Open AccessUnravelling myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): Gender‐specific changes in the microRNA expression profiling in ME/CFS
Author(s) -
Cheema Amanpreet K.,
Sarria Leonor,
Bekheit Mina,
Collado Fanny,
AlmenarPérez Eloy,
MartínMartínez Eva,
Alegre Jose,
CastroMarrero Jesus,
Fletcher Mary A.,
Klimas Nancy G.,
Oltra Elisa,
Nathanson Lubov
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/jcmm.15260
Subject(s) - chronic fatigue syndrome , encephalomyelitis , microrna , immunology , medicine , immune system , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , inflammation , peripheral blood , gene expression profiling , chronic fatigue , bioinformatics , gene expression , biology , genetics , multiple sclerosis , gene , in vitro
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a multisystem illness characterized by medically unexplained debilitating fatigue with suggested altered immunological state. Our study aimed to explore peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) for microRNAs (miRNAs) expression in ME/CFS subjects under an exercise challenge. The findings highlight the immune response and inflammation links to differential miRNA expression in ME/CFS. The present study is particularly important in being the first to uncover the differences that exist in miRNA expression patterns in males and females with ME/CFS in response to exercise. This provides new evidence for the understanding of differential miRNA expression patterns and post‐exertional malaise in ME/CFS. We also report miRNA expression pattern differences associating with the nutritional status in individuals with ME/CFS, highlighting the effect of subjects' metabolic state on molecular changes to be considered in clinical research within the NINDS/CDC ME/CFS Common Data Elements. The identification of gender‐based miRNAs importantly provides new insights into gender‐specific ME/CFS susceptibility and demands exploration of sex‐suited ME/CFS therapeutics.