The Role and Potential Mechanism of Complement Factor D in Fibromyalgia Development
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2025
Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research
Published on: January 5, 2024
Xinhuan Lei1, Xiaoting Song1, Yongyong Fan1
1Department of Orthopedics, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Taizhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Purpose:
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome characterized by chronic musculoskeletal pain. Its clinical symptoms include both somatic and psychiatric symptoms, making the treatment of FM extremely challenging. The cause of FM is still unknown, and some patients do not improve their symptoms even after long-term active treatment. Thus, the development of new targeted therapies is important to reduce pain and improve quality of life for FM patients.
Methods:
In this study, we screened genes and secreted factors that play key roles in FM through bioinformatics and big data analysis. Furthermore, we performed CCK-8, qRT-PCR, glucose, ATP and lactate content testing, dual luciferase reporter gene assay to investigate the potential mechanism of complement factor D in fibromyalgia development.
Results:
In bioinformatics and big data analysis, we identified CFD was negatively correlated with the pro-inflammatory factor IL-6 and positively correlated with the anti-inflammatory factor IL-4, which suggested that CFD may be an anti-inflammatory factor. Through cellular assays, we verified that CFD reversed the decrease in IL-4 expression and the increase in IL-6 expression in BV2 cells caused by ATP.
Conclusion:
In summary, based on bioinformatic methods and big data mining we obtained a new target CFD for FM, and further experiments verified that CFD has significant inhibition of ATP-induced neuropathic pain. These findings provide a new theoretical basis for the clinical translation of CFD.
Insights
Complement factor D (CFD) shows potential as a novel therapeutic target for fibromyalgia. This study found CFD can inhibit neuropathic pain, offering hope for improved quality of life in fibromyalgia patients.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Genetics
- Immunology
Background:
- Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex syndrome of chronic musculoskeletal pain with somatic and psychiatric symptoms.
- Current FM treatments are challenging, with many patients not responding to long-term therapies.
- New targeted therapies are crucial for pain reduction and improved quality of life in FM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel therapeutic targets for fibromyalgia using bioinformatics and big data analysis.
- To investigate the role and mechanism of complement factor D (CFD) in fibromyalgia development.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatics and big data analysis to screen key genes and secreted factors in FM.
- Cellular assays including CCK-8, qRT-PCR, glucose, ATP, and lactate content testing.
- Dual luciferase reporter gene assay to elucidate the mechanism of CFD in FM.
Main Results:
- Bioinformatic analysis identified CFD as negatively correlated with IL-6 and positively correlated with IL-4, suggesting an anti-inflammatory role.
- Cellular assays confirmed CFD reversed ATP-induced decreases in IL-4 and increases in IL-6 in BV2 cells.
- CFD demonstrated significant inhibition of ATP-induced neuropathic pain in experimental models.
Conclusions:
- Complement factor D (CFD) is identified as a novel therapeutic target for fibromyalgia.
- CFD exhibits anti-inflammatory properties and can inhibit neuropathic pain associated with FM.
- These findings provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of CFD in treating fibromyalgia.
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