Genomics and the cytokine network in ME

Genomics in ME

Gene variants of IL12B, IL1B and IL4R have been identified as a risk loci in ME (1):

Slide from: Whole Genome Sequencing and Analysis of ME/CFS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIJX-Q7w_Z4

Cytokines in ME

Plasma cytokine levels have been measured in ME patients with short-duration illness (≤3 years) and ME patients with long-duration illness (>3 years) (2).

IL-12B (IL-12p40) was increased in short-duration and decreased in long-duration compared to normal controls.

IL-1β was decreased in long-duration compared to short-duration and normal controls (2).

IL4 was increased in short-duration and decreased in long-duration compared to normal controls (2).

Interferon-γ (IFNγ) was decreased in long-duration compared to short-duration and normal controls (2).

Cytokines and IDO1

IL-12B stimulate the production of IFNγ, and  IFNγ induce IDO1 activity (3).

IDO1 is inhibited by IL-4 (3).

Do the risk loci play a role in the ME-IDO-metabolic trap hypothesis?

Further reading:

Genomics, proteomics and transcriptomics show the iNOS pathway is upregulated in ME
http://followmeindenmark.blogspot.com/2019/09/genomics-proteomics-and-transcriptomics.html

References:

1) Whole Genome Sequencing and Analysis of ME/CFS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIJX-Q7w_Z4

2) Hornig et al: Distinct plasma immune signatures in ME/CFS are present early in the course of illness. Sci Adv. 2015 Feb;1(1). pii: e1400121.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26079000

3) Opitz et al: Tryptophan degradation in autoimmune diseases. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2007 Oct;64(19-20):2542-63. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17611712