Assessment of Natural Killer Cell Receptors and Activity in Severe and Moderate Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
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1
Griffith University, School of Medical Sciences, Australia
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2
Griffith University, Griffith Health Institute, Australia
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3
Queensland Health, Australia
Abnormalities in the immune system are a common finding within sufferers of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Research has consistently found compromised Natural Killer (NK) cell function in CFS subjects. The mechanism of the reduced NK function is unknown and however this may potentially be related to the presence of NK receptors. It is also unknown whether reduced NK function is further compromised within CFS subjects who are very severely affected by the disease. The purpose of this study was to examine NK activity and Killer Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIRs) in moderate (MFS) and severely affected CFS (SFS) subjects in comparison to controls. CFS subjects were characterised as either moderate or severely affected based on health and quality of life questionnaires. Severe subjects were housebound. Blood samples were collected s from controls (n=9; 50.9 + 2.5 years), MFS (n=9; 49.9+ 3.7years) and SFS subjects (n=9; 42.3 + 3.9 years). Using flow cytometry NK cells were measured for their activity based on their ability to lyse K562 cells and cell surface expression of KIRs. ANOVA was the statistical method used to assess all data collected. Preliminary data from CFS subjects showed significant reductions NK cell activity and an increase in KIR3DL1 in CFS subjects when compared to the controls. Results suggest that CFS patients have further compromised immune function, particularly reduced NK cell activity, when compared to controls. Additionally, increased levels of KIR, particularly KIR3DL1 in CFS patients, may potentially explain why these patients have a decrease in NK lysis.
Keywords:
CFS,
Severe,
Natural Killer,
receptors,
Lysis
Conference:
15th International Congress of Immunology (ICI), Milan, Italy, 22 Aug - 27 Aug, 2013.
Presentation Type:
Abstract
Topic:
Innate immunity
Citation:
Hardcastle
SL,
Brenu
EW,
Staines
DR and
Marshall-Gradisnik
SM
(2013). Assessment of Natural Killer Cell Receptors and Activity in Severe and Moderate Chronic Fatigue Syndrome..
Front. Immunol.
Conference Abstract:
15th International Congress of Immunology (ICI).
doi: 10.3389/conf.fimmu.2013.02.01040
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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