Immunologically mediated fatigue: a murine model.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an idiopathic disorder in which the chief symptoms is profound fatigue. To explore the relationship between immune stimulation and fatigue, we developed a murine model for quantifying fatigue: reduction in voluntary running and delayed initiation of grooming after swimming. Inoculation of female BALB/c mice with Corynebacterium parvum antigen or the relatively avirulent Me49 strain of Toxoplasma gondii induced fatigue: baseline running reduced to less than 50 and 30% for 8 and 14 days, respectively, and delayed initiation of grooming after swimming in both immunologically stimulated groups. A threefold evaluation of serum transforming growth factor-beta levels, a cytokine increased in CFS patients, was found in fatigued C. parvum- and T. gondii-inoculated mice. This murine model appears promising for investigation of the pathogenesis of immunologically mediated fatigue.
Chao
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CC
Neuroimmunobiology and Host Defense Laboratory, Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation, Minnesota 55404.
DeLaHunt
M
M
Hu
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Close
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K
Peterson
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PK
D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011425:Propionibacterium acnes / Q000276:immunology; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood; D015854:Up-Regulation
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta