Event Abstract

T Cell Dysregulation in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

  • 1 Griffith University, School of Medical Sciences, Australia
  • 2 Griffith University, Griffith Health Institute, Australia
  • 3 Queensland Health, Australia

Gamma delta (γδ) T lymphocytes comprise about 1–10% of peripheral lymphocytes. Although, functionally distinct from the more diverse αβ T cells, γδ T cells have important roles in pathogenesis and inflammation. γδ T cells secrete cytokines and chemokines essential for regulating adaptive immunity. In diseases such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) decreased activity of cytotoxic T cells and elevations in FOXP3 secreting T cells have been reported. Dysregulation in T cell function may be an important component of the CFS/ME immune profile. Hence, the objective of this study was to determine the role of γδ T cells in CFS/ME patients. 20 CFS/ME patients (age=51.8±1.74 years) and 30 non-fatigued controls (age= 53.19±1.35years) were recruited for the study. Inclusion into the CFS/ME group was based on the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC 1994) criteria definition for CFS/ME. 10mL of whole blood was collected from all participants. The whole blood samples were stained with a cocktail of monoclonal antibodies containing CD4, CD62L, CD27, CD45RA, CD3, CD11a, CD94, V delta-1 and V delta-2. Following which samples were analysed on the flow cytometer. The statistical analysis used to determine differences in the data was ANOVA with significant set at P=0.05. Compared to non-fatigue controls, modifications in cell number were observed in the CFS/ME patients. The results demonstrate that CFS/ME may be characterised by discrepancies in other subsets of T cells.

Keywords: chronic fatigue syndrome, T Cell Dysregulation, γδ T cells, Cytotoxic T Cells, Foxp3

Conference: 15th International Congress of Immunology (ICI), Milan, Italy, 22 Aug - 27 Aug, 2013.

Presentation Type: Abstract

Topic: Adaptive Immunity

Citation: Brenu EW, Hardcastle SL, Huth TK, Cosgrave LM, Staines DR and Marshall-Gradisnik SM (2013). T Cell Dysregulation in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Front. Immunol. Conference Abstract: 15th International Congress of Immunology (ICI). doi: 10.3389/conf.fimmu.2013.02.01009

Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters.

The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated.

Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed.

For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions.

Received: 30 Jun 2013; Published Online: 22 Aug 2013.

* Correspondence: Dr. Ekua W Brenu, Griffith University, School of Medical Sciences, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4222, Australia, e.brenu@griffith.edu.au