[HTML][HTML] Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome–evidence for an autoimmune disease

F Sotzny, J Blanco, E Capelli, J Castro-Marrero… - Autoimmunity …, 2018 - Elsevier
F Sotzny, J Blanco, E Capelli, J Castro-Marrero, S Steiner, M Murovska, C Scheibenbogen
Autoimmunity reviews, 2018Elsevier
Abstract Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a frequent and
severe chronic disease drastically impairing life quality. The underlying pathomechanism is
incompletely understood yet but there is convincing evidence that in at least a subset of
patients ME/CFS has an autoimmune etiology. In this review, we will discuss current
autoimmune aspects for ME/CFS. Immune dysregulation in ME/CFS has been frequently
described including changes in cytokine profiles and immunoglobulin levels, T-and B-cell …
Abstract
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a frequent and severe chronic disease drastically impairing life quality. The underlying pathomechanism is incompletely understood yet but there is convincing evidence that in at least a subset of patients ME/CFS has an autoimmune etiology. In this review, we will discuss current autoimmune aspects for ME/CFS. Immune dysregulation in ME/CFS has been frequently described including changes in cytokine profiles and immunoglobulin levels, T- and B-cell phenotype and a decrease of natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Moreover, autoantibodies against various antigens including neurotransmitter receptors have been recently identified in ME/CFS individuals by several groups. Consistently, clinical trials from Norway have shown that B-cell depletion with rituximab results in clinical benefits in about half of ME/CFS patients. Furthermore, recent studies have provided evidence for severe metabolic disturbances presumably mediated by serum autoantibodies in ME/CFS. Therefore, further efforts are required to delineate the role of autoantibodies in the onset and pathomechanisms of ME/CFS in order to better understand and properly treat this disease.
Elsevier