Evidence browser

Bioinformatics and systems biology approach to identify the pathogenetic link of Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Lv, Yongbiao, Zhang, Tian, Cai, Junxiang et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2022

Researchers compared the genes involved in Long COVID (lasting symptoms after COVID-19 infection) and ME/CFS to see if they share common biological causes. They found 9 genes that appear in both conditions and identified five key proteins that may be driving the shared symptoms. The study suggests these conditions may have overlapping mechanisms, pointing toward potential new treatments worth testing in future research.

Epipharyngeal Abrasive Therapy (EAT) Reduces the mRNA Expression of Major Proinflammatory Cytokine IL-6 in Chronic Epipharyngitis.

Nishi, Kensuke, Yoshimoto, Shohei, Nishi, Soichiro et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2022

This study looked at a Japanese treatment called Epipharyngeal Abrasive Therapy (EAT) that targets chronic inflammation in the epipharynx (the area behind your nasal cavity). The researchers found that patients who received EAT had significantly lower levels of IL-6, a key inflammatory molecule linked to ME/CFS symptoms, compared to those who didn't receive the treatment. This suggests that reducing inflammation in this specific area might help improve systemic symptoms in ME/CFS and similar conditions.

NeuroinflammationGut MicrobiomeImmune System

Mucosal Immunity and the Gut-Microbiota-Brain-Axis in Neuroimmune Disease.

Sterling, Kathryn G, Dodd, Griffin Kutler, Alhamdi, Shatha et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2022

This review article examines the connection between gut bacteria, immunity, and the brain in diseases like ME/CFS. The authors explain that the bacteria in our gut can communicate with our brain through chemical signals and nerves, but this communication can be disrupted in certain illnesses. They focus on how the immune system in the gut lining controls which bacteria thrive there, and how changes in these bacterial communities might contribute to neuroimmune diseases.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

New Clinical Phenotype of the Post-Covid Syndrome: Fibromyalgia and Joint Hypermobility Condition.

Gavrilova, Natalia, Soprun, Lidiia, Lukashenko, Maria et al.·Pathophysiology : the official journal of the International Society for Pathophysiology·2022

This study describes a pattern found in some people who developed fibromyalgia (widespread pain) after COVID-19 infection. The researchers noticed that young women with loose, flexible joints who had COVID-19 and a specific tendon injury were more likely to develop fibromyalgia along with signs of inflammation. The study presents three patient cases that fit this pattern, suggesting COVID-19 may trigger fibromyalgia in people whose connective tissues are already prone to damage.

Immune SystemLong COVID Overlap

Impaired TRPM3-dependent calcium influx and restoration using Naltrexone in natural killer cells of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Eaton-Fitch, Natalie, Du Preez, Stanley, Cabanas, Hélène et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2022

This study found that immune cells called natural killer cells in ME/CFS patients have a broken calcium channel (TRPM3) that prevents them from working properly. When researchers treated these cells overnight with a drug called naltrexone, the calcium channel started working better and the immune cells functioned more like those from healthy people. This suggests that ME/CFS may involve faulty ion channels and that naltrexone could potentially help restore immune cell function.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

Elevated ATG13 in serum of patients with ME/CFS stimulates oxidative stress response in microglial cells via activation of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE).

Gottschalk, Gunnar, Peterson, Daniel, Knox, Konstance et al.·Molecular and cellular neurosciences·2022

Researchers found that people with ME/CFS have higher levels of a protein called ATG13 in their blood compared to healthy people. When they tested this protein on brain immune cells in the lab, it triggered the production of harmful molecules called free radicals (oxidative stress). This suggests that a breakdown in the body's cellular recycling system (autophagy) might contribute to the inflammation and stress response seen in ME/CFS.

Chronic post-COVID-19 syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome: Is there a role for extracorporeal apheresis?

