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Guo L, Zaharie SD, Marceline van Furth A, van der Wel NN, Grootemaat AE, Zhang L, Bugiani M, Kruger M, van der Kuip M, Lutter R. Marked IDO2 expression and activity related to autophagy and apoptosis in brain tissue of fatal tuberculous meningitis. Tuberculosis (Edinb) 2024; 146:102495. [PMID: 38460493 DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2024.102495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
In about 1% of tuberculosis (TB) patients, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) can disseminate to the meninges, causing tuberculous meningitis (TBM) with mortality rate up to 60%. Chronic granulomatous inflammation (non-necrotizing and necrotizing) in the brain is the histological hallmark of TBM. The tryptophan-catabolizing enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and the generated kynurenine metabolites exert major effector functions relevant to TB granuloma functioning. Here we have assessed immunohistochemically IDO1 expression and activity and its effector function and that of its isoform, IDO2, in post-mortem brain tissue of patients that demised with neurotuberculosis. We also related these findings to brain tissue of fatal/severe COVID-19. In this study, IDO1 and IDO2 were abundantly expressed and active in tuberculoid granulomas and were associated with the presence of M. tuberculosis as well as markers of autophagy and apoptosis. Like in fatal/severe COVID-19, IDO2 was also prominent in specific brain regions, such as the inferior olivary nucleus of medulla oblongata and cerebellum, but not associated with granulomas or with M. tuberculosis. Spatially associated apoptosis was observed in TBM, whereas in fatal COVID-19 autophagy dominated. Together, our findings highlight IDO2 as a potentially relevant effector enzyme in TBM, which may relate to the symptomology of TBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihui Guo
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105, AZ, the Netherlands.
| | - Stefan-Dan Zaharie
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa and National Health Laboratory Services, Francie Van Zijl Dr, Parow, Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, 7505, South Africa
| | - A Marceline van Furth
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nicole N van der Wel
- Electron Microscopy Center Amsterdam, Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anita E Grootemaat
- Electron Microscopy Center Amsterdam, Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lin Zhang
- Neuropsychiatric Disorders Lab, Neuroimmunology Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marianna Bugiani
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081, HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mariana Kruger
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Francie van Zijl Dr, Parow, Bellville, Cape Town, 7505, South Africa
| | - Martijn van der Kuip
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - René Lutter
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105, AZ, the Netherlands; Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105, AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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2
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Xu L, Lin L, Xie N, Chen W, Nong W, Li R. Role of aryl hydrocarbon receptors in infection and inflammation. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1367734. [PMID: 38680494 PMCID: PMC11045974 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1367734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor that is activated by various ligands, including pollutants, microorganisms, and metabolic substances. It is expressed extensively in pulmonary and intestinal epithelial cells, where it contributes to barrier defense. The expression of AhR is pivotal in regulating the inflammatory response to microorganisms. However, dysregulated AhR expression can result in endocrine disorders, leading to immunotoxicity and potentially promoting the development of carcinoma. This review focuses on the crucial role of the AhR in facilitating and limiting the proliferation of pathogens, specifically in relation to the host cell type and the species of etiological agents involved in microbial pathogen infections. The activation of AhR is enhanced through the IDO1-AhR-IDO1 positive feedback loop, which is manipulated by viruses. AhR primarily promotes the infection of SARS-CoV-2 by inducing the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. AhR also plays a significant role in regulating various types of T-cells, including CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells, in the context of pulmonary infections. The AhR pathway plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses within the respiratory and intestinal barriers when they are invaded by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. Additionally, we propose that targeting the agonist and antagonist of AhR signaling pathways could serve as a promising therapeutic approach for combating pathogen infections, especially in light of the growing prevalence of drug resistance to multiple antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linglan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Research on Clinical Molecular Diagnosis for High Incidence Diseases in Western Guangxi, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, Guangxi, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Luping Lin
- Key Laboratory of Research on Clinical Molecular Diagnosis for High Incidence Diseases in Western Guangxi, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, Guangxi, China
