Review Unravelling the Connection Between Energy Metabolism and Immune Senescence/Exhaustion in Patients with [ME/CFS], 2025, Campenhout et al

[forestglip]

Unravelling the Connection Between Energy Metabolism and Immune Senescence/Exhaustion in Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Jente Van Campenhout, Yanthe Buntinx, Huan-Yu Xiong, Arne Wyns, Andrea Polli, Jo Nijs, Joeri L. Aerts, Thessa Laeremans, Jolien Hendrix

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Abstract
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating disease, characterized by a diverse array of symptoms including post-exertional malaise (PEM), severe fatigue, and cognitive impairments, all of which drastically diminish the patients’ quality of life. Despite its impact, no curative treatments exist, largely due to the limited understanding of the disease’s underlying pathophysiology.

Mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to impaired energy production and utilization, is believed to play a key role in the onset of fatigue and PEM, positioning it as a potential key pathophysiological mechanism underlying ME/CFS. Additionally, the disorder shows similarities to chronic viral infections, with frequent reports of immune system alterations, suggesting a critical role for immune (dys)functioning. In particular, the roles of immune senescence and immune exhaustion—two fundamental immune states—remain poorly understood in ME/CFS.

This state-of-the-art review explores how metabolic dysfunction and immune dysfunction may be interconnected in ME/CFS, proposing that energy deficits may directly impair immune function. By examining this metabolic–immune interplay, this review highlights potential pathways for developing innovative therapeutic strategies that target both energy metabolism and immune regulation, offering hope for improving patient outcomes.

Link | PDF (Biomolecules) [Open Access]

 

[DMissa]

increasingly important to nail down the causal relationships since this is all bi-directional feedback

 

[alex3619]

Quoting Isaac Asimov ... a circle has no end. Loops and spaghetti tangles of loops take a lot of work to understand.

 

[Dolphin]

ME Research UK:

Jente Van Campenhout and colleagues at Vrije Universiteit Brussel have recently published a review in the journal, Biomolecules, summarising the evidence connecting energy metabolism (the process of energy production and utilisation in the body) and dysfunction of the immune system in people with ME/CFS.

ME Research UK is currently funding Jente’s PhD-level research project looking at links between mitochondrial function and the autonomic nervous system in ME/CFS, and the review provides useful background to this area.

Read more: bit.ly/41w6HyJ

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

I find this unconvincing. Pretty much every paragraph start by assuming what it is going to argue.
I don't see it as likely that 'mitochondrial dysfunction' in the sense of impaired ability cogenerate ATP is awn important aspect of ME/CFS. I think it much more likely that the inability to perform activities is due to inhibitory signalling, maybe telling mitochondria togo slow but much more likely telling other rate limiting paths to go slow.

It isn't terribly encouraging when one of the first references is to Myhill.

I agree with @DMissa that there is need to nail down the direction of effects here. Cytokine and or neural signalling from an abnormal immune response may well altering usage of pathways.

But I intend to put my version of events out fairly soon and people can pick that to pieces too.