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Altered Glucocorticoid Regulation of the Immune Response in the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Author(s) -
VISSER JEROEN T.J.,
KLOET E. RONALD,
NAGELKERKEN LEX
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2000.tb05453.x
Subject(s) - chronic fatigue syndrome , immune system , glucocorticoid , immunity , immunology , humoral immunity , cellular immunity , medicine , immune dysfunction
A bstract : It is increasingly recognized that glucocortiocoids (GCS) can have subtle modulatory effects in immunoregulation rather than having generalized immunosuppressive effects. GCs suppress Th1 cells and cellular immunity, but may favor Th2 responses and humoral immunity. The chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) appears to be associated with a disturbed HPA‐axis. Moreover, CFS patients show several immunological changes suggestive of decreased cellular immunity. It is postulated herein that in CFS patients a decreased Th1/Th2 balance may be the result of selective effects of GC on the IL‐10/IL‐12 regulatory circuit.