| | - Nan Xie
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Weiwei Chen
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Weihua Nong
- Key Laboratory of Research on Clinical Molecular Diagnosis for High Incidence Diseases in Western Guangxi, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, Guangxi, China
| | - Ranhui Li
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Hunan Prevention and Treatment Institute for Occupational Diseases and Affiliated Prevention and Treatment Institute for Occupational Diseases, University of South China, Changsha, China
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3
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Parzen-Johnson S, Katz BZ. Navigating the Spectrum of Two Pediatric COVID-19 Complications: Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children and Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1147. [PMID: 38398460 PMCID: PMC10889837 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13041147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This review summarizes the current scope of understanding associated with two common post-infectious complications associated with COVID-19 infection: Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) and Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). It identifies current gaps in the knowledge and issues that may limit the ability to fill these gaps. This review provides a framework to drive continued research. METHODS A comprehensive review of the current literature was performed, identifying seminal articles describing the emergence of MIS-C and PASC, and works from the literature focused on the clinical implications and pathophysiologic understanding of these disorders. FINDINGS Although pediatric patients experienced few severe cases of acute COVID-19 infection, the burden of disease from post-infectious sequelae is substantial. Mortality is low, but morbidity is significant. There are still numerous unknowns about the pathophysiology of both MIS-C and PASC; however, with widespread immunity developing after increased vaccination and prior infection, it may be difficult to perform adequate prospective studies to answer pathophysiologic questions. Long-term sequalae of MIS-C seem to be minimal whereas, by definition, PASC is an ongoing problem and may be severe. IMPLICATIONS The rapid sharing of information regarding novel conditions such as MIS-C and PASC are key to interventions related to future post-infectious sequelae outside of those stemming from COVID-19. Although MIS-C seems unlikely to return as a clinical condition in substantial numbers, there is still significant learning that can be gleaned from existing patients about general aspects of epidemiology, equity, and pathophysiology. There is significant morbidity associated with PASC and additional resources need to be dedicated to determining appropriate and effective therapies moving forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Parzen-Johnson
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Biological Sciences Division, University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC 6082, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Ben Z Katz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 225 E Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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4
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Nagy-Grócz G, Spekker E, Vécsei L. Kynurenines, Neuronal Excitotoxicity, and Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress: Role of the Intestinal Flora. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1698. [PMID: 38338981 PMCID: PMC10855176 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The intestinal flora has been the focus of numerous investigations recently, with inquiries not just into the gastrointestinal aspects but also the pathomechanism of other diseases such as nervous system disorders and mitochondrial diseases. Mitochondrial disorders are the most common type of inheritable metabolic illness caused by mutations of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. Despite the intensive research, its diagnosis is usually difficult, and unfortunately, treating it challenges physicians. Metabolites of the kynurenine pathway are linked to many disorders, such as depression, schizophrenia, migraine, and also diseases associated with impaired mitochondrial function. The kynurenine pathway includes many substances, for instance kynurenic acid and quinolinic acid. In this review, we would like to show a possible link between the metabolites of the kynurenine pathway and mitochondrial stress in the context of intestinal flora. Furthermore, we summarize the possible markers of and future therapeutic options for the kynurenine pathway in excitotoxicity and mitochondrial oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Nagy-Grócz
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Center, University of Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary;
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Studies, University of Szeged, Temesvári krt. 31., H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
- Preventive Health Sciences Research Group, Incubation Competence Centre of the Centre of Excellence for Interdisciplinary Research, Development and Innovation of the University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | | | - László Vécsei
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Center, University of Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary;
