Environmental immunogens and T-cell-mediated responses in fibromyalgia: evidence for immune dysregulation and determinants of granuloma formation.
Thirty-nine patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) according to American College of Rheumatology criteria were studied for cell-mediated sensitivity to environmental chemicals. Lymphocytes were tested by standard [(3)H]thymidine incorporation in vitro for T cell memory to 11 chemical substances. Concanavalin A (Con A) was used to demonstrate T cell proliferation. Controls were 25 contemporaneous healthy adults and 252 other concurrent standard controls without any aspect of FMS. Significantly higher (P < 0.01) stimulation indexes (SI) were found in FMS for aluminum, lead, and platinum; borderline higher (0.05 > P > 0.02) SI were found for cadmium and silicon. FMS patients showed sporadic responses to the specific substances tested, with no high-frequency result (>50%) and no obvious pattern. Mitogenic responses to Con A indicated some suppression of T cell functionality in FMS. Possible links between mitogenicity and immunogenic T cell proliferation, certain electrochemical specifics of granuloma formation, maintenance of connective tissue, and the fundamental nature of FMS are considered.
Shanklin
D R
DR
Department of Pathology, University of Tennessee, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, USA.
Stevens
M V
MV
Hall
M F
MF
Smalley
D L
DL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000941:Antigens; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D006099:Granuloma / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012833:Siloxanes / Q000009:adverse effects; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000941:Antigens; D008670:Metals; D012833:Siloxanes; D003208:Concanavalin A