the biomarker potential of each cytokine.ResultsThe following cytokines were elevated in CFS compared to controls: LTα, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-12. The following cytokines were decreased in CFS: IL-8, IL-13 and IL-15. The following cytokines were not different: TNFα, IFNγ, IL-2, IL-10, IL-23 and IL-17. Applying (ROC) curve analyses, areas under the curves (AUC) for IL-5 (0. 84), LTα (0.77), IL-4 (0.77), IL-12 (0.76) indicated good biomarker potential. The AUC of IL-6 (0.73), IL-15 (0.73), IL-8 (0.69), IL-13 (0.68) IL-1α (0.62), IL-1β (0.62) showed fair potential as biomarkers.ConclusionCytokine abnormalities are common in CFS. In this study, 10 of 16 cytokines examined showed good to fair promise as biomarkers. However, the cytokine changes observed are likely to more indicative of immune activation and inflammation, rather than specific for CFS. As such, they are targets for herapeutic strategies. Newer techniques allow evaluation of large panels of cytokines in a cost effective fashion.

Gene Expression in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

“…Currently the most stable and reliable marker is NK cytotoxic activity (Brenu et al, 2011b;Fletcher et al, 2009;Klimas et al, 1990;Maher et al, 2005). Consistent data worldwide suggest that a decrease in cytotoxic activity is a hallmark of CFS.…”

“…Similarly, in the presence of an altered NFκB expression, NK responsiveness to IL-12 in CFS patients may be dampened compromising immune response to both infection and homeostasis (Broderick et al, 2010). Further studies are needed to verify whether miRNAs contribute or are linked to depressions in IL-8, IL-13 and IL-5 and increased activity of IL-1 , IL-1 , IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-12 in CFS patients (Fletcher et al, 2009). Substantial decreases in the expression miR-21 were observed in the CFS patient group.…”

Hva er egentlig myalgisk encefalopati?

“…Immunologiske studier tyder på avvik i immunreguleringen hos CFS/ME, blant annet i regulering av T-lymfocytter og cytokiner (22)(23)(24)(25) . Funnene er imidlertid ikke konsistente i ulike studier, og man har ikke kunnet identifisere potensielle immunologiske biomarkører (26) .…”

Chiropractic Management of a Patient With Chronic Fatigue: A Case Report

“…12 Chronic fatigue syndrome also has a distinct inflammatory component that can aggravate many of its symptoms and associate it with other endocrine and immunologic disorders that are often seen in clinical practice. Chronic fatigue syndrome has been associated with cytokine abnormalities, 12,13 which are very likely indicative of immune activation and pathogenic inflammation. Furthermore, objective fatigue symptom scores in CFS have been significantly correlated with levels of proinflammatory cytokines.…”