Bornstein, Stefan R, Voit-Bak, Karin, Donate, Timo et al.·Molecular psychiatry·2022

Some people who had COVID-19 continue to experience fatigue and breathing problems long after recovering from the infection, a condition called long-COVID. This pattern of ongoing symptoms looks similar to ME/CFS, another condition that causes persistent fatigue. Researchers found that both conditions may involve the body producing antibodies (immune proteins) that attack certain nerve receptors. A treatment called extracorporeal apheresis, which filters blood to remove these harmful antibodies, showed promise in improving symptoms in ME/CFS patients and might also help those with long-COVID.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Identification of transient receptor potential melastatin 3 proteotypic peptides employing an efficient membrane protein extraction method for natural killer cells.

Magawa, Chandi T, Eaton-Fitch, Natalie, Balinas, Cassandra et al.·Frontiers in physiology·2022

Researchers developed a better way to extract and study proteins from immune cells called natural killer cells in ME/CFS patients. They focused on a specific protein channel called TRPM3, which may play a role in ME/CFS. This study shows they can now reliably detect this protein, which opens the door for future research to understand how it might be different in ME/CFS.

Phenotypic characteristics of peripheral immune cells of Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome via transmission electron microscopy: A pilot study.

Jahanbani, Fereshteh, Maynard, Rajan D, Sing, Justin Cyril et al.·PloS one·2022

Researchers used a powerful microscope to examine immune cells from people with ME/CFS and found several abnormalities. They observed that immune cells from ME/CFS patients died more frequently when activated, had swollen energy-producing structures (mitochondria), and in one severely ill patient, contained unusual fat-like accumulations. These cellular changes suggest that ME/CFS involves real, measurable damage to immune system function.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

The autonomic aspects of the post-COVID19 syndrome.

Dotan, Arad, David, Paula, Arnheim, Dana et al.·Autoimmunity reviews·2022

After COVID-19 infection, many people experience long-lasting symptoms similar to ME/CFS, including fatigue, brain fog, and mood problems. Recent research suggests the immune system may attack nerve cells that control heart rate, blood pressure, and other automatic body functions, rather than just the virus itself. The authors propose that exercise therapy might be safer and more helpful than immunosuppressive drugs for treating these lingering post-COVID symptoms.

The effect of IL-2 stimulation and treatment of TRPM3 on channel co-localisation with PIP2 and NK cell function in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Eaton-Fitch, Natalie, Cabanas, Hélène, du Preez, Stanley et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2021

This study looked at immune cells called NK cells in ME/CFS patients and compared them to healthy people. The researchers focused on a protein channel called TRPM3 that helps control calcium levels in cells, which may be important for immune function. They found that this channel doesn't work properly in ME/CFS patients, but when cells were stimulated with a chemical called IL-2, the NK cells from ME/CFS patients could kill viruses and abnormal cells as effectively as healthy people's cells.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Evaluation of natural killer cell assay performance on shipped blood specimens.

Querec, Troy D, Abrams, Joseph, Stewart, Jennifer J et al.·Journal of immunological methods·2021

This study tested different laboratory methods for measuring natural killer (NK) cell function—an immune system measurement that may be important for ME/CFS—using blood samples that were shipped overnight instead of tested immediately. Researchers compared three different testing approaches and found that two of them (CRCA and FCCA) gave similar results when blood samples were processed a day after collection, suggesting these tests could work for clinical settings where samples need to be shipped.

BiomarkersImmune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Coombs-Negative Haemolytic Anaemia, Direct Hyperbilirubinaemia and Splenomegaly: A Rare Amalgam.

Kulkarni, Radhika, Basheer, Amjad, Khan, Aziz·European journal of case reports in internal medicine·2021

This case report describes a young woman who developed an unusual combination of liver problems, destruction of red blood cells, and an enlarged spleen—all caused by reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the virus behind infectious mononucleosis. The case highlights that EBV can cause rare and complex symptoms affecting multiple body systems, and doctors should test for EBV early when patients have these types of multi-system problems rather than jumping to expensive or invasive tests.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

The Health-Promoting Properties and Clinical Applications of Rice Bran Arabinoxylan Modified with Shiitake Mushroom Enzyme-A Narrative Review.