- HUN-REN-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, University of Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
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5
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van der Schaaf ME, Geerligs L, Toni I, Knoop H, Oosterman JM. Disentangling pain and fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome: a resting state connectivity study before and after cognitive behavioral therapy. Psychol Med 2024:1-14. [PMID: 38193344 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723003690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fatigue is a central feature of myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), but many ME/CFS patients also report comorbid pain symptoms. It remains unclear whether these symptoms are related to similar or dissociable brain networks. This study used resting-state fMRI to disentangle networks associated with fatigue and pain symptoms in ME/CFS patients, and to link changes in those networks to clinical improvements following cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). METHODS Relationships between pain and fatigue symptoms and cortico-cortical connectivity were assessed within ME/CFS patients at baseline (N = 72) and after CBT (N = 33) and waiting list (WL, N = 18) and compared to healthy controls (HC, N = 29). The analyses focused on four networks previously associated with pain and/or fatigue, i.e. the fronto-parietal network (FPN), premotor network (PMN), somatomotor network (SMN), and default mode network (DMN). RESULTS At baseline, variation in pain and fatigue symptoms related to partially dissociable brain networks. Fatigue was associated with higher SMN-PMN connectivity and lower SMN-DMN connectivity. Pain was associated with lower PMN-DMN connectivity. CBT improved SMN-DMN connectivity, compared to WL. Larger clinical improvements were associated with larger increases in frontal SMN-DMN connectivity. No CBT effects were observed for PMN-DMN or SMN-PMN connectivity. CONCLUSIONS These results provide insight into the dissociable neural mechanisms underlying fatigue and pain symptoms in ME/CFS and how they are affected by CBT in successfully treated patients. Further investigation of how and in whom behavioral and biomedical treatments affect these networks is warranted to improve and individualize existing or new treatments for ME/CFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke E van der Schaaf
- Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Radboud University, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of cognitive neuropsychology Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Linda Geerligs
- Radboud University, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ivan Toni
- Radboud University, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Hans Knoop
- Department of Medical Psychology and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joukje M Oosterman
- Radboud University, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Appelman B, Charlton BT, Goulding RP, Kerkhoff TJ, Breedveld EA, Noort W, Offringa C, Bloemers FW, van Weeghel M, Schomakers BV, Coelho P, Posthuma JJ, Aronica E, Joost Wiersinga W, van Vugt M, Wüst RCI. Muscle abnormalities worsen after post-exertional malaise in long COVID. Nat Commun 2024; 15:17. [PMID: 38177128 PMCID: PMC10766651 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44432-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
A subgroup of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 remain symptomatic over three months after infection. A distinctive symptom of patients with long COVID is post-exertional malaise, which is associated with a worsening of fatigue- and pain-related symptoms after acute mental or physical exercise, but its underlying pathophysiology is unclear. With this longitudinal case-control study (NCT05225688), we provide new insights into the pathophysiology of post-exertional malaise in patients with long COVID. We show that skeletal muscle structure is associated with a lower exercise capacity in patients, and local and systemic metabolic disturbances, severe exercise-induced myopathy and tissue infiltration of amyloid-containing deposits in skeletal muscles of patients with long COVID worsen after induction of post-exertional malaise. This study highlights novel pathways that help to understand the pathophysiology of post-exertional malaise in patients suffering from long COVID and other post-infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent Appelman
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious diseases, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Braeden T Charlton
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Richie P Goulding
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tom J Kerkhoff
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Physiology, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ellen A Breedveld
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wendy Noort
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Carla Offringa
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Frank W Bloemers
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michel van Weeghel
- Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Core Facility Metabolomics, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bauke V Schomakers
- Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Core Facility Metabolomics, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Pedro Coelho
- Serviço de Neurologia, Departamento de Neurociências e Saúde Mental, Hospital de Santa Maria, CHULN, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Centro de Estudos Egas Moniz, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of (Neuro)pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jelle J Posthuma
