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https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.01.02.24319359v1
Abnormal T-Cell Activation And Cytotoxic T-Cell Frequency Discriminates Symptom Severity In Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Ji-Sook Lee1,3, Eliana Lacerda2, Caroline Kingdon 2, Giada Susannini1, Hazel M Dockrell1, Luis Nacul2*, Jacqueline M Cliff3*
*These authors contributed equally to this work.
1Department of Infection Biology and 2Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Topical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT. 3Centre for Inflammation Research and Translational Medicine, and Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH. Corresponding Author: Dr Jacqueline Cliff, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, United Kingdom, +44 (0) 1895 268803
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating but poorly-understood disease. ME/CFS symptoms can range from mild to severe, and include immune system effects alongside incapacitating fatigue and post-exertional disease exacerbation.
In this study, we examined immunological profiles of people living with ME/CFS by flow cytometry, focusing on cytotoxic cells, to determine whether people with mild/moderate (n= 43) or severe ME/CFS (n=53) expressed different immunological markers.
We found that people with mild/moderate ME/CFS had increased expression of cytotoxic effector molecules alongside enhanced proportions of early-immunosenescence cells, determined by the CD28-CD57- phenotype.
In contrast, people with severe ME/CFS had higher proportions of activated circulating lymphocytes, determined by CD69+ and CD38+ expression, and expressed more pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IFNγ, TNF and IL-17, following stimulation in vitro.
These changes were consistent across different cell types including CD8+ T cells, mucosal associated invariant T cells and Natural Killer cells, indicating generalised altered cytotoxic responses across the innate and adaptive immune system .
These immunological differences likely reflect different disease pathogenesis mechanisms occurring in the two clinical groups, and opening up opportunities for the development of prognostic markers and stratified treatments.
Abnormal T-Cell Activation And Cytotoxic T-Cell Frequency Discriminates Symptom Severity In Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Ji-Sook Lee1,3, Eliana Lacerda2, Caroline Kingdon 2, Giada Susannini1, Hazel M Dockrell1, Luis Nacul2*, Jacqueline M Cliff3*
*These authors contributed equally to this work.
1Department of Infection Biology and 2Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Topical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT. 3Centre for Inflammation Research and Translational Medicine, and Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH. Corresponding Author: Dr Jacqueline Cliff, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, United Kingdom, +44 (0) 1895 268803
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating but poorly-understood disease. ME/CFS symptoms can range from mild to severe, and include immune system effects alongside incapacitating fatigue and post-exertional disease exacerbation.
In this study, we examined immunological profiles of people living with ME/CFS by flow cytometry, focusing on cytotoxic cells, to determine whether people with mild/moderate (n= 43) or severe ME/CFS (n=53) expressed different immunological markers.
We found that people with mild/moderate ME/CFS had increased expression of cytotoxic effector molecules alongside enhanced proportions of early-immunosenescence cells, determined by the CD28-CD57- phenotype.
In contrast, people with severe ME/CFS had higher proportions of activated circulating lymphocytes, determined by CD69+ and CD38+ expression, and expressed more pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IFNγ, TNF and IL-17, following stimulation in vitro.
These changes were consistent across different cell types including CD8+ T cells, mucosal associated invariant T cells and Natural Killer cells, indicating generalised altered cytotoxic responses across the innate and adaptive immune system .
These immunological differences likely reflect different disease pathogenesis mechanisms occurring in the two clinical groups, and opening up opportunities for the development of prognostic markers and stratified treatments.
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