title: Unravelling intracellular immune dysfunctions in chronic fatigue syndrome: interactions between protein kinase R activity, RNase L cleavage and elastase activity, and their clinical relevance.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium.
authors.forename: Mira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meeus
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nijs
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.forename: Romain
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meeusen
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Schutter
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Truijen
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frémont
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Hoof
authors.forename: Kenny
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: De Meirleir
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D019892:eIF-2 Kinase; D004722:Endoribonucleases; C031956:2-5A-dependent ribonuclease; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase