1
|
Apostolou E, Rosén A. Epigenetic reprograming in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A narrative of latent viruses. J Intern Med 2024. [PMID: 38693641 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic disease presenting with severe fatigue, post-exertional malaise, and cognitive disturbances-among a spectrum of symptoms-that collectively render the patient housebound or bedbound. Epigenetic studies in ME/CFS collectively confirm alterations and/or malfunctions in cellular and organismal physiology associated with immune responses, cellular metabolism, cell death and proliferation, and neuronal and endothelial cell function. The sudden onset of ME/CFS follows a major stress factor that, in approximately 70% of cases, involves viral infection, and ME/CFS symptoms overlap with those of long COVID. Viruses primarily linked to ME/CFS pathology are the symbiotic herpesviruses, which follow a bivalent latent-lytic lifecycle. The complex interaction between viruses and hosts involves strategies from both sides: immune evasion and persistence by the viruses, and immune activation and viral clearance by the host. This dynamic interaction is imperative for herpesviruses that facilitate their persistence through epigenetic regulation of their own and the host genome. In the current article, we provide an overview of the epigenetic signatures demonstrated in ME/CFS and focus on the potential strategies that latent viruses-particularly Epstein-Barr virus-may employ in long-term epigenetic reprograming in ME/CFS. Epigenetic studies could aid in elucidating relevant biological pathways impacted in ME/CFS and reflect the physiological variations among the patients that stem from environmental triggers, including exogenous viruses and/or altered viral activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Apostolou
- Division of Cell and Neurobiology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anders Rosén
- Division of Cell and Neurobiology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pietrangelo T, Cagnin S, Bondi D, Santangelo C, Marramiero L, Purcaro C, Bonadio RS, Di Filippo ES, Mancinelli R, Fulle S, Verratti V, Cheng X. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome from current evidence to new diagnostic perspectives through skeletal muscle and metabolic disturbances. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2024; 240:e14122. [PMID: 38483046 DOI: 10.1111/apha.14122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a demanding medical condition for patients and society. It has raised much more public awareness after the COVID-19 pandemic since ME/CFS and long-COVID patients share many clinical symptoms such as debilitating chronic fatigue. However, unlike long COVID, the etiopathology of ME/CFS remains a mystery despite several decades' research. This review moves from pathophysiology of ME/CFS through the compelling evidence and most interesting hypotheses. It focuses on the pathophysiology of skeletal muscle by proposing the hypothesis that skeletal muscle tissue offers novel opportunities for diagnosis and treatment of this syndrome and that new evidence can help resolve the long-standing debate on terminology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Pietrangelo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- IIM-Interuniversity Institute of Myology, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefano Cagnin
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
- CIR-Myo Myology Center, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Danilo Bondi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- IIM-Interuniversity Institute of Myology, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Carmen Santangelo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- IIM-Interuniversity Institute of Myology, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Marramiero
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- IIM-Interuniversity Institute of Myology, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Cristina Purcaro
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- IIM-Interuniversity Institute of Myology, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | | | - Ester Sara Di Filippo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- IIM-Interuniversity Institute of Myology, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Rosa Mancinelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- IIM-Interuniversity Institute of Myology, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefania Fulle
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- IIM-Interuniversity Institute of Myology, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Vittore Verratti
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Xuanhong Cheng
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fonseca A, Szysz M, Ly HT, Cordeiro C, Sepúlveda N. IgG Antibody Responses to Epstein-Barr Virus in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Their Effective Potential for Disease Diagnosis and Pathological Antigenic Mimicry. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:161. [PMID: 38256421 PMCID: PMC10820613 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60010161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The diagnosis and pathology of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) remain under debate. However, there is a growing body of evidence for an autoimmune component in ME/CFS caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and other viral infections. Materials and Methods: In this work, we analyzed a large public dataset on the IgG antibodies to 3054 EBV peptides to understand whether these immune responses could help diagnose patients and trigger pathological autoimmunity; we used healthy controls (HCs) as a comparator cohort. Subsequently, we aimed at predicting the disease status of the study participants using a super learner algorithm targeting an accuracy of 85% when splitting data into train and test datasets. Results: When we compared the data of all ME/CFS patients or the data of a subgroup of those patients with non-infectious or unknown disease triggers to the data of the HC, we could not find an antibody-based classifier that would meet the desired accuracy in the test dataset. However, we could identify a 26-antibody classifier that could distinguish ME/CFS patients with an infectious disease trigger from the HCs with 100% and 90% accuracies in the train and test sets, respectively. We finally performed a bioinformatic analysis of the EBV peptides associated with these 26 antibodies. We found no correlation between the importance metric of the selected antibodies in the classifier and the maximal sequence homology between human proteins and each EBV peptide recognized by these antibodies. Conclusions: In conclusion, these 26 antibodies against EBV have an effective potential for disease diagnosis in a subset of patients. However, the peptides associated with these antibodies are less likely to induce autoimmune B-cell responses that could explain the pathogenesis of ME/CFS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- André Fonseca
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (A.F.); (C.C.)
- CEAUL—Centre of Statistics and its Applications, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mateusz Szysz
- Faculty of Mathematics & Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland; (M.S.); (H.T.L.)
| | - Hoang Thien Ly
- Faculty of Mathematics & Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland; (M.S.); (H.T.L.)
| | - Clara Cordeiro
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (A.F.); (C.C.)
- CEAUL—Centre of Statistics and its Applications, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sepúlveda
- CEAUL—Centre of Statistics and its Applications, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculty of Mathematics & Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland; (M.S.); (H.T.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jensen MA, Dafoe ML, Wilhelmy J, Cervantes L, Okumu AN, Kipp L, Nemat-Gorgani M, Davis RW. Catalytic Antibodies May Contribute to Demyelination in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Biochemistry 2024; 63:9-18. [PMID: 38011893 PMCID: PMC10765373 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Here we report preliminary data demonstrating that some patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatiguesyndrome (ME/CFS) may have catalytic autoantibodies that cause the breakdown of myelin basic protein (MBP). We propose that these MBP-degradative antibodies are important to the pathophysiology of ME/CFS, particularly in the occurrence of white matter disease/demyelination. This is supported by magnetic resonance imagining studies that show these findings in patients with ME/CFS and could explain symptoms of nerve pain and muscle weakness. In this work, we performed a series of experiments on patient plasma samples where we isolated and characterized substrate-specific antibodies that digest MBP. We also tested glatiramer acetate (copaxone), an FDA approved immunomodulator to treat multiple sclerosis, and found that it inhibits ME/CFS antibody digestion of MBP. Furthermore, we found that aprotinin, which is a specific serine protease inhibitor, specifically prevents breakdown of MBP while the other classes of protease inhibitors had no effect. This coincides with the published literature describing catalytic antibodies as having serine protease-like activity. Postpandemic research has also provided several reports of demyelination in COVID-19. Because COVID-19 has been described as a trigger for ME/CFS, demyelination could play a bigger role in patient symptoms for those recently diagnosed with ME/CFS. Therefore, by studying proteolytic antibodies in ME/CFS, their target substrates, and inhibitors, a new mechanism of action could lead to better treatment and a possible cure for the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Anthony Jensen
- Stanford
Genome Technology Center, Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94304, United States
| | - Miranda Lee Dafoe
- Stanford
Genome Technology Center, Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94304, United States
| | - Julie Wilhelmy
- Stanford
Genome Technology Center, Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94304, United States
| | - Layla Cervantes
- Stanford
Genome Technology Center, Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94304, United States
| | - Anna N Okumu
- Stanford
Genome Technology Center, Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94304, United States
| | - Lucas Kipp
- Department
of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94304, United States
| | - Mohsen Nemat-Gorgani
- Stanford
Genome Technology Center, Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94304, United States
| | - Ronald Wayne Davis
- Stanford
Genome Technology Center, Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94304, United States
- Department
of Genetics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94304, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chang H, Kuo CF, Yu TS, Ke LY, Hung CL, Tsai SY. Increased risk of chronic fatigue syndrome following infection: a 17-year population-based cohort study. J Transl Med 2023; 21:804. [PMID: 37951920 PMCID: PMC10638797 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04636-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous serological studies have indicated an association between viruses and atypical pathogens and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). This study aims to investigate the correlation between infections from common pathogens, including typical bacteria, and the subsequent risk of developing CFS. The analysis is based on data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. METHODS From 2000 to 2017, we included a total of 395,811 cases aged 20 years or older newly diagnosed with infection. The cases were matched 1:1 with controls using a propensity score and were followed up until diagnoses of CFS were made. RESULTS The Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to estimate the relationship between infection and the subsequent risk of CFS. The incidence density rates among non-infection and infection population were 3.67 and 5.40 per 1000 person-years, respectively (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.5, with a 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.47-1.54). Patients infected with Varicella-zoster virus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Escherichia coli, Candida, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus and influenza virus had a significantly higher risk of CFS than those without these pathogens (p < 0.05). Patients taking doxycycline, azithromycin, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, or ciprofloxacin had a significantly lower risk of CFS than patients in the corresponding control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Our population-based retrospective cohort study found that infection with common pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, is associated with an increased risk of developing CFS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsun Chang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Feng Kuo
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, 252, Taiwan
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Teng-Shun Yu
- Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Yin Ke
- Medical Laboratory Science & Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Lieh Hung
- Division of Cardiology, Departments of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Yi Tsai
- Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, 252, Taiwan.
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, 104, Taiwan.
- Institute of Long-Term Care, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ruiz-Pablos M, Paiva B, Zabaleta A. Epstein-Barr virus-acquired immunodeficiency in myalgic encephalomyelitis-Is it present in long COVID? J Transl Med 2023; 21:633. [PMID: 37718435 PMCID: PMC10506247 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04515-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Both myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and long COVID (LC) are characterized by similar immunological alterations, persistence of chronic viral infection, autoimmunity, chronic inflammatory state, viral reactivation, hypocortisolism, and microclot formation. They also present with similar symptoms such as asthenia, exercise intolerance, sleep disorders, cognitive dysfunction, and neurological and gastrointestinal complaints. In addition, both pathologies present Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation, indicating the possibility of this virus being the link between both pathologies. Therefore, we propose that latency and recurrent EBV reactivation could generate an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in three steps: first, an acquired EBV immunodeficiency develops in individuals with "weak" EBV HLA-II haplotypes, which prevents the control of latency I cells. Second, ectopic lymphoid structures with EBV latency form in different tissues (including the CNS), promoting inflammatory responses and further impairment of cell-mediated immunity. Finally, immune exhaustion occurs due to chronic exposure to viral antigens, with consolidation of the disease. In the case of LC, prior to the first step, there is the possibility of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection in individuals with "weak" HLA-II haplotypes against this virus and/or EBV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Bruno Paiva
- Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), IdiSNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Av. Pío XII 55, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Aintzane Zabaleta
- Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), IdiSNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Av. Pío XII 55, 31008, Pamplona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Domingues TD, Malato J, Grabowska AD, Lee JS, Ameijeiras-Alonso J, Biecek P, Graça L, Mouriño H, Scheibenbogen C, Westermeier F, Nacul L, Cliff JM, Lacerda E, Sepúlveda N. Association analysis between symptomology and herpesvirus IgG antibody concentrations in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and multiple sclerosis. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18250. [PMID: 37519635 PMCID: PMC10372404 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are two complex and multifactorial diseases whose patients experience persistent fatigue, cognitive impairment, among other shared symptoms. The onset of these diseases has also been linked to acute herpesvirus infections or their reactivations. In this work, we re-analyzed a previously-described dataset related to IgG antibody responses to 6 herpesviruses (CMV - cytomegalovirus; EBV - Epstein-Barr virus; HHV6 - human herpesvirus-6; HSV1 and HSV2 - herpes simplex virus-1 and -2, respectively; VZV - varicella-zoster virus) from the United Kingdom ME/CFS biobank. The primary goal was to report the underlying symptomology and its association with herpesvirus IgG antibodies using data from 4 disease-trigger-based subgroups of ME/CFS patients (n = 222) and patients with MS (n = 46). The secondary objective was to assess whether serological data could distinguish ME/CFS and its subgroup from MS using a SuperLearner (SL) algorithm. There was evidence for a significant negative association between temporary eye insight disturbance and CMV antibody concentrations and for a significant positive association between bladder problems and EBV antibody concentrations in the MS group. In the ME/CFS or its subgroups, the most significant antibody-symptom association was obtained for increasing HSV1 antibody concentration and brain fog, a finding in line with a negative impact of HSV1 exposure on cognitive outcomes in both healthy and disease conditions. There was also evidence for a higher number of significant antibody-symptom associations in the MS group than in the ME/CFS group. When we combined all the serological data in an SL algorithm, we could distinguish three ME/CFS subgroups (unknown disease trigger, non-infection trigger, and an infection disease trigger confirmed in the lab at the time of the event) from the MS group. However, we could not find the same for the remaining ME/CFS group (related to an unconfirmed infection disease). In conclusion, IgG antibody data explains more the symptomology of MS patients than the one of ME/CFS patients. Given the fluctuating nature of symptoms in ME/CFS patients, the clinical implication of these findings remains to be determined with a longitudinal study. This study is likely to ascertain the robustness of the associations during natural disease course.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Dias Domingues
- Departamento de Estatística e Investigação Operacional, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Faculty of Mathematics & Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - João Malato
- Faculty of Mathematics & Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Anna D. Grabowska
- Department of Biophysics, Physiology, And Pathophysiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ji-Sook Lee
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jose Ameijeiras-Alonso
- Department of Statistics, Mathematical Analysis and Optimization, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Przemysław Biecek
- Faculty of Mathematics & Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Luís Graça
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Helena Mouriño
- Departamento de Estatística e Investigação Operacional, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Faculty of Mathematics & Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Carmen Scheibenbogen
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Francisco Westermeier
- Department of Health Studies, Institute of Biomedical Science, FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences, Graz, Austria
- Centro Integrativo de Biología y Química Aplicada (CIBQA), Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis Nacul
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- BC Women’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Jacqueline M. Cliff
- Department of Life Sciences and Centre for Inflammation Research and Translational Medicine, Brunel University London, United Kingdom
| | - Eliana Lacerda
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nuno Sepúlveda
- Faculty of Mathematics & Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
- Faculty of Mathematics & Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hannestad U, Apostolou E, Sjögren P, Bragée B, Polo O, Bertilson BC, Rosén A. Post-COVID sequelae effect in chronic fatigue syndrome: SARS-CoV-2 triggers latent adenovirus in the oral mucosa. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1208181. [PMID: 37457558 PMCID: PMC10349329 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1208181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The post-viral fatigue syndromes long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) have multiple, potentially overlapping, pathological processes. These include persisting reservoirs of virus, e.g., SARS-CoV-2 in long COVID patient's tissues, immune dysregulation with or without reactivation of underlying pathogens, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6), as we recently described in ME/CFS, and possibly yet unidentified viruses. In the present study we tested saliva samples from two cohorts for IgG against human adenovirus (HAdV): patients with ME/CFS (n = 84) and healthy controls (n = 94), with either mild/asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection or no infection. A significantly elevated anti-HAdV IgG response after SARS-CoV-2 infection was detected exclusively in the patient cohort. Longitudinal/time analysis, before and after COVID-19, in the very same individuals confirmed HAdV IgG elevation after. In plasma there was no HAdV IgG elevation. We conclude that COVID-19 triggered reactivation of dormant HAdV in the oral mucosa of chronic fatigue patients indicating an exhausted dysfunctional antiviral immune response in ME/CFS, allowing reactivation of adenovirus upon stress encounter such as COVID-19. These novel findings should be considered in clinical practice for identification of patients that may benefit from therapy that targets HAdV as well.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulf Hannestad
- Department of Biomedicine and Surgery, Division of Cell Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Eirini Apostolou
- Department of Biomedicine and Surgery, Division of Cell Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Per Sjögren
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- ME-Center, Bragée Clinics, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Björn Bragée
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- ME-Center, Bragée Clinics, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Olli Polo
- ME-Center, Bragée Clinics, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bo Christer Bertilson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- ME-Center, Bragée Clinics, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Rosén
- Department of Biomedicine and Surgery, Division of Cell Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Davis HE, McCorkell L, Vogel JM, Topol EJ. Long COVID: major findings, mechanisms and recommendations. Nat Rev Microbiol 2023; 21:133-146. [PMID: 36639608 PMCID: PMC9839201 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-022-00846-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 969] [Impact Index Per Article: 969.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Long COVID is an often debilitating illness that occurs in at least 10% of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. More than 200 symptoms have been identified with impacts on multiple organ systems. At least 65 million individuals worldwide are estimated to have long COVID, with cases increasing daily. Biomedical research has made substantial progress in identifying various pathophysiological changes and risk factors and in characterizing the illness; further, similarities with other viral-onset illnesses such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome have laid the groundwork for research in the field. In this Review, we explore the current literature and highlight key findings, the overlap with other conditions, the variable onset of symptoms, long COVID in children and the impact of vaccinations. Although these key findings are critical to understanding long COVID, current diagnostic and treatment options are insufficient, and clinical trials must be prioritized that address leading hypotheses. Additionally, to strengthen long COVID research, future studies must account for biases and SARS-CoV-2 testing issues, build on viral-onset research, be inclusive of marginalized populations and meaningfully engage patients throughout the research process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Julia Moore Vogel
- Scripps Research Translational Institute, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Eric J Topol
- Scripps Research Translational Institute, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Gaber TA. Pattern of Post COVID Fatigue in Elderly Patients. ADVANCES IN REHABILITATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2023; 12:27536351231194561. [PMID: 37638148 PMCID: PMC10448890 DOI: 10.1177/27536351231194561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
The incidence of Long COVID (LC) increases with age but then drops sharply in over 70-year-olds. The prevailing explanation is that different biases in data collection such as reluctance to report symptoms or attributing them to comorbidities may explain this pattern in this age group. Our local data suggested a similar pattern confirming the rarity of LC symptoms especially fatigue in the over 70s. Our data have also showed a different phenotype of post COVID fatigue which is not commonly associated with post exertional symptoms bringing into question the suggestion that bias in collecting data is the main cause. We explore several immunological, metabolic and epigenetic factors associated with aging that may explain such phenomenon.
Collapse
|
11
|
Andreeva IG, Gvozdeva A, Pimenova V, Ryabkova V, Lukashenko M, Kamaeva E, Shapkina V, Soprun L, Gavrilova N, Fedotkina TV, Churilov LP, Shoenfeld Y. Assessment of Hearing and Vestibular Functions in a Post-COVID-19 Patient: A Clinical Case Study. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 13:diagnostics13010122. [PMID: 36611414 PMCID: PMC9819003 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13010122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection may cause such complications as post-COVID-19 syndrome, which includes chronic fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia, as well as a variety of neurological manifestations, e.g., neuropathy of small fibers, hearing and vestibular dysfunction, and cognitive impairment. This clinical case describes a 41-year-old patient suffering from post-COVID-19 syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome. A detailed examination was performed, including an in-depth study of peripheral and central hearing and vestibular functions, as well as small nerve fibers length and density in the skin and cornea of the eye. Contrary to expectations, no peripheral nervous system dysfunction was detected, despite the presence of dizziness and gait instability in the patient. Hearing tests (gap detection test and dichotic test) showed central auditory processing disorders. The evaluated lesion in the processing of temporal and verbal auditory information can be a significant factor contributing to additional overload of the neural activity and leading to chronic fatigue when performing daily activities in patients with CFS and post-COVID-19 complications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irina Germanovna Andreeva
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEPhB RAS), Laboratory of Comparative Sensory Physiology, 194223 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alisa Gvozdeva
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEPhB RAS), Laboratory of Comparative Sensory Physiology, 194223 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Vera Pimenova
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEPhB RAS), Laboratory of Comparative Sensory Physiology, 194223 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Varvara Ryabkova
- Department of Therapy, Pavlov First St. Petersburg State Medical University, 197022 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Laboratory of the Mosaic of Autoimmunity, Saint-Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Maria Lukashenko
- Laboratory of the Mosaic of Autoimmunity, Saint-Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Evelina Kamaeva
- Laboratory of the Mosaic of Autoimmunity, Saint-Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Valeria Shapkina
- Department of Hospital Surgery, Saint-Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Lidia Soprun
- Department of Healthcare and Medical law, Saint-Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Outpatient Clinic No. 1, Saint-Petersburg State University Clinic, 190103 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Natalia Gavrilova
- Outpatient Clinic No. 1, Saint-Petersburg State University Clinic, 190103 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Department of Faculty Therapy, Saint-Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
- St. Petersburg Research Institute of Phthisiopulmonology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 191036 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Correspondence:
| | - Tamara Viktorovna Fedotkina
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEPhB RAS), Laboratory of Comparative Sensory Physiology, 194223 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Laboratory of the Mosaic of Autoimmunity, Saint-Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Leonid Pavlovich Churilov
- St. Petersburg Research Institute of Phthisiopulmonology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 191036 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Department of Pathology, Saint-Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Yehuda Shoenfeld
- Laboratory of the Mosaic of Autoimmunity, Saint-Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer 5265601, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Post-COVID Syndrome: A Common Neuroimmune Ground? Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 13:diagnostics13010066. [PMID: 36611357 PMCID: PMC9818907 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13010066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating chronic disease of unknown etiology, sharing a similar clinical presentation with the increasingly recognized post-COVID syndrome. We performed the first cross-sectional study of ME/CFS in a community population in Russia. Then we described and compared some clinical and pathophysiological characteristics of ME/CFS and post-COVID syndrome as neuroimmune disorders. Of the cohort of 76 individuals who suggested themselves as suffering from ME/CFS, 56 were diagnosed with ME/CFS by clinicians according to ≥1 of the four most commonly used case definitions. Of the cohort of 14 individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome, 14 met the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS. The severity of anxiety/depressive symptoms did not correlate with the severity of fatigue either in ME/CFS or in post-COVID ME/CFS. Still, a positive correlation was found between the severity of fatigue and 20 other symptoms of ME/CFS related to the domains of "post-exertional exhaustion", "immune dysfunction", "sleep disturbances", "dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system", "neurological sensory/motor disorders" and "pain syndromes". Immunological abnormalities were identified in 12/12 patients with ME/CFS according to the results of laboratory testing. The prevalence of postural orthostatic tachycardia assessed in the active orthostatic test amounted to 37.5% in ME/CFS and 75.0% in post-COVID ME/CFS (the latter was higher than in healthy controls, p = 0.02). There was a more pronounced increase in heart rate starting from the 6th minute of the test in post-COVID ME/CFS compared with the control group. Assessment of the functional characteristics of microcirculation by laser doppler flowmetry revealed obvious and very similar changes in ME/CFS and post-COVID ME/CFS compared to the healthy controls. The identified laser doppler flowmetry pattern corresponded to the hyperemic form of microcirculation disorders usually observed in acute inflammatory response or in case of systemic vasoconstriction failure.
Collapse
|
13
|
Apostolou E, Rizwan M, Moustardas P, Sjögren P, Bertilson BC, Bragée B, Polo O, Rosén A. Saliva antibody-fingerprint of reactivated latent viruses after mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 is unique in patients with myalgic-encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Front Immunol 2022; 13:949787. [PMID: 36341457 PMCID: PMC9630598 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.949787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic disease considered to be triggered by viral infections in a majority of cases. Symptoms overlap largely with those of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19/long-COVID implying common pathogenetic mechanisms. SARS-CoV-2 infection is risk factor for sustained latent virus reactivation that may account for the symptoms of post-viral fatigue syndromes. The aim of this study was first to investigate whether patients with ME/CFS and healthy donors (HDs) differed in their antibody response to mild/asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Secondly, to analyze whether COVID-19 imposes latent virus reactivation in the cohorts. Methods Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were analyzed in plasma and saliva from non-vaccinated ME/CFS (n=95) and HDs (n=110) using soluble multiplex immunoassay. Reactivation of human herpesviruses 1-6 (HSV1, HSV2, VZV, EBV, CMV, HHV6), and human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) was detected by anti-viral antibody fingerprints in saliva. Results At 3-6 months after mild/asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, virus-specific antibodies in saliva were substantially induced signifying a strong reactivation of latent viruses (EBV, HHV6 and HERV-K) in both cohorts. In patients with ME/CFS, antibody responses were significantly stronger, in particular EBV-encoded nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA1) IgG were elevated in patients with ME/CFS, but not in HDs. EBV-VCA IgG was also elevated at baseline prior to SARS-infection in patients compared to HDs. Conclusion Our results denote an altered and chronically aroused anti-viral profile against latent viruses in ME/CFS. SARS-CoV-2 infection even in its mild/asymptomatic form is a potent trigger for reactivation of latent herpesviruses (EBV, HHV6) and endogenous retroviruses (HERV-K), as detected by antibody fingerprints locally in the oral mucosa (saliva samples). This has not been shown before because the antibody elevation is not detected systemically in the circulation/plasma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Apostolou
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Eirini Apostolou, ; Anders Rosén,
| | - Muhammad Rizwan
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Petros Moustardas
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Per Sjögren
- Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- ME-center, Bragée Clinics, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bo Christer Bertilson
- Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- ME-center, Bragée Clinics, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Björn Bragée
- Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- ME-center, Bragée Clinics, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Olli Polo
- ME-center, Bragée Clinics, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Rosén
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Eirini Apostolou, ; Anders Rosén,
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Huoman J, Sayyab S, Apostolou E, Karlsson L, Porcile L, Rizwan M, Sharma S, Das J, Rosén A, Lerm M. Epigenetic rewiring of pathways related to odour perception in immune cells exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in vivo and in vitro. Epigenetics 2022; 17:1875-1891. [PMID: 35758003 PMCID: PMC9665140 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2022.2089471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A majority of SARS-CoV-2 recoverees develop only mild-to-moderate symptoms, while some remain completely asymptomatic. Although viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, may evade host immune responses by epigenetic mechanisms including DNA methylation, little is known about whether these modifications are important in defence against and healthy recovery from COVID-19 in the host. To this end, epigenome-wide DNA methylation patterns from COVID-19 convalescents were compared to uninfected controls from before and after the pandemic. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) DNA was extracted from uninfected controls, COVID-19 convalescents, and symptom-free individuals with SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell-responses, as well as from PBMCs stimulated in vitro with SARS-CoV-2. Subsequently, the Illumina MethylationEPIC 850K array was performed, and statistical/bioinformatic analyses comprised differential DNA methylation, pathway over-representation, and module identification analyses. Differential DNA methylation patterns distinguished COVID-19 convalescents from uninfected controls, with similar results in an experimental SARS-CoV-2 infection model. A SARS-CoV-2-induced module was identified in vivo, comprising 66 genes of which six (TP53, INS, HSPA4, SP1, ESR1, and FAS) were present in corresponding in vitro analyses. Over-representation analyses revealed involvement in Wnt, muscarinic acetylcholine receptor signalling, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor pathways. Furthermore, numerous differentially methylated and network genes from both settings interacted with the SARS-CoV-2 interactome. Altered DNA methylation patterns of COVID-19 convalescents suggest recovery from mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection leaves longstanding epigenetic traces. Both in vitro and in vivo exposure caused epigenetic modulation of pathways thataffect odour perception. Future studies should determine whether this reflects host-induced protective antiviral defense or targeted viral hijacking to evade host defence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Huoman
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Shumaila Sayyab
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Eirini Apostolou
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Lovisa Karlsson
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Lucas Porcile
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Muhammad Rizwan
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Sumit Sharma
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Jyotirmoy Das
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anders Rosén
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Maria Lerm
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Sepúlveda N, Malato J, Sotzny F, Grabowska AD, Fonseca A, Cordeiro C, Graça L, Biecek P, Behrends U, Mautner J, Westermeier F, Lacerda EM, Scheibenbogen C. Revisiting IgG Antibody Reactivity to Epstein-Barr Virus in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Its Potential Application to Disease Diagnosis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:921101. [PMID: 35814774 PMCID: PMC9263839 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.921101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are often at the disease onset of patients suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). However, serological analyses of these infections remain inconclusive when comparing patients with healthy controls (HCs). In particular, it is unclear if certain EBV-derived antigens eliciting antibody responses have a biomarker potential for disease diagnosis. With this purpose, we re-analyzed a previously published microarray data on the IgG antibody responses against 3,054 EBV-related antigens in 92 patients with ME/CFS and 50 HCs. This re-analysis consisted of constructing different regression models for binary outcomes with the ability to classify patients and HCs. In these models, we tested for a possible interaction of different antibodies with age and gender. When analyzing the whole data set, there were no antibody responses that could distinguish patients from healthy controls. A similar finding was obtained when comparing patients with non-infectious or unknown disease trigger with healthy controls. However, when data analysis was restricted to the comparison between HCs and patients with a putative infection at their disease onset, we could identify stronger antibody responses against two candidate antigens (EBNA4_0529 and EBNA6_0070). Using antibody responses to these two antigens together with age and gender, the final classification model had an estimated sensitivity and specificity of 0.833 and 0.720, respectively. This reliable case-control discrimination suggested the use of the antibody levels related to these candidate viral epitopes as biomarkers for disease diagnosis in this subgroup of patients. To confirm this finding, a follow-up study will be conducted in a separate cohort of patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nuno Sepúlveda
- Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
- CEAUL – Centro de Estatística e Aplicações da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Nuno Sepúlveda
| | - João Malato
- CEAUL – Centro de Estatística e Aplicações da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Franziska Sotzny
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Immunology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna D. Grabowska
- Department of Biophysics, Physiology, and Pathophysiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - André Fonseca
- CEAUL – Centro de Estatística e Aplicações da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Clara Cordeiro
- CEAUL – Centro de Estatística e Aplicações da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Luís Graça
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Przemyslaw Biecek
- Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Uta Behrends
- Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Childrens' Hospital, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Josef Mautner
- Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Childrens' Hospital, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Francisco Westermeier
- Department of Health Studies, Institute of Biomedical Science, FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences, Graz, Austria
- Centro Integrativo de Biología y Química Aplicada (CIBQA), Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - Eliana M. Lacerda
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carmen Scheibenbogen
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Immunology, Berlin, Germany
- Carmen Scheibenbogen
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Danilenko OV, Gavrilova NY, Churilov LP. Chronic Fatigue Exhibits Heterogeneous Autoimmunity Characteristics Which Reflect Etiology. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2022; 29:187-199. [PMID: 35736644 PMCID: PMC9231045 DOI: 10.3390/pathophysiology29020016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is considered to be associated with post-viral complications and mental stress, but the role of autoimmunity also remains promising. A comparison of autoimmune profiles in chronic fatigue of different origin may bring insights on the pathogenesis of this disease. Thirty-three patients with CFS/ME were divided into three subgroups. The first group included Herpesviridae carriers (group V), the second group included stress-related causes of chronic fatigue (distress, group D), and the third group included idiopathic CFS/ME (group I). Were evaluated thirty-six neural and visceral autoantigens with the ELISA ELI-test (Biomarker, Russia) and compared to 20 healthy donors, either without any fatigue (group H), or “healthy but tired” (group HTd) with episodes of fatigue related to job burnout not fitting the CFS/ME criteria. β2-glycoprotein-I autoantibodies were increased in CFS/ME patients, but not in healthy participants, that alludes the link between CFS/ME and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) earlier suspected by Berg et al. (1999). In CFS/ME patients, an increase in levels of autoantibodies towards the non-specific components of tissue debris (double-stranded DNA, collagen) was shown. Both CFS and HTd subgroups had elevated level of autoantibodies against serotonin receptors, glial fibrillary acidic protein and protein S100. Only group V showed an elevation in the autoantibodies towards voltage-gated calcium channels, and only group D had elevated levels of dopamine-, glutamate- and GABA-receptor autoantibodies, as well as NF200-protein autoantibodies. Therefore, increased autoimmune reactions to the multiple neural antigens and to adrenal medullar antigen, but not to other tissue-specific somatic ones were revealed. An increase in autoantibody levels towards some neural and non-tissue-specific antigens strongly correlated with a CFS/ME diagnosis. Autoimmune reactions were described in all subtypes of the clinically significant chronic fatigue. Visceral complaints in CFS/ME patients may be secondary to the neuroendocrine involvement and autoimmune dysautonomia. CFS may be closely interrelated with antiphospholipid syndrome, that requires further study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga V. Danilenko
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya emb, 7–9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia; (O.V.D.); (L.P.C.)
| | - Natalia Y. Gavrilova
- Department of Faculty Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya emb, 7–9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Department of Pulmonology, Saint Petersburg Research Institute of Phthisiopulmonology, Ligovskii pr., 2–4, 191036 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Research Institute of Phthisiopulmonology, St. Petersburg State University Hospital, Fontanka River Emb., 154, 190103 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Correspondence:
| | - Leonid P. Churilov
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya emb, 7–9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia; (O.V.D.); (L.P.C.)