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Flevoziekenhuis, Division of Surgery, Hospitaalweg 1, Almere, the Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - W Joost Wiersinga
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious diseases, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michèle van Vugt
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious diseases, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Rob C I Wüst
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Rus CP, de Vries BEK, de Vries IEJ, Nutma I, Kooij JJS. Treatment of 95 post-Covid patients with SSRIs. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18599. [PMID: 37919310 PMCID: PMC10622561 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45072-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
After Covid-19 infection, 12.5% develops post-Covid-syndrome (PCS). Symptoms indicate numerous affected organ systems. After a year, chronic fatigue, dysautonomia and neurological and neuropsychiatric complaints predominate. In this study, 95 PCS patients were treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This study used an exploratory questionnaire and found that two-thirds of patients had a reasonably good to strong response on SSRIs, over a quarter of patients had moderate response, while 10% reported no response. Overall, patients experienced substantial improved well-being. Brainfog and sensory overload decreased most, followed by chronic fatigue and dysautonomia. Outcomes were measured with three different measures that correlated strongly with each other. The response to SSRIs in PCS conditions was explained by seven possible neurobiological mechanisms based on recent literature on PCS integrated with already existing knowledge. Important for understanding these mechanisms is the underlying biochemical interaction between various neurotransmitter systems and parts of the immune system, and their dysregulation in PCS. The main link appears to be with the metabolic kynurenine pathway (KP) which interacts extensively with the immune system. The KP uses the same precursor as serotonin: tryptophan. The KP is overactive in PCS which maintains inflammation and which causes a lack of tryptophan. Finally, potential avenues for future research to advance this line of clinical research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla P Rus
- Independent Researcher, The Hague, The Netherlands.
| | | | - Ingmar E J de Vries
- Donders Institute, Radboud University, 6525 EN, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Centre for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), University of Trento, 38068, Rovereto, Italy
| | | | - J J Sandra Kooij
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC/VUMC, 1081 HJ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- PsyQ, 2593 HR, The Hague, The Netherlands
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Stein E, Heindrich C, Wittke K, Kedor C, Kim L, Freitag H, Krüger A, Tölle M, Scheibenbogen C. Observational Study of Repeat Immunoadsorption (RIA) in Post-COVID ME/CFS Patients with Elevated ß2-Adrenergic Receptor Autoantibodies-An Interim Report. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6428. [PMID: 37835071 PMCID: PMC10573450 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12196428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence for an autoimmune aetiology in post-infectious Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). SARS-CoV-2 has now become the main trigger for ME/CFS. We have already conducted two small proof-of-concept studies on IgG depletion by immunoadsorption (IA) in post-infectious ME/CFS, which showed efficacy in most patients. This observational study aims to evaluate the efficacy of IA in patients with post-COVID-19 ME/CFS. The primary objective was to assess the improvement in functional ability. Due to the urgency of finding therapies for post-COVID-Syndrome (PCS), we report here the interim results of the first ten patients, with seven responders defined by an increase of between 10 and 35 points in the Short-Form 36 Physical Function (SF36-PF) at week four after IA. The results of this observational study will provide the basis for patient selection for a randomised controlled trial (RCT), including sham apheresis, and for an RCT combining IA with B-cell depletion therapy. Trial registration number: NCT05629988.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Stein
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany (K.W.); (C.K.); (L.K.); (H.F.); (C.S.)
| | - Cornelia Heindrich
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany (K.W.); (C.K.); (L.K.); (H.F.); (C.S.)
| | - Kirsten Wittke
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany (K.W.); (C.K.); (L.K.); (H.F.); (C.S.)
| | - Claudia Kedor
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany (K.W.); (C.K.); (L.K.); (H.F.); (C.S.)
| | - Laura Kim
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany (K.W.); (C.K.); (L.K.); (H.F.); (C.S.)
| | - Helma Freitag
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany (K.W.); (C.K.); (L.K.); (H.F.); (C.S.)
| | - Anne Krüger
- Department of Nephrology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (A.K.); (M.T.)
| | - Markus Tölle
- Department of Nephrology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (A.K.); (M.T.)
| | - Carmen Scheibenbogen
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany (K.W.); (C.K.); (L.K.); (H.F.); (C.S.)
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