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Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis
Published on: September 7, 2022
Gene expression correlates of postinfective fatigue syndrome after infectious mononucleosis
Barbara Cameron1, Sally Galbraith, Yun Zhang
1School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Background:
Infectious mononucleosis (IM) commonly triggers a protracted postinfective fatigue syndrome (PIFS) of unknown pathogenesis.
Methods:
Seven subjects with PIFS with 6 or more months of disabling symptoms and 8 matched control subjects who had recovered promptly from documented IM were studied. The expression of 30,000 genes was examined in the peripheral blood by microarray analysis in 65 longitudinally collected samples. Gene expression patterns associated with PIFS were sought by correlation with symptom factor scores.
Results:
Differential expression of 733 genes was identified when samples collected early during the illness and at the late (recovered) time point were compared. Of these genes, 234 were found to be significantly correlated with the reported severity of the fatigue symptom factor, and 180 were found to be correlated with the musculoskeletal pain symptom factor. Validation by analysis of the longitudinal expression pattern revealed 35 genes for which changes in expression were consistent with the illness course. These genes included several that are involved in signal transduction pathways, metal ion binding, and ion channel activity.
Conclusions:
Gene expression correlates of the cardinal symptoms of PIFS after IM have been identified. Further studies of these gene products may help to elucidate the pathogenesis of PIFS.
Insights
Gene expression changes correlate with symptoms of post-infective fatigue syndrome (PIFS) following infectious mononucleosis (IM). These findings offer insights into PIFS pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Infectious mononucleosis (IM) frequently leads to persistent post-infective fatigue syndrome (PIFS).
- The underlying mechanisms of PIFS remain largely unknown.
- This study investigates gene expression patterns in individuals with PIFS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify gene expression differences between PIFS patients and healthy controls.
- To correlate gene expression with the severity of PIFS symptoms like fatigue and pain.
- To understand the molecular basis of PIFS.
Main Methods:
- Microarray analysis of 30,000 genes in peripheral blood samples.
- Longitudinal study design with 65 samples from 7 PIFS patients and 8 controls.
- Correlation of gene expression with symptom severity scores.
Main Results:
- Differential expression of 733 genes identified between early illness and recovery phases.
- 234 genes correlated with fatigue severity and 180 with musculoskeletal pain.
- 35 genes showed expression changes consistent with the illness course, including those in signal transduction and ion transport pathways.
Conclusions:
- Specific gene expression patterns are associated with the primary symptoms of PIFS.
- These identified gene products warrant further investigation for PIFS pathogenesis.
- This research provides a foundation for future therapeutic strategies targeting PIFS.
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