- Department of Experimental Tuberculosis and Innovative Technologies, Saint Petersburg Research Institute of Phthisiopulmonology, Ligovskii pr., 2–4, 191036 St. Petersburg, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Stanculescu D, Bergquist J. Perspective: Drawing on Findings From Critical Illness to Explain Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:818728. [PMID: 35345768 PMCID: PMC8957276 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.818728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We propose an initial explanation for how myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) could originate and perpetuate by drawing on findings from critical illness research. Specifically, we combine emerging findings regarding (a) hypoperfusion and endotheliopathy, and (b) intestinal injury in these illnesses with our previously published hypothesis about the role of (c) pituitary suppression, and (d) low thyroid hormone function associated with redox imbalance in ME/CFS. Moreover, we describe interlinkages between these pathophysiological mechanisms as well as “vicious cycles” involving cytokines and inflammation that may contribute to explain the chronic nature of these illnesses. This paper summarizes and expands on our previous publications about the relevance of findings from critical illness for ME/CFS. New knowledge on diagnostics, prognostics and treatment strategies could be gained through active collaboration between critical illness and ME/CFS researchers, which could lead to improved outcomes for both conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonas Bergquist
- Division of Analytical Chemistry and Neurochemistry, Department of Chemistry - Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,The Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Collaborative Research Centre at Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Westermeier F, Lacerda EM, Scheibenbogen C, Sepúlveda N. Editorial: Current Insights Into Complex Post-infection Fatigue Syndromes With Unknown Aetiology: The Case of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Beyond. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:862953. [PMID: 35280890 PMCID: PMC8907997 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.862953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|
19
|
König RS, Albrich WC, Kahlert CR, Bahr LS, Löber U, Vernazza P, Scheibenbogen C, Forslund SK. The Gut Microbiome in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Front Immunol 2022; 12:628741. [PMID: 35046929 PMCID: PMC8761622 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.628741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a neglected, debilitating multi-systemic disease without diagnostic marker or therapy. Despite evidence for neurological, immunological, infectious, muscular and endocrine pathophysiological abnormalities, the etiology and a clear pathophysiology remains unclear. The gut microbiome gained much attention in the last decade with manifold implications in health and disease. Here we review the current state of knowledge on the interplay between ME/CFS and the microbiome, to identify potential diagnostic or interventional approaches, and propose areas where further research is needed. We iteratively selected and elaborated on key theories about a correlation between microbiome state and ME/CFS pathology, developing further hypotheses. Based on the literature we hypothesize that antibiotic use throughout life favours an intestinal microbiota composition which might be a risk factor for ME/CFS. Main proposed pathomechanisms include gut dysbiosis, altered gut-brain axis activity, increased gut permeability with concomitant bacterial translocation and reduced levels of short-chain-fatty acids, D-lactic acidosis, an abnormal tryptophan metabolism and low activity of the kynurenine pathway. We review options for microbiome manipulation in ME/CFS patients including probiotic and dietary interventions as well as fecal microbiota transplantations. Beyond increasing gut permeability and bacterial translocation, specific dysbiosis may modify fermentation products, affecting peripheral mitochondria. Considering the gut-brain axis we strongly suspect that the microbiome may contribute to neurocognitive impairments of ME/CFS patients. Further larger studies are needed, above all to clarify whether D-lactic acidosis and early-life antibiotic use may be part of ME/CFS etiology and what role changes in the tryptophan metabolism might play. An association between the gut microbiome and the disease ME/CFS is plausible. As causality remains unclear, we recommend longitudinal studies. Activity levels, bedridden hours and disease progression should be compared to antibiotic exposure, drug intakes and alterations in the composition of the microbiota. The therapeutic potential of fecal microbiota transfer and of targeted dietary interventions should be systematically evaluated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rahel S König
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Werner C Albrich
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Christian R Kahlert
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland.,Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Children's Hospital of Eastern Switzerland, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Lina Samira Bahr
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Experimental and Clinical Research Center, A Joint Cooperation of Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrike Löber
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Experimental and Clinical Research Center, A Joint Cooperation of Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Host-Microbiome Factors in Cardiovascular Disease, Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Pietro Vernazza
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Carmen Scheibenbogen
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sofia K Forslund
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Experimental and Clinical Research Center, A Joint Cooperation of Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Host-Microbiome Factors in Cardiovascular Disease, Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany.,European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Structural and Computational Biology Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Dehhaghi M, Panahi HKS, Kavyani B, Heng B, Tan V, Braidy N, Guillemin GJ. The Role of Kynurenine Pathway and NAD + Metabolism in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Aging Dis 2022; 13:698-711. [PMID: 35656104 PMCID: PMC9116917 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2021.0824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a serious, complex, and highly debilitating long-term illness. People with ME/CFS are typically unable to carry out their routine activities. Key hallmarks of the disease are neurological and gastrointestinal impairments accompanied by pervasive malaise that is exacerbated after physical and/or mental activity. Currently, there is no validated cure of biomarker signature for this illness. Impaired tryptophan (TRYP) metabolism is thought to play significant role in the pathobiology of ME/CFS. TRYP is an important precursor for serotonin and the essential pyridine nucleotide nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). TRYP has been associated with the development of some parts of the brain responsible for behavioural functions. The main catabolic route for TRYP is the kynurenine pathway (KP). The KP produces NAD+ and several neuroactive metabolites with neuroprotective (i.e., kynurenic acid (KYNA)) and neurotoxic (i.e., quinolinic acid (QUIN)) activities. Hyperactivation of the KP, whether compensatory or a driving mechanism of degeneration can limit the availability of NAD+ and exacerbate the symptoms of ME/CFS. This review discusses the potential association of altered KP metabolism in ME/CFS. The review also evaluates the role of the patient’s gut microbiota on TRYP availability and KP activation. We propose that strategies aimed at raising the levels of NAD+ (e.g., using nicotinamide mononucleotide and nicotinamide riboside) may be a promising intervention to overcome symptoms of fatigue and to improve the quality of life in patients with ME/CFS. Future clinical trials should further assess the potential benefits of NAD+ supplements for reducing some of the clinical features of ME/CFS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mona Dehhaghi
- Neuroinflammation Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia.
- PANDIS.org, Australia.
| | | | - Bahar Kavyani
- Neuroinflammation Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia.
| | - Benjamin Heng
- Neuroinflammation Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia.
- PANDIS.org, Australia.
| | - Vanessa Tan
- Neuroinflammation Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia.
- PANDIS.org, Australia.
| | - Nady Braidy
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Gilles J. Guillemin
- Neuroinflammation Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia.
- PANDIS.org, Australia.
- Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. Gilles J. Guillemin, Neuroinflammation Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia. .
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Cohen SP, Wang EJ, Doshi TL, Vase L, Cawcutt KA, Tontisirin N. Chronic pain and infection: mechanisms, causes, conditions, treatments, and controversies. BMJ MEDICINE 2022; 1:e000108. [PMID: 36936554 PMCID: PMC10012866 DOI: 10.1136/bmjmed-2021-000108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Throughout human history, infection has been the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with pain being one of the cardinal warning signs. However, in a substantial percentage of cases, pain can persist after resolution of acute illness, manifesting as neuropathic, nociplastic (eg, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome), or nociceptive pain. Mechanisms by which acute infectious pain becomes chronic are variable and can include immunological phenomena (eg, bystander activation, molecular mimicry), direct microbe invasion, central sensitization from physical or psychological triggers, and complications from treatment. Microbes resulting in a high incidence of chronic pain include bacteria such as the Borrelia species and Mycobacterium leprae, as well as viruses such as HIV, SARS-CoV-2 and herpeses. Emerging evidence also supports an infectious cause in a subset of patients with discogenic low back pain and inflammatory bowel disease. Although antimicrobial treatment might have a role in treating chronic pain states that involve active infectious inflammatory processes, their use in chronic pain conditions resulting from autoimmune mechanisms, central sensitization and irrevocable tissue (eg, arthropathy, vasculitis) or nerve injury, are likely to cause more harm than benefit. This review focuses on the relation between infection and chronic pain, with an emphasis on common viral and bacterial causes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven P Cohen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Neurology, and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Anesthesiology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Eric J Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tina L Doshi
- Departments of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine and Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lene Vase
- Department of Psychology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kelly A Cawcutt
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Nuj Tontisirin
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
James LM, Georgopoulos AP. At the Root of 3 “Long” Diseases: Persistent Antigens Inflicting Chronic Damage on the Brain and Other Organs in Gulf War Illness, Long-COVID-19, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Neurosci Insights 2022; 17:26331055221114817. [PMID: 35910083 PMCID: PMC9335483 DOI: 10.1177/26331055221114817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Several foreign antigens such as those derived from viruses and bacteria have been linked to long-term deleterious effects on the brain and other organs; yet, health outcomes subsequent to foreign antigen exposure vary depending in large part on the host’s immune system, in general, and on human leukocyte antigen (HLA) composition, in particular. Here we first provide a brief description of 3 conditions characterized by persistent long-term symptoms, namely long-COVID-19, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and Gulf War Illness (GWI), followed by a brief overview of the role of HLA in the immune response to foreign antigens. We then discuss our Persistent Antigen (PA) hypothesis and highlight associations between antigen persistence due to HLA-antigen incongruence and chronic health conditions in general and the 3 “long” diseases above in particular. This review is not intended to cover the breadth and depth of symptomatology of those diseases but is specifically focused on the hypothesis that the presence of persistent antigens underlies their pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M James
- Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Brain Sciences Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Center for Cognitive Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Apostolos P Georgopoulos
- Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Brain Sciences Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Center for Cognitive Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Stanculescu D, Sepúlveda N, Lim CL, Bergquist J. Lessons From Heat Stroke for Understanding Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Front Neurol 2021; 12:789784. [PMID: 34966354 PMCID: PMC8710546 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.789784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
We here provide an overview of the pathophysiological mechanisms during heat stroke and describe similar mechanisms found in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Both conditions are characterized by disturbed homeostasis in which inflammatory pathways play a central role. Splanchnic vasoconstriction, increased gut permeability, gut-related endotoxemia, systemic inflammatory response, central nervous system dysfunction, blood coagulation disorder, endothelial-cell injury, and mitochondrial dysfunction underlie heat stroke. These mechanisms have also been documented in ME/CFS. Moreover, initial transcriptomic studies suggest that similar gene expressions are altered in both heat stroke and ME/CFS. Finally, some predisposing factors for heat stroke, such as pre-existing inflammation or infection, overlap with those for ME/CFS. Notwithstanding important differences - and despite heat stroke being an acute condition - the overlaps between heat stroke and ME/CFS suggest common pathways in the physiological responses to very different forms of stressors, which are manifested in different clinical outcomes. The human studies and animal models of heat stroke provide an explanation for the self-perpetuation of homeostatic imbalance centered around intestinal wall injury, which could also inform the understanding of ME/CFS. Moreover, the studies of novel therapeutics for heat stroke might provide new avenues for the treatment of ME/CFS. Future research should be conducted to investigate the similarities between heat stroke and ME/CFS to help identify the potential treatments for ME/CFS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nuno Sepúlveda
- CEAUL-Centro de Estatística e Aplicações da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Department of Mathematics and Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Chin Leong Lim
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jonas Bergquist
- Analytical Chemistry and Neurochemistry, Department of Chemistry-BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,The ME/CFS Collaborative Research Center at Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Yong SJ, Liu S. Proposed subtypes of post-COVID-19 syndrome (or long-COVID) and their respective potential therapies. Rev Med Virol 2021; 32:e2315. [PMID: 34888989 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a highly transmissible infectious respiratory disease that has initiated an ongoing pandemic since early 2020, do not always end in the acute phase. Depending on the study referred, about 10%-30% (or more) of COVID-19 survivors may develop long-COVID or post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS), characterised by persistent symptoms (most commonly fatigue, dyspnoea, and cognitive impairments) lasting for 3 months or more after acute COVID-19. While the pathophysiological mechanisms of PCS have been extensively described elsewhere, the subtypes of PCS have not. Owing to its highly multifaceted nature, this review proposes and characterises six subtypes of PCS based on the existing literature. The subtypes are non-severe COVID-19 multi-organ sequelae (NSC-MOS), pulmonary fibrosis sequelae (PFS), myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) and medical or clinical sequelae (MCS). Original studies supporting each of these subtypes are documented in this review, as well as their respective symptoms and potential interventions. Ultimately, the subtyping proposed herein aims to provide better clarity on the current understanding of PCS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shin Jie Yong
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Shiliang Liu
- Centre for Surveillance and Applied Research, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Ruiz-Pablos M, Paiva B, Montero-Mateo R, Garcia N, Zabaleta A. Epstein-Barr Virus and the Origin of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Front Immunol 2021; 12:656797. [PMID: 34867935 PMCID: PMC8634673 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.656797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) affects approximately 1% of the general population. It is a chronic, disabling, multi-system disease for which there is no effective treatment. This is probably related to the limited knowledge about its origin. Here, we summarized the current knowledge about the pathogenesis of ME/CFS and revisit the immunopathobiology of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Given the similarities between EBV-associated autoimmune diseases and cancer in terms of poor T cell surveillance of cells with EBV latency, expanded EBV-infected cells in peripheral blood and increased antibodies against EBV, we hypothesize that there could be a common etiology generated by cells with EBV latency that escape immune surveillance. Albeit inconclusive, multiple studies in patients with ME/CFS have suggested an altered cellular immunity and augmented Th2 response that could result from mechanisms of evasion to some pathogens such as EBV, which has been identified as a risk factor in a subset of ME/CFS patients. Namely, cells with latency may evade the immune system in individuals with genetic predisposition to develop ME/CFS and in consequence, there could be poor CD4 T cell immunity to mitogens and other specific antigens, as it has been described in some individuals. Ultimately, we hypothesize that within ME/CFS there is a subgroup of patients with DRB1 and DQB1 alleles that could confer greater susceptibility to EBV, where immune evasion mechanisms generated by cells with latency induce immunodeficiency. Accordingly, we propose new endeavors to investigate if anti-EBV therapies could be effective in selected ME/CFS patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Bruno Paiva
- Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Centro de Investigación Medica Aplicada (CIMA), IdiSNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Nicolas Garcia
- Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Centro de Investigación Medica Aplicada (CIMA), IdiSNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Aintzane Zabaleta
- Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Centro de Investigación Medica Aplicada (CIMA), IdiSNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Limbic Perfusion Is Reduced in Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Tomography 2021; 7:675-687. [PMID: 34842817 PMCID: PMC8628916 DOI: 10.3390/tomography7040056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is an illness characterized by a diverse range of debilitating symptoms including autonomic, immunologic, and cognitive dysfunction. Although neurological and cognitive aberrations have been consistently reported, relatively little is known regarding the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in ME/CFS. In this study, we studied a cohort of 31 ME/CSF patients (average age: 42.8 ± 13.5 years) and 48 healthy controls (average age: 42.9 ± 12.0 years) using the pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (PCASL) technique on a whole-body clinical 3T MRI scanner. Besides routine clinical MRI, the protocol included a session of over 8 min-long rCBF measurement. The differences in the rCBF between the ME/CSF patients and healthy controls were statistically assessed with voxel-wise and AAL ROI-based two-sample t-tests. Linear regression analysis was also performed on the rCBF data by using the symptom severity score as the main regressor. In comparison with the healthy controls, the patient group showed significant hypoperfusion (uncorrected voxel wise p ≤ 0.001, FWE p ≤ 0.01) in several brain regions of the limbic system, including the anterior cingulate cortex, putamen, pallidum, and anterior ventral insular area. For the ME/CFS patients, the overall symptom severity score at rest was significantly associated with a reduced rCBF in the anterior cingulate cortex. The results of this study show that brain blood flow abnormalities in the limbic system may contribute to ME/CFS pathogenesis.
Collapse
|
27
|
Bateman L, Bested AC, Bonilla HF, Chheda BV, Chu L, Curtin JM, Dempsey TT, Dimmock ME, Dowell TG, Felsenstein D, Kaufman DL, Klimas NG, Komaroff AL, Lapp CW, Levine SM, Montoya JG, Natelson BH, Peterson DL, Podell RN, Rey IR, Ruhoy IS, Vera-Nunez MA, Yellman BP. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Essentials of Diagnosis and Management. Mayo Clin Proc 2021; 96:2861-2878. [PMID: 34454716 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2021.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) affecting millions of people worldwide, many clinicians lack the knowledge to appropriately diagnose or manage ME/CFS. Unfortunately, clinical guidance has been scarce, obsolete, or potentially harmful. Consequently, up to 91% of patients in the United States remain undiagnosed, and those diagnosed often receive inappropriate treatment. These problems are of increasing importance because after acute COVID-19, a significant percentage of people remain ill for many months with an illness similar to ME/CFS. In 2015, the US National Academy of Medicine published new evidence-based clinical diagnostic criteria that have been adopted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Furthermore, the United States and other governments as well as major health care organizations have recently withdrawn graded exercise and cognitive-behavioral therapy as the treatment of choice for patients with ME/CFS. Recently, 21 clinicians specializing in ME/CFS convened to discuss best clinical practices for adults affected by ME/CFS. This article summarizes their top recommendations for generalist and specialist health care providers based on recent scientific progress and decades of clinical experience. There are many steps that clinicians can take to improve the health, function, and quality of life of those with ME/CFS, including those in whom ME/CFS develops after COVID-19. Patients with a lingering illness that follows acute COVID-19 who do not fully meet criteria for ME/CFS may also benefit from these approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alison C Bested
- Integrative Medicine, Dr Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
| | - Hector F Bonilla
- Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
| | | | - Lily Chu
- Independent Consultant, Burlingame, CA.
| | | | | | | | | | - Donna Felsenstein
- Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | | | - Nancy G Klimas
- Institute for Neuro Immune Medicine, Dr Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
| | | | | | | | - Jose G Montoya
- Dr Jack S. Remington Laboratory for Specialty Diagnostics, Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Benjamin H Natelson
- Pain & Fatigue Study Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | | | | | - Irma R Rey
- Institute for Neuro Immune Medicine, Dr Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
| | - Ilene S Ruhoy
- Neurology, Chiari/EDS Center, Mount Sinai South Nassau, Oceanside, NY
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Varesi A, Deumer US, Ananth S, Ricevuti G. The Emerging Role of Gut Microbiota in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Current Evidence and Potential Therapeutic Applications. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10215077. [PMID: 34768601 PMCID: PMC8584653 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10215077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The well-known symptoms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) are chronic pain, cognitive dysfunction, post-exertional malaise and severe fatigue. Another class of symptoms commonly reported in the context of ME/CFS are gastrointestinal (GI) problems. These may occur due to comorbidities such as Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or as a symptom of ME/CFS itself due to an interruption of the complex interplay between the gut microbiota (GM) and the host GI tract. An altered composition and overall decrease in diversity of GM has been observed in ME/CFS cases compared to controls. In this review, we reflect on genetics, infections, and other influences that may factor into the alterations seen in the GM of ME/CFS individuals, we discuss consequences arising from these changes, and we contemplate the therapeutic potential of treating the gut to alleviate ME/CFS symptoms holistically.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angelica Varesi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Almo Collegio Borromeo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.V.); (G.R.)
| | - Undine-Sophie Deumer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Sanjana Ananth
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK;
| | - Giovanni Ricevuti
- Department of Drug Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.V.); (G.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Deumer US, Varesi A, Floris V, Savioli G, Mantovani E, López-Carrasco P, Rosati GM, Prasad S, Ricevuti G. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): An Overview. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10204786. [PMID: 34682909 PMCID: PMC8538807 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10204786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic systemic disease that manifests via various symptoms such as chronic fatigue, post-exertional malaise, and cognitive impairment described as “brain fog”. These symptoms often prevent patients from keeping up their pre-disease onset lifestyle, as extended periods of physical or mental activity become almost impossible. However, the disease presents heterogeneously with varying severity across patients. Therefore, consensus criteria have been designed to provide a diagnosis based on symptoms. To date, no biomarker-based tests or diagnoses are available, since the molecular changes observed also largely differ from patient to patient. In this review, we discuss the infectious, genetic, and hormonal components that may be involved in CFS pathogenesis, we scrutinize the role of gut microbiota in disease progression, we highlight the potential of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) for the development of diagnostic tools and briefly mention the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 infection causing CFS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Undine-Sophie Deumer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Angelica Varesi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Almo Collegio Borromeo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.V.); (G.R.)
| | - Valentina Floris
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Gabriele Savioli
- Emergency Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Elisa Mantovani
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Neurology Section, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy;
| | - Paulina López-Carrasco
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City 04510, Mexico;
| | | | - Sakshi Prasad
- National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, 21018 Vinnytsya, Ukraine;
| | - Giovanni Ricevuti
- School of Pharmacy, Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.V.); (G.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Krogsgaard LW, Petersen I, Plana-Ripoll O, Bech BH, Lützen TH, Thomsen RW, Rytter D. Infections in temporal proximity to HPV vaccination and adverse effects following vaccination in Denmark: A nationwide register-based cohort study and case-crossover analysis. PLoS Med 2021; 18:e1003768. [PMID: 34495975 PMCID: PMC8457493 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Public trust in the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination programme has been challenged by reports of potential severe adverse effects. The reported adverse symptoms were heterogeneous and overlapping with those characterised as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and have been described as CFS-like symptoms. Evidence suggests that CFS is often precipitated by an infection. The aim of the study was to examine if an infection in temporal proximity to HPV vaccination is a risk factor for suspected adverse effects following HPV vaccination. METHODS AND FINDINGS The study was a nationwide register-based cohort study and case-crossover analysis. The study population consisted of all HPV vaccinated females living in Denmark, born between 1974 and 2006, and vaccinated between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2017. The exposure was any infection in the period ± 1 month around time of first HPV vaccination and was defined as (1) hospital-treated infection; (2) redemption of anti-infective medication; or (3) having a rapid streptococcal test done at the general practitioner. The outcome was referral to a specialised hospital setting (5 national HPV centres opened June 1, 2015) due to suspected adverse effects following HPV vaccination. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the association between infection and later HPV centre referral. The participants were 600,400 HPV-vaccinated females aged 11 to 44 years. Of these, 48,361 (9.7%) females had a hospital-treated infection, redeemed anti-infective medication, or had a rapid streptococcal test ± 1 month around time of first HPV vaccination. A total of 1,755 (0.3%) females were referred to an HPV centre. Having a hospital-treated infection in temporal proximity to vaccination was associated with significantly elevated risk of later referral to an HPV centre (odds ratio (OR) 2.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.72 to 4.40; P < 0.001). Increased risk was also observed among females who redeemed anti-infective medication (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.33 to 1.83; P < 0.001) or had a rapid streptococcal test (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.93; P = 0.010). Results from a case-crossover analysis, which was performed to adjust for potential unmeasured confounding, supported the findings. A key limitation of the study is that the HPV centres did not open until June 1, 2015, which may have led to an underestimation of the risk of suspected adverse effects, but stratified analyses by year of vaccination yielded similar results. CONCLUSIONS Treated infection in temporal proximity to HPV vaccination is associated with increased risk for later referral with suspected adverse vaccine effects. Thus, the infection could potentially be a trigger of the CFS-like symptoms in a subset of the referred females. To our knowledge, the study is the first to investigate the role of infection in the development of suspected adverse effects after HPV vaccination and replication of these findings are needed in other studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lene Wulff Krogsgaard
- Research Unit for Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
- * E-mail:
| | - Irene Petersen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, Faculty of Population Health Sciences, University College London, United Kingdom
| | - Oleguer Plana-Ripoll
- National Centre for Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Aarhus V, Denmark
| | - Bodil Hammer Bech
- Research Unit for Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Tina Hovgaard Lützen
- Research Unit for Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | - Dorte Rytter
- Research Unit for Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Monzón-Nomdedeu MB, Morten KJ, Oltra E. Induced pluripotent stem cells as suitable sensors for fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. World J Stem Cells 2021; 13:1134-1150. [PMID: 34567431 PMCID: PMC8422931 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v13.i8.1134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibromyalgia (FM) and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) are devastating metabolic neuroimmune diseases that are difficult to diagnose because of the presence of numerous symptoms and a lack of specific biomarkers. Despite patient heterogeneity linked to patient subgroups and variation in disease severity, anomalies are found in the blood and plasma of these patients when compared with healthy control groups. The seeming specificity of these “plasma factors”, as recently reported by Ron Davis and his group at Stanford University, CA, United States, and observations by our group, have led to the proposal that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) may be used as metabolic sensors for FM and ME/CFS, a hypothesis that is the basis for this in-depth review.
AIM To identify metabolic signatures in FM and/or ME/CFS supporting the existence of disease-associated plasma factors to be sensed by iPSCs.
METHODS A PRISMA (Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis)-based systematic review of the literature was used to select original studies evaluating the metabolite profiles of FM and ME/CFS body fluids. The MeSH terms “metabolomic” or “metabolites” in combination with FM and ME/CFS disease terms were screened against the PubMed database. Only original studies applying omics technologies, published in English, were included. The data obtained were tabulated according to the disease and type of body fluid analyzed. Coincidences across studies were searched and P-values reported by the original studies were gathered to document significant differences found in the disease groups.
RESULTS Eighteen previous studies show that some metabolites are commonly altered in ME/CFS and FM body fluids. In vitro cell-based assays have the potential to be developed as screening platforms, providing evidence for the existence of factors in patient body fluids capable of altering morphology, differentiation state and/or growth patterns. Moreover, they can be further developed using approaches aimed at blocking or reversing the effects of specific plasma/serum factors seen in patients. The documented high sensitivity and effective responses of iPSCs to environmental cues suggests that these pluripotent cells could form robust, reproducible reporter systems of metabolic diseases, including ME/CFS and FM. Furthermore, culturing iPSCs, or their mesenchymal stem cell counterparts, in patient-conditioned medium may provide valuable information to predict individual outcomes to stem-cell therapy in the context of precision medicine studies.
