Unravelling intracellular immune dysfunctions in chronic fatigue syndrome: interactions between protein kinase R activity, RNase L cleavage and elastase activity, and their clinical relevance.
This study examined possible interactions between immunological abnormalities and symptoms in CFS. Sixteen CFS patients filled in a battery of questionnaires, evaluating daily functioning, and underwent venous blood sampling, in order to analyse immunological abnormalities. Ribonuclease (RNase) L cleavage was associated with RNase L activity (rs=0.570; p=0.021), protein kinase R (PKR) (rs=0.716; p=0.002) and elastase activity (rs=0.500; p=0.049). RNase L activity was related to elastase (rs=0.547; p=0.028) and PKR activity (rs=0.625; p=0.010). RNase L activity (rs=0.535; p=0.033), elastase activity (rs=0.585; p=0.017) and RNase L cleavage (rs=0.521; p=0.038) correlated with daily functioning. This study suggests that in CFS patients an increase in elastase activity and subsequent RNase L cleavage is accompanied by increased activity of both the PKR and RNase L enzymes. RNase L and elastase activity are related to daily functioning, thus evidence supporting the clinical importance of these immune dysfunctions in CFS patients was provided.
Meeus
Mira
M
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium.
Nijs
Jo
J
McGregor
Neil
N
Meeusen
Romain
R
De Schutter
Guy
G
Truijen
Steven
S
Frémont
Marc
M
Van Hoof
Elke
E
De Meirleir
Kenny
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004722:Endoribonucleases / Q000378:metabolism*; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000378:metabolism*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019892:eIF-2 Kinase / Q000378:metabolism*
D019892:eIF-2 Kinase; D004722:Endoribonucleases; C031956:2-5A-dependent ribonuclease; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase