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Flow Cytometric Analysis of Lymphocyte Infiltration in Central Nervous System during Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Published on: November 17, 2020
Immunologic parameters in chronic fatigue syndrome, major depression, and multiple sclerosis
B H Natelson1, J J LaManca, T N Denny
1Department of Neurosciences, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Cooperative Research Center, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey--New Jersey Medical School, Newark 07018, USA.
The American Journal of Medicine
|October 28, 1998
Summary
This study found no evidence of immune dysfunction or activation in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or major depression. Multiple sclerosis (MS) showed immune activation, suggesting distinct pathophysiological mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research
- Neuroimmunology
Background:
- The immune dysfunction hypothesis for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) remains debated.
- Comparing CFS patients with other fatiguing illnesses like major depression and multiple sclerosis (MS) is crucial for understanding its pathophysiology.
- Previous research has yielded conflicting results regarding immune system involvement in CFS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To rigorously evaluate the immune dysfunction hypothesis in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
- To compare immunologic profiles of CFS patients against those with major depression, mild multiple sclerosis (MS), and healthy controls.
- To investigate potential immune activation markers in these distinct patient groups.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from 71 CFS patients, 23 MS patients, 21 major depression patients, and 65 healthy controls.
- Assays included immunologic serologic variables (immunoglobulins, immune complexes), cell surface activation markers (CD4+, CD8+), and natural killer (NK) cell counts.
- Statistical comparisons were made between groups for 18 different immunologic variables.
Main Results:
- Only IgG1 and IgG3 levels differed between CFS patients and controls, with lower levels in CFS.
- These IgG subclass differences were not significant when compared with MS and major depression groups, and were lowest in CFS patients with co-occurring axis-I disorders.
- Mild MS patients exhibited immune activation, indicated by elevated CD4+ cells expressing the CD45RA+ marker, unlike CFS or major depression groups.
Conclusions:
- The study found no support for immune dysfunction or activation in CFS or major depression based on the measured variables.
- Observed reductions in IgG subclasses in CFS patients may be an artifact of subject composition.
- Multiple sclerosis, even in early stages, is associated with detectable immune activation, distinguishing it from CFS.
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