CONCLUSION This opinion review explains our hypothesis that iPSCs could be developed as a screening platform to provide evidence of a metabolic imbalance in FM and ME/CFS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María B Monzón-Nomdedeu
- School of Biotechnology, Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, Valencia 46001, Spain
| | - Karl J Morten
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, The Women Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Elisa Oltra
- Department of Pathology, Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, Valencia 46001, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Traslacional San Alberto Magno, Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, Valencia 46001, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Hoel F, Hoel A, Pettersen IK, Rekeland IG, Risa K, Alme K, Sørland K, Fosså A, Lien K, Herder I, Thürmer HL, Gotaas ME, Schäfer C, Berge RK, Sommerfelt K, Marti HP, Dahl O, Mella O, Fluge Ø, Tronstad KJ. A map of metabolic phenotypes in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. JCI Insight 2021; 6:e149217. [PMID: 34423789 PMCID: PMC8409979 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.149217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating disease usually presenting after infection. Emerging evidence supports that energy metabolism is affected in ME/CFS, but a unifying metabolic phenotype has not been firmly established. We performed global metabolomics, lipidomics, and hormone measurements, and we used exploratory data analyses to compare serum from 83 patients with ME/CFS and 35 healthy controls. Some changes were common in the patient group, and these were compatible with effects of elevated energy strain and altered utilization of fatty acids and amino acids as catabolic fuels. In addition, a set of heterogeneous effects reflected specific changes in 3 subsets of patients, and 2 of these expressed characteristic contexts of deregulated energy metabolism. The biological relevance of these metabolic phenotypes (metabotypes) was supported by clinical data and independent blood analyses. In summary, we report a map of common and context-dependent metabolic changes in ME/CFS, and some of them presented possible associations with clinical patient profiles. We suggest that elevated energy strain may result from exertion-triggered tissue hypoxia and lead to systemic metabolic adaptation and compensation. Through various mechanisms, such metabolic dysfunction represents a likely mediator of key symptoms in ME/CFS and possibly a target for supportive intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - August Hoel
- Department of Biomedicine and.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Ingrid G Rekeland
- Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kristin Risa
- Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kine Alme
- Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kari Sørland
- Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Alexander Fosså
- Department of Oncology, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,KJ Jebsen Centre for B-cell malignancies, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Katarina Lien
- CFS/ME Center, Division of Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingrid Herder
- CFS/ME Center, Division of Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Merete E Gotaas
- Department of Pain and Complex Disorders, St. Olav's Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Christoph Schäfer
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Rolf K Berge
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kristian Sommerfelt
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Pediatrics and
| | - Hans-Peter Marti
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Olav Dahl
- Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Olav Mella
- Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Øystein Fluge
- Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Malato J, Sotzny F, Bauer S, Freitag H, Fonseca A, Grabowska AD, Graça L, Cordeiro C, Nacul L, Lacerda EM, Castro-Marrero J, Scheibenbogen C, Westermeier F, Sepúlveda N. The SARS-CoV-2 receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A meta-analysis of public DNA methylation and gene expression data. Heliyon 2021; 7:e07665. [PMID: 34341773 PMCID: PMC8320404 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
People with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) often report a high frequency of viral infections and flu-like symptoms during their disease course. Given that this reporting agrees with different immunological abnormalities and altered gene expression profiles observed in the disease, we aimed at answering whether the expression of the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the major cell entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2, is also altered in these patients. In particular, a low expression of ACE2 could be indicative of a high risk of developing COVID-19. We then performed a meta-analysis of public data on CpG DNA methylation and gene expression of this enzyme and its homologous ACE protein in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and related subsets. We found that patients with ME/CFS have decreased methylation levels of four CpG probes in the ACE locus (cg09920557, cg19802564, cg21094739, and cg10468385) and of another probe in the promoter region of the ACE2 gene (cg08559914). We also found a decreased expression of ACE2 but not of ACE in patients when compared to healthy controls. Accordingly, in newly collected data, there was evidence for a significant higher proportion of samples with an ACE2 expression below the limit of detection in patients than healthy controls. Altogether, patients with ME/CFS can be at a higher COVID-19 risk and, if so, they should be considered a priority group for vaccination by public health authorities. To further support this conclusion, similar research is recommended for other human cell entry receptors and cell types, namely, those cells targeted by the virus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João Malato
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- CEAUL – Centro de Estatística e Aplicações, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Franziska Sotzny
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Medical Immunology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandra Bauer
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Medical Immunology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Helma Freitag
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Medical Immunology, Berlin, Germany
| | - André Fonseca
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Anna D. Grabowska
- Department of Biophysics, Physiology, and Pathophysiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Luís Graça
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Clara Cordeiro
- CEAUL – Centro de Estatística e Aplicações, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Luís Nacul
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Complex Chronic Diseases Program, British Columbia Women's Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Eliana M. Lacerda
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jesus Castro-Marrero
- Vall d’Hebron Hospital Research Institute, Division of Rheumatology, ME/CFS Unit, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Scheibenbogen
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Medical Immunology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Francisco Westermeier
- Institute of Biomedical Science, Department of Health Studies, FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences, Graz, Austria
- Centro Integrativo de Biología y Química Aplicada (CIBQA), Universidad Bernardo O´Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nuno Sepúlveda
- CEAUL – Centro de Estatística e Aplicações, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Medical Immunology, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Domingues TD, Grabowska AD, Lee JS, Ameijeiras-Alonso J, Westermeier F, Scheibenbogen C, Cliff JM, Nacul L, Lacerda EM, Mouriño H, Sepúlveda N. Herpesviruses Serology Distinguishes Different Subgroups of Patients From the United Kingdom Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Biobank. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:686736. [PMID: 34291062 PMCID: PMC8287507 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.686736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The evidence of an association between Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and chronic herpesviruses infections remains inconclusive. Two reasons for the lack of consistent evidence are the large heterogeneity of the patients' population with different disease triggers and the use of arbitrary cutoffs for defining seropositivity. In this work we re-analyzed previously published serological data related to 7 herpesvirus antigens. Patients with ME/CFS were subdivided into four subgroups related to the disease triggers: S0-42 patients who did not know their disease trigger; S1-43 patients who reported a non-infection trigger; S2-93 patients who reported an infection trigger, but that infection was not confirmed by a lab test; and S3-48 patients who reported an infection trigger and that infection was confirmed by a lab test. In accordance with a sensitivity analysis, the data were compared to those from 99 healthy controls allowing the seropositivity cutoffs to vary within a wide range of possible values. We found a negative association between S1 and seropositivity to Epstein-Barr virus (VCA and EBNA1 antigens) and Varicella-Zoster virus using specific seropositivity cutoff. However, this association was not significant when controlling for multiple testing. We also found that S3 had a lower seroprevalence to the human cytomegalovirus when compared to healthy controls for all cutoffs used for seropositivity and after adjusting for multiple testing using the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure. However, this association did not reach statistical significance when using Benjamini-Yekutieli procedure. In summary, herpesviruses serology could distinguish subgroups of ME/CFS patients according to their disease trigger, but this finding could be eventually affected by the problem of multiple testing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Dias Domingues
- Departamento de Estatística e Investigação Operacional, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- CEAUL–Centro de Estatística e Aplicações da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Anna D. Grabowska
- Department of Biophysics, Physiology, and Pathophysiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ji-Sook Lee
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jose Ameijeiras-Alonso
- Department of Statistics, Mathematical Analysis and Optimization, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Francisco Westermeier
- Institute of Biomedical Science, Department of Health Studies, FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences, Graz, Austria
- Centro Integrativo de Biología y Química Aplicada (CIBQA), Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carmen Scheibenbogen
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jacqueline M. Cliff
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Luis Nacul
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Complex Chronic Diseases Program, British Columbia Women's Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Eliana M. Lacerda
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Helena Mouriño
- Departamento de Estatística e Investigação Operacional, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- CMAFcIO–Center of Mathematics, Fundamental Applications and Operations Research, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sepúlveda
- CEAUL–Centro de Estatística e Aplicações da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Moghimi N, Di Napoli M, Biller J, Siegler JE, Shekhar R, McCullough LD, Harkins MS, Hong E, Alaouieh DA, Mansueto G, Divani AA. The Neurological Manifestations of Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2021; 21:44. [PMID: 34181102 PMCID: PMC8237541 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-021-01130-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a global health challenge. This review aims to summarize the incidence, risk factors, possible pathophysiology, and proposed management of neurological manifestations of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) or neuro-PASC based on the published literature. Recent Findings The National Institutes of Health has noted that PASC is a multi-organ disorder ranging from mild symptoms to an incapacitating state that can last for weeks or longer following recovery from initial infection with SARS-CoV-2. Various pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed as the culprit for the development of PASC. These include, but are not limited to, direct or indirect invasion of the virus into the brain, immune dysregulation, hormonal disturbances, elevated cytokine levels due to immune reaction leading to chronic inflammation, direct tissue damage to other organs, and persistent low-grade infection. A multidisciplinary approach for the treatment of neuro-PASC will be required to diagnose and address these symptoms. Tailored rehabilitation and novel cognitive therapy protocols are as important as pharmacological treatments to treat neuro-PASC effectively. Summary With recognizing the growing numbers of COVID-19 patients suffering from neuro-PASC, there is an urgent need to identify affected individuals early to provide the most appropriate and efficient treatments. Awareness among the general population and health care professionals about PASC is rising, and more efforts are needed to understand and treat this new emerging challenge. In this review, we summarize the relevant scientific literature about neuro-PASC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Narges Moghimi
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC10-5620, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA
| | - Mario Di Napoli
- Neurological Service, SS Annunziata Hospital, Sulmona, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - José Biller
- Department of Neurology, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL USA
| | - James E. Siegler
- Cooper Neurological Institute, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ 08103 USA
| | - Rahul Shekhar
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM USA
| | - Louise D. McCullough
- Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston, Texas USA
| | - Michelle S. Harkins
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM USA
| | - Emily Hong
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC10-5620, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA
| | - Danielle A. Alaouieh
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC10-5620, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA
| | - Gelsomina Mansueto
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania, Naples, Italy
| | - Afshin A. Divani
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC10-5620, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Sfera A, Osorio C, Zapata Martín del Campo CM, Pereida S, Maurer S, Maldonado JC, Kozlakidis Z. Endothelial Senescence and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a COVID-19 Based Hypothesis. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:673217. [PMID: 34248502 PMCID: PMC8267916 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.673217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is a serious illness of unknown etiology, characterized by debilitating exhaustion, memory impairment, pain and sleep abnormalities. Viral infections are believed to initiate the pathogenesis of this syndrome although the definite proof remains elusive. With the unfolding of COVID-19 pandemic, the interest in this condition has resurfaced as excessive tiredness, a major complaint of patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, often lingers for a long time, resulting in disability, and poor life quality. In a previous article, we hypothesized that COVID-19-upregulated angiotensin II triggered premature endothelial cell senescence, disrupting the intestinal and blood brain barriers. Here, we hypothesize further that post-viral sequelae, including myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, are promoted by the gut microbes or toxin translocation from the gastrointestinal tract into other tissues, including the brain. This model is supported by the SARS-CoV-2 interaction with host proteins and bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Conversely, targeting microbial translocation and cellular senescence may ameliorate the symptoms of this disabling illness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adonis Sfera
- Patton State Hospital, San Bernardino, CA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Steve Maurer
- Patton State Hospital, San Bernardino, CA, United States
| | - Jose Campo Maldonado
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, United States
| | - Zisis Kozlakidis
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Lyon, France
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
González-Hermosillo JA, Martínez-López JP, Carrillo-Lampón SA, Ruiz-Ojeda D, Herrera-Ramírez S, Amezcua-Guerra LM, Martínez-Alvarado MDR. Post-Acute COVID-19 Symptoms, a Potential Link with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A 6-Month Survey in a Mexican Cohort. Brain Sci 2021; 11:760. [PMID: 34201087 PMCID: PMC8227652 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11060760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to describe the clinical evolution during 6 months of follow-up of adults recovered from COVID-19. We tried to determine how many met the definition of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). A total of 130 patients (51.0 ± 14 years, 34.6% female) were enrolled. Symptoms were common, participants reported a median number of 9 (IQR 5-14) symptoms. Fatigue was the most common symptom (61/130; 46.9%). Patients with fatigue were older 53.9 ± 13.5 years compared with 48.5 ± 13.3 years in those without fatigue (p = 0.02) and had a longer length of hospital stay, 17 ± 14 days vs. 13 ± 10 days (p = 0.04). There was no difference in other comorbidities between patients with fatigue and those without it, and no association between COVID-19 severity and fatigue. After multivariate adjustment of all baseline clinical features, only age 40 to 50 years old was positively associated with fatigue, OR 2.5 (95% CI 1.05-6.05) p = 0.03. In our survey, only 17 (13%) patients met the Institute of Medicine's criteria for "systemic exertion intolerance disease," the new name of ME/CFS. In conclusion, in some patients, the features of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome overlap with the clinical features of ME/CFS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Antonio González-Hermosillo
- Department of Cardiovascular Dysautonomia, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (J.A.G.-H.); (J.P.M.-L.); (S.A.C.-L.); (D.R.-O.); (S.H.-R.)
| | - Jhanea Patricia Martínez-López
- Department of Cardiovascular Dysautonomia, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (J.A.G.-H.); (J.P.M.-L.); (S.A.C.-L.); (D.R.-O.); (S.H.-R.)
| | - Sofía Antonieta Carrillo-Lampón
- Department of Cardiovascular Dysautonomia, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (J.A.G.-H.); (J.P.M.-L.); (S.A.C.-L.); (D.R.-O.); (S.H.-R.)
| | - Dayanara Ruiz-Ojeda
- Department of Cardiovascular Dysautonomia, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (J.A.G.-H.); (J.P.M.-L.); (S.A.C.-L.); (D.R.-O.); (S.H.-R.)
| | - Sharon Herrera-Ramírez
- Department of Cardiovascular Dysautonomia, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (J.A.G.-H.); (J.P.M.-L.); (S.A.C.-L.); (D.R.-O.); (S.H.-R.)
| | - Luis M. Amezcua-Guerra
- Department of Immunology, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City 14080, Mexico;
| | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Ghali A, Lacout C, Ghali M, Gury A, Delattre E, Lavigne C, Urbanski G. Warning Signals of Post-Exertional Malaise in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Retrospective Analysis of 197 Patients. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10112517. [PMID: 34200126 PMCID: PMC8201170 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10112517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-exertional malaise (PEM), the key feature of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), is characterized by baseline symptom exacerbation after exposure to a stressor, and some patients can experience new or non-typical symptoms. We hypothesized that new or non-typical symptoms occurring long enough before onset of baseline symptom exacerbation could be warning signals predicting PEM. Adult ME/CFS patients who attended the internal medicine department of Angers University Hospital (France) between October 2011 and December 2019 were included in a retrospective medical records review. Patients who experienced one or more new or non-typical symptoms before baseline symptom exacerbation were compared with the rest of the study population for PEM features, epidemiological characteristics, fatigue features, and comorbidities. New or non-typical symptoms preceded baseline symptom exacerbation in 27/197 (13.7%) patients, and the most frequent ones were mood disorders (37%). When compared to the rest of the study population, only PEM intensity was significantly lower in these patients (p = 0.004), even after adjustment for sex and age at disease onset (p = 0.007). New or non-typical symptoms preceding baseline symptom exacerbation in some ME/CFS patients could be warning signals for PEM. Their identification could help preventing PEM occurrences or reducing their intensity leading to improving disease prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alaa Ghali
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Angers University Hospital, 49933 Angers, France; (C.L.); (A.G.); (E.D.); (C.L.); (G.U.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-(0)2-4135-4003; Fax: +33-(0)2-4135-4969
| | - Carole Lacout
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Angers University Hospital, 49933 Angers, France; (C.L.); (A.G.); (E.D.); (C.L.); (G.U.)
| | - Maria Ghali
- Department of general medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Angers, 49045 Angers, France;
| | - Aline Gury
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Angers University Hospital, 49933 Angers, France; (C.L.); (A.G.); (E.D.); (C.L.); (G.U.)
| | - Estelle Delattre
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Angers University Hospital, 49933 Angers, France; (C.L.); (A.G.); (E.D.); (C.L.); (G.U.)
| | - Christian Lavigne
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Angers University Hospital, 49933 Angers, France; (C.L.); (A.G.); (E.D.); (C.L.); (G.U.)
| | - Geoffrey Urbanski
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Angers University Hospital, 49933 Angers, France; (C.L.); (A.G.); (E.D.); (C.L.); (G.U.)
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Malato J, Sotzny F, Bauer S, Freitag H, Fonseca A, Grabowska AD, Graça L, Cordeiro C, Nacul L, Lacerda EM, Castro-Marrero J, Scheibenbogen C, Westermeier F, Sepúlveda N. The SARS-CoV-2 receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: analysis of high-throughput epigenetic and gene expression studies. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2021:2021.03.23.21254175. [PMID: 33791744 PMCID: PMC8010776 DOI: 10.1101/2021.03.23.21254175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Patients affected by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) show specific epigenetic and gene expression signatures of the disease. However, it is unknown whether these signatures include abnormal levels of the human angiotensin-converting enzymes, ACE and ACE2, the latter being the main receptor described for the host-cell invasion by SARS-CoV-2. To investigate that, we first re-analyzed available case-control epigenome-wide association studies based on DNA methylation data, and case-control gene expression studies based on microarray data. From these published studies, we found an association between ME/CFS and 4 potentially hypomethylated probes located in the ACE locus. We also found another disease association with one hypomethylated probe located in the transcription start site of ACE2. The same disease associations were obtained for women but not for men after performing sex-specific analyses. In contrast, a meta-analysis of gene expression levels could not provide evidence for a differentially expression of ACE and ACE2 in affected patients when compared to healthy controls. In line with this negative finding, the analysis of a new data set on the gene expression of ACE and ACE2 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells did not find any differences between a female cohort of 37 patients and 34 age-matched healthy controls. Future studies should be conducted to extend this investigation to other potential receptors used by SARS-CoV-2. These studies will help researchers and clinicians to improve the understanding of the health risk imposed by this virus when infecting patients affected by this debilitating disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João Malato
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- CEAUL – Centro de Estatística e Aplicações, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Franziska Sotzny
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Medical Immunology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandra Bauer
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Medical Immunology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Helma Freitag
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Medical Immunology, Berlin, Germany
| | - André Fonseca
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Anna D Grabowska
- Department of Biophysics and Human Physiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Luís Graça
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Clara Cordeiro
- CEAUL – Centro de Estatística e Aplicações, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Luís Nacul
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Complex Chronic Diseases Program, British Columbia Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Eliana M Lacerda
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jesus Castro-Marrero
- Vall d’Hebron Hospital Research Institute, Division of Rheumatology, ME/CFS Unit, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Scheibenbogen
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Medical Immunology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Francisco Westermeier
- Institute of Biomedical Science, FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences, Graz, Austria
- Centro de Biología y Química Aplicada (CIBQA), Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nuno Sepúlveda
- CEAUL – Centro de Estatística e Aplicações, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Medical Immunology, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Haghighi S, Forsmark S, Zachrisson O, Carlsson A, Nilsson MKL, Carlsson ML, Schuit RC, Gottfries CG. Open-label study with the monoamine stabilizer (-)-OSU6162 in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e02040. [PMID: 33528911 PMCID: PMC8035472 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of the present study was to investigate the safety and tolerability of the monoaminergic stabilizer (-)-OSU6162 in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). In addition, a potential therapeutic effect of (-)-OSU6162 in ME/CFS was evaluated by means of observer-rated scales and self-assessment rating scales. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the current study using an open-label single-arm design ME/CFS patient received treatment with (-)-OSU6162 during 12 weeks. The patients received the following doses of (-)-OSU6162: 15 mg b.i.d. during the first 4-week period, up to 30 mg b.i.d. during the second 4-week period and up to 45 mg b.i.d. during the third 4-week period, with follow-up visits after 16 and 20 weeks. RESULTS Out of 33 included patients, 28 completed the 12 weeks treatment period. (-)-OSU6162 was well tolerated; only one patient discontinued due to an adverse event. Vital signs and physical examinations showed no abnormal changes. Blood analyses showed an increase in serum prolactin. Therapeutically, improvements were seen on the Clinical Global Impression of Change scale, the FibroFatigue scale, the Mental Fatigue Scale, the Fatigue Severity Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS (-)-OSU6162 is well tolerated in ME/CFS patients and shows promise as a novel treatment to mitigate fatigue and improve mood and health-related quality of life in ME/CFS. Obviously, the present results need to be confirmed in future placebo-controlled double-blind trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Haghighi
- Department of Neurology, Motala Hospital, Motala, Sweden
| | - Sara Forsmark
- Gottfries Clinic, Affiliated with Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Olof Zachrisson
- Gottfries Clinic, Affiliated with Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Arvid Carlsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Marie K L Nilsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maria L Carlsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Robert C Schuit
- Amsterdam University Medical Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carl-Gerhard Gottfries
- Gottfries Clinic, Affiliated with Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Chu L, Fuentes LR, Marshall OM, Mirin AA. Environmental accommodations for university students affected by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Work 2021; 66:315-326. [PMID: 32568151 DOI: 10.3233/wor-203176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Today, 24% of college and university students are affected by a chronic health condition or disability. Existing support programs, including disability services, within colleges and universities are often unaccustomed to addressing the fluctuating and unpredictable changes in health and functioning faced by students with severe chronic illnesses. This situation is especially difficult for students with lesser-known, invisible diseases like Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), a complex disease affecting up to 2.5 million Americans which often begins in late adolescence or young adulthood. OBJECTIVE Educate occupational therapists (OTs) about ME/CFS and steps they can take to assist students. METHODS This work is based on a review of the scientific literature and our collective professional/ personal experiences. RESULTS ME/CFS' effects on multiple organ systems combined with the unusual symptom of post-exertional malaise frequently and substantially decrease function. Currently, no effective disease-modifying treatments have been established. Nevertheless, OTs can help student maximize their participation in university life by identifying potential obstacles, formulating practical solutions and negotiating with their institutions to implement reasonable, environmental accommodations. CONCLUSIONS Through understanding this disease, being aware of possible support options, and recommending them as appropriate, OTs are in unique position to greatly improve these students' lives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lily Chu
- Independent Consultant, Burlingame, CA, USA
| | | | - Olena M Marshall
- Doctoral Candidate, Educational Leadership, DePaul University College of Education, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Sørland K, Sandvik MK, Rekeland IG, Ribu L, Småstuen MC, Mella O, Fluge Ø. Reduced Endothelial Function in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-Results From Open-Label Cyclophosphamide Intervention Study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:642710. [PMID: 33829023 PMCID: PMC8019750 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.642710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) present with a range of symptoms including post-exertional malaise (PEM), orthostatic intolerance, and autonomic dysfunction. Dysfunction of the blood vessel endothelium could be an underlying biological mechanism, resulting in inability to fine-tune regulation of blood flow according to the metabolic demands of tissues. The objectives of the present study were to investigate endothelial function in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy individuals, and assess possible changes in endothelial function after intervention with IV cyclophosphamide. Methods: This substudy to the open-label phase II trial "Cyclophosphamide in ME/CFS" included 40 patients with mild-moderate to severe ME/CFS according to Canadian consensus criteria, aged 18-65 years. Endothelial function was measured by Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and Post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) at baseline and repeated after 12 months. Endothelial function at baseline was compared with two cohorts of healthy controls (N = 66 and N = 30) from previous studies. Changes in endothelial function after 12 months were assessed and correlated with clinical response to cyclophosphamide. Biological markers for endothelial function were measured in serum at baseline and compared with healthy controls (N = 30). Results: Baseline FMD was significantly reduced in patients (median FMD 5.9%, range 0.5-13.1, n = 35) compared to healthy individuals (median FMD 7.7%, range 0.7-21, n = 66) (p = 0.005), as was PORH with patient score median 1,331 p.u. (range 343-4,334) vs. healthy individuals 1,886 p.u. (range 808-8,158) (p = 0.003). No significant associations were found between clinical response to cyclophosphamide intervention (reported in 55% of patients) and changes in FMD/PORH from baseline to 12 months. Serum levels of metabolites associated with endothelial dysfunction showed no significant differences between ME/CFS patients and healthy controls. Conclusions: Patients with ME/CFS had reduced endothelial function affecting both large and small vessels compared to healthy controls. Changes in endothelial function did not follow clinical responses during follow-up after cyclophosphamide IV intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kari Sørland
- Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Ingrid Gurvin Rekeland
- Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Science, Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lis Ribu
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Olav Mella
- Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Science, Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Øystein Fluge
- Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Science, Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
McCaddon A, Regland B. COVID-19: A methyl-group assault? Med Hypotheses 2021; 149:110543. [PMID: 33657459 PMCID: PMC7890339 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2021.110543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The socio-economic implications of COVID-19 are devastating. Considerable morbidity is attributed to ‘long-COVID’ – an increasingly recognized complication of infection. Its diverse symptoms are reminiscent of vitamin B12 deficiency, a condition in which methylation status is compromised. We suggest why SARS-CoV-2 infection likely leads to increased methyl-group requirements and other disturbances of one-carbon metabolism. We propose these might explain the varied symptoms of long-COVID. Our suggested mechanism might also apply to similar conditions such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. The hypothesis is evaluable by detailed determination of vitamin B12 and folate status, including serum formate as well as homocysteine and methylmalonic acid, and correlation with viral and host RNA methylation and symptomatology. If confirmed, methyl-group support should prove beneficial in such individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew McCaddon
- Gardden Road Surgery, Rhosllanerchrugog Wrexham, LL14 2EN, UK.