Ooi, Soo Liang, Pak, Sok Cheon, Micalos, Peter S et al.·Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)·2021

This review examines a supplement called RBAC, made from rice bran processed with shiitake mushroom enzyme, which may have immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory effects. The authors found evidence that RBAC might help with several conditions including cancer, HIV, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, liver disease, and possibly chronic fatigue syndrome and the common cold. The supplement appears safe at typical doses of 2-3 grams per day, but more research is needed to confirm its benefits.

Bioenergetic and Proteomic Profiling of Immune Cells in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients: An Exploratory Study.

Fernandez-Guerra, Paula, Gonzalez-Ebsen, Ana C, Boonen, Susanne E et al.·Biomolecules·2021

This study looked at how cells in ME/CFS patients produce and use energy differently than in healthy people. Researchers examined immune cells from six ME/CFS patients and found that these cells have lower efficiency in their mitochondria (the 'power plants' of cells) and struggle to produce enough energy to meet their needs. This energy shortage in cells may help explain why ME/CFS patients experience severe fatigue.

Characterization of IL-2 Stimulation and TRPM7 Pharmacomodulation in NK Cell Cytotoxicity and Channel Co-Localization with PIP2 in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

Du Preez, Stanley, Eaton-Fitch, Natalie, Cabanas, Helene et al.·International journal of environmental research and public health·2021

This study looked at immune cells called NK cells in ME/CFS patients and compared them to healthy people. The researchers focused on a specific channel (TRPM7) in these cells that helps control calcium levels, which is important for the immune system to work properly. They found that when these channels were stimulated, there appeared to be a connection between a signaling molecule (IL-2) and TRPM7 activity in ME/CFS patients' NK cells.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Study on the Relationship between the miRNA-centered ceRNA Regulatory Network and Fatigue.

Yang, Xingzhe, Li, Feng, Ma, Jie et al.·Journal of molecular neuroscience : MN·2021

This review examines how tiny molecules called miRNAs (and related molecules like lncRNAs and circRNAs) may control genes involved in fatigue. These molecules work together in a network to influence energy production, immune function, and brain signaling—all key factors in chronic fatigue. The authors argue that understanding this genetic control network could help explain why people develop fatigue and potentially lead to better ways to diagnose and treat it.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Altered endothelial dysfunction-related miRs in plasma from ME/CFS patients.

Blauensteiner, J, Bertinat, R, León, L E et al.·Scientific reports·2021

This study looked at tiny molecules called microRNAs in the blood of ME/CFS patients to understand what might be going wrong with their blood vessels. The researchers found that five specific microRNAs were higher in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people, and these molecules are known to affect how blood vessels function. This discovery suggests that blood vessel problems might be part of what causes ME/CFS symptoms.

BiomarkersImmune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Inflammation plays a causal role in fatigue-like behavior induced by pelvic irradiation in mice.

Wolff, Brian S, Alshawi, Sarah A, Feng, Li Rebekah et al.·Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2021

Researchers gave mice targeted radiation to the pelvis (similar to cancer treatment) and found that the mice became less active afterward—a fatigue-like behavior. They discovered that inflammation, particularly a protein called IL-6, plays a key role in causing this fatigue. When they reduced inflammation using a drug called minocycline or using mice genetically unable to trigger certain inflammatory pathways, the fatigue was reduced but not completely eliminated.

Lessons From Heat Stroke for Understanding Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Stanculescu, Dominic, Sepúlveda, Nuno, Lim, Chin Leong et al.·Frontiers in neurology·2021

This study compares how the body breaks down during heat stroke with what happens in ME/CFS. Both conditions involve similar problems: inflammation, damage to the gut lining that allows harmful substances into the bloodstream, blood clotting issues, and problems with how cells produce energy. By understanding heat stroke better, researchers hope to find new ways to treat ME/CFS.