Deep Immunophenotyping in ME/CFS Using Spectral Flow Cytometry

Immune dysfunction is reported to play a significant role in the etiology of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). To gain an understanding of the underlying immune abnormalities associated with this complex condition, a comprehensive approach for characterizing immune cell subsets and their inferred functional states is essential. We developed a high-dimensional flow cytometry method that enables detailed immunophenotyping of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from ME/CFS patients. By simultaneously measuring over 40 markers on individual cells within one sample, this approach provides a comprehensive assessment of immune cell subsets, incorporating effector or functional states, to enable assessment of their potential roles in disease pathogenesis.