| | - Björn Regland
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Foster CG, Landowski LM, Sutherland BA, Howells DW. Differences in fatigue-like behavior in the lipopolysaccharide and poly I:C inflammatory animal models. Physiol Behav 2021; 232:113347. [PMID: 33529685 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Central fatigue is a condition associated with impairment of the central nervous system often leading to the manifestation of a range of debilitating symptoms. Fatigue can be a consequence of systemic inflammation following an infection. Administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and polyriboinosinic:polyribocytidlic (poly I:C) to animals can induce systemic inflammation by mimicking a bacterial or viral infection respectively and therefore have been used as models of fatigue. We evaluated a range of phenotypic behaviors exhibited in the LPS and poly I:C animal models to assess whether they adequately replicate fatigue symptomology in humans. In addition to standard observation- and intervention-based behavioral assessments, we used powerful in-cage monitoring technology to quantify rodent behavior without external interference. LPS and poly I:C treated Sprague Dawley rats displayed 'sickness behaviors' of elevated temperature, weight loss and reduced activity in the open field test and with in-cage monitoring within 24 h post-treatment, but only LPS-treated rats displayed these behaviors beyond these acute timepoints. Once sickness behavior diminished, LPS-treated rats exhibited an increase in reward-seeking and motivation behaviors. Overall, these results suggest that the LPS animal model produces an extensive and sustained fatigue-like phenotype, whereas the poly I:C model only produced acute effects. Our results suggest that the LPS animal model is a more suitable candidate for further studies on central fatigue-like behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine G Foster
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Lila M Landowski
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Brad A Sutherland
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - David W Howells
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Toogood PL, Clauw DJ, Phadke S, Hoffman D. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): Where will the drugs come from? Pharmacol Res 2021; 165:105465. [PMID: 33529750 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic debilitating disease characterized by severe and disabling fatigue that fails to improve with rest; it is commonly accompanied by multifocal pain, as well as sleep disruption, and cognitive dysfunction. Even mild exertion can exacerbate symptoms. The prevalence of ME/CFS in the U.S. is estimated to be 0.5-1.5 % and is higher among females. Viral infection is an established trigger for the onset of ME/CFS symptoms, raising the possibility of an increase in ME/CFS prevalence resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Current treatments are largely palliative and limited to alleviating symptoms and addressing the psychological sequelae associated with long-term disability. While ME/CFS is characterized by broad heterogeneity, common features include immune dysregulation and mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the underlying mechanistic basis of the disease remains poorly understood. Herein, we review the current understanding, diagnosis and treatment of ME/CFS and summarize past clinical studies aimed at identifying effective therapies. We describe the current status of mechanistic studies, including the identification of multiple targets for potential pharmacological intervention, and ongoing efforts towards the discovery of new medicines for ME/CFS treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter L Toogood
- Michigan Drug Discovery, University of Michigan, Life Science Institute, 210 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, North University Building, 428 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States.
| | - Daniel J Clauw
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Internal Medicine (Rheumatology) and Psychiatry, University of Michigan/Michigan Medicine, Chronic Pain and Fatigue Center, 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, P.O. Box 3885, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States
| | - Sameer Phadke
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, North University Building, 428 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States
| | - David Hoffman
- Cayman Chemical Company, 1180 E. Ellsworth Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, United States
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Human Herpesviruses Are Back! Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11020185. [PMID: 33572802 PMCID: PMC7912523 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) or Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease (SEID) is a chronic multisystem illness of unconfirmed etiology. There are currently no biomarkers and/or signatures available to assist in the diagnosis of the syndrome and while numerous mechanisms have been hypothesized to explain the pathology of ME/CFS, the triggers and/or drivers remain unknown. Initial studies suggested a potential role of the human herpesviruses especially Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the disease process but inconsistent and conflicting data led to the erroneous suggestion that these viruses had no role in the syndrome. New studies using more advanced approaches have now demonstrated that specific proteins encoded by EBV could contribute to the immune and neurological abnormalities exhibited by a subgroup of patients with ME/CFS. Elucidating the role of these herpesvirus proteins in ME/CFS may lead to the identification of specific biomarkers and the development of novel therapeutics.
Collapse
|
47
|
Stanculescu D, Larsson L, Bergquist J. Hypothesis: Mechanisms That Prevent Recovery in Prolonged ICU Patients Also Underlie Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:628029. [PMID: 33585528 PMCID: PMC7876311 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.628029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Here the hypothesis is advanced that maladaptive mechanisms that prevent recovery in some intensive care unit (ICU) patients may also underlie Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Specifically, these mechanisms are: (a) suppression of the pituitary gland's pulsatile secretion of tropic hormones, and (b) a "vicious circle" between inflammation, oxidative and nitrosative stress (O&NS), and low thyroid hormone function. This hypothesis should be investigated through collaborative research projects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lars Larsson
- Basic and Clinical Muscle Biology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
| | - Jonas Bergquist
- Analytical Chemistry and Neurochemistry, Department of Chemistry – Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- The Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Collaborative Research Centre at Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Ghali A, Richa P, Lacout C, Gury A, Beucher AB, Homedan C, Lavigne C, Urbanski G. Epidemiological and clinical factors associated with post-exertional malaise severity in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Lab Invest 2020; 18:246. [PMID: 32571354 PMCID: PMC7309998 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02419-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Background Post-exertional malaise (PEM), the cardinal feature of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), occurs generally after exposure to a stressor. It is characterized by the worsening of ME/CFS symptoms and results in aggravating the course of the disease and the quality of life of patients. Due to its unpredictable onset, severity, and recovery time, identifying patients with higher risk for severe PEM would allow preventing or reducing its occurrence. We thus aimed at defining possible factors that could be associated with PEM severity. Methods Adult patients fulfilling ME international consensus criteria who attended the internal medicine department of University hospital Angers-France between October 2011 and December 2019 were included retrospectively. All patients were systematically hospitalized for an etiological workup and overall assessment. We reviewed their medical records for data related to the assessment: epidemiological data, fatigue features, clinical manifestations, and ME/CFS precipitants. PEM severity was appreciated by the Center for Disease Control self-reported questionnaire. The study population was classified into quartiles according to PEM severity scores. Analyses were performed with ordinal logistic regression to compare quartile groups. Results 197 patients were included. PEM severity was found to be positively associated with age at disease onset ≥ 32 years (OR 1.8 [95% CI 1.1–3.0] (p = 0.03)), recurrent infections during the course of the disease (OR 2.1 [95% CI 1.2–3.7] (p = 0.009)), and when ME/CFS was elicited by a gastrointestinal infectious precipitant (OR 5.7 [1.7–19.3] (p = 0.006)). Conclusion We identified some epidemiological and clinical features, which were positively associated with PEM severity in subsets of ME/CFS patients. This could help improving disease management and patients’ quality of life.
Collapse
|
49
|
Shikova E, Reshkova V, Kumanova А, Raleva S, Alexandrova D, Capo N, Murovska M, on behalf of the European Network on ME/CFS (EUROMENE). Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and human herpesvirus-6 infections in patients with myalgic еncephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. J Med Virol 2020; 92:3682-3688. [PMID: 32129496 PMCID: PMC7687071 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a disabling multisystem chronic disease. The etiology and pathogenesis of ME/CFS are unknown. Infections of cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) are suspected as etiological agents for ME/CFS. This study aims to estimate prevalence and type (active/latent) of EBV, CMV, and HHV-6 infections in Bulgarian ME/CFS patients. In the study were included 58 patients with ME/CFS and 50 healthy controls. Virus-specific antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and viral genomic sequences in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMCs) and plasma samples by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We did not observe any significant differences in virus-specific immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M positivity rates between patients with ME/CFS and control group. In ME/CFS plasma samples, EBV DNA was found in 24.1%, CMV DNA in 3.4%, and HHV-6 DNA in 1.7% of samples. EBV DNA was detected in 4%, and CMV and HHV-6 DNA were not found in plasma samples of controls. The frequency of viral genome detection in PBMCs of patients and controls was 74% vs 78% for CMV, 81% vs 84% for EBV, and 82.8% vs 82% for HHV-6. The difference in frequency of EBV active infection in ME/CFS and control group was statistically significant (P = .0027). No ME/CFS and control individuals with active CMV and HHV-6 infection were observed. In conclusion, this study using both serological and PCR-based techniques for distinguishing between active and latent infection showed high rate of active EBV infection among patients with ME/CFS indicating that at least in a subset of cases, EBV is important factor for the development of disease.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Humans
- Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic/virology
- Female
- Male
- Adult
- Herpesvirus 6, Human/genetics
- Herpesvirus 6, Human/isolation & purification
- Middle Aged
- Antibodies, Viral/blood
- Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/virology
- Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/epidemiology
- Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/complications
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/genetics
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/immunology
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/isolation & purification
- Cytomegalovirus Infections/virology
- Cytomegalovirus Infections/complications
- Cytomegalovirus Infections/epidemiology
- DNA, Viral/blood
- DNA, Viral/genetics
- Cytomegalovirus/genetics
- Cytomegalovirus/immunology
- Cytomegalovirus/isolation & purification
- Young Adult
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/virology
- Roseolovirus Infections/virology
- Roseolovirus Infections/epidemiology
- Roseolovirus Infections/complications
- Prevalence
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Immunoglobulin G/blood
- Immunoglobulin M/blood
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Adolescent
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evelina Shikova
- Department of VirologyNational Center of Infectious and Parasitic DiseasesSofiaBulgaria
- The National Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment in Haematological DiseasesSofiaBulgaria
| | | | - Аntoniya Kumanova
- Department of VirologyNational Center of Infectious and Parasitic DiseasesSofiaBulgaria
| | - Sevdalina Raleva
- Department of VirologyNational Center of Infectious and Parasitic DiseasesSofiaBulgaria
| | - Dora Alexandrova
- The National Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment in Haematological DiseasesSofiaBulgaria
| | - Natasa Capo
- Oncology Institute of VojvodinaSremska KamenicaSerbia
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Novi SadNovi SadSerbia
| | - Modra Murovska
- Institute of Microbiology and VirologyRiga Stradins UniversityRigaLatvia
| | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a highly debilitating disease with heterogeneous constitutional and neurological complaints. Infection-like symptoms often herald disease onset, but no pathogen or immune defect has been conclusively linked. In this issue of the JCI, Mandarano et al. illuminate bioenergetic derangements of ME/CFS T cell subsets. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells had impaired resting glycolysis. CD8+ cells additionally showed activation-related metabolic remodeling deficits and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential; a subset had increased resting mitochondrial mass. Immune senescence and exhaustion paradigms offer only partial explanations. Hence, unique mechanisms of disrupted immunometabolism may underlie the complex neuroimmune dysfunction of ME/CFS.
Collapse
|