Single-cell transcriptomics of the immune system in ME/CFS at baseline and following symptom provocation

Cell Rep Med. 2024 Jan 16;5(1):101373. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101373.

Abstract

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a serious and poorly understood disease. To understand immune dysregulation in ME/CFS, we use single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to examine immune cells in patient and control cohorts. Postexertional malaise (PEM), an exacerbation of symptoms following strenuous exercise, is a characteristic symptom of ME/CFS. To detect changes coincident with PEM, we applied scRNA-seq on the same cohorts following exercise. At baseline, ME/CFS patients display classical monocyte dysregulation suggestive of inappropriate differentiation and migration to tissue. We identify both diseased and more normal monocytes within patients, and the fraction of diseased cells correlates with disease severity. Comparing the transcriptome at baseline and postexercise challenge, we discover patterns indicative of improper platelet activation in patients, with minimal changes elsewhere in the immune system. Taken together, these data identify immunological defects present at baseline in patients and an additional layer of dysregulation in platelets.

Keywords: CPET; exercise challenge; long COVID; monocytes; myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS); platelets; scRNA-seq.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Exercise / physiology
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic* / diagnosis
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic* / genetics
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Humans
  • Monocytes
  • Transcriptome