Unravelling intracellular immune dysfunctions in chronic fatigue syndrome: interactions between protein kinase R activity, RNase L cleavage and elastase activity, and their clinical relevance

In Vivo. 2008 Jan-Feb;22(1):115-21.

Abstract

This study examined possible interactions between immunological abnormalities and symptoms in CFS. Sixteen CFS patients filled in a battery of questionnaires, evaluating daily functioning, and underwent venous blood sampling, in order to analyse immunological abnormalities. Ribonuclease (RNase) L cleavage was associated with RNase L activity (rs=0.570; p=0.021), protein kinase R (PKR) (rs=0.716; p=0.002) and elastase activity (rs=0.500; p=0.049). RNase L activity was related to elastase (rs=0.547; p=0.028) and PKR activity (rs=0.625; p=0.010). RNase L activity (rs=0.535; p=0.033), elastase activity (rs=0.585; p=0.017) and RNase L cleavage (rs=0.521; p=0.038) correlated with daily functioning. This study suggests that in CFS patients an increase in elastase activity and subsequent RNase L cleavage is accompanied by increased activity of both the PKR and RNase L enzymes. RNase L and elastase activity are related to daily functioning, thus evidence supporting the clinical importance of these immune dysfunctions in CFS patients was provided.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Endoribonucleases / metabolism*
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / blood
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / enzymology*
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Immune System / metabolism*
  • Immune System / physiopathology
  • Lymphocytes / enzymology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monocytes / enzymology
  • Pancreatic Elastase / metabolism*
  • Quality of Life
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • eIF-2 Kinase / metabolism*

Substances

  • eIF-2 Kinase
  • Endoribonucleases
  • 2-5A-dependent ribonuclease
  • Pancreatic Elastase