Title
CD4 T lymphocytes from patients with chronic fatigue syndrome have decreased interferon-γ production and increased sensitivity to dexamethasone
Author
Visser, J.
Blauw, B.
Hinloopen, B.
Brommer, E.
Ronald De Kloet, E.
Kluft, C.
Nagelkerken, L.
TNO Preventie en Gezondheid
Publication year
1998
Abstract
A disturbed hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal gland axis and alterations at the immune system level have been observed in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Glucocorticoids are known to modulate T cell responses; therefore, purified CD4 T cells from CFS patients were studied to determine whether they have an altered sensitivity to dexamethasone (DEX). CD4 T cells from CFS patients produced less interferon-γ than did cells from controls; by contrast, interleukin-4 production and cell proliferation were comparable. With CD4 T cells from CFS patients (compared with cells from controls), a 10- to 20-fold lower DEX concentration was needed to achieve 50% inhibition of interleukin-4 production and proliferation, indicating an increased sensitivity to DEX in CFS patients. Surprisingly, interferon-γ production in patients and controls was equally sensitive to DEX. A differential sensitivity of cytokines or CD4 T cell subsets to glucocorticoids might explain an altered immunologic function in CFS patients.
Subject
Pharmacology
Adult
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes
Cell Division
Cells, Cultured
Dexamethasone
Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic
Glucocorticoids
Humans
Interferon Type II
Interleukin-4
Middle Aged
Th1 Cells
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TNO identifier
234375
ISSN
0022-1899
Source
Journal of Infectious Diseases, 177 (2), 451-454
Document type
article