title: Up-regulation of TGF-β1 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It has been shown that the abnormality in immune cells in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients is closely associated with the participation of TGF-β. In order to study the relationship between TGF-β1 and CFS, we investigated the mRNA levels of TGF-β1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with CFS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fluorescent quantitative real time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (FQ-RT-PCR) was performed to test TGF-β1 mRNA expression in PBMCs in 63 cases of CFS, 50 cases of disease controls, and 50 cases of healthy controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean value of TGF-β1 mRNA expression in CFS patients was ΔΔCt=1.17±0.58, which was significantly higher than the disease controls (ΔΔCt=0.07±1.08, df=111, p < 0.01) and the healthy controls (ΔΔCt=0.00±1.63, df=111, p < 0.01). No significant difference was detected between disease and healthy controls (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The expression of TGF-β1 in PBMCs is significantly elevated in patients with CFS. It might be correlated to the pathogenesis of the disease.
authors: Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Beijing, China.
authors: Hai-Ying
authors: HY
authors: Zhang
authors: Zhan-Dong
authors: ZD
authors: Liu
authors: Chao-Jun
authors: CJ
authors: Hu
authors: De-Xin
authors: DX
authors: Wang
authors: Yong-Bo
authors: YB
authors: Zhang
authors: Yong-Zhe
authors: YZ
authors: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1