Translational Medicine
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-1025
ISSN: 2161-1025
S.M. Marshall-Gradisnik, K.J. Ashton, S.L. Hardcastle1, T. Huth, L. Cosgrave J. Batovska, G. Atkinson1, M.L. van Driel, D.R. Staines and E.W. Brenu
AcceptedAbstracts: Transl Med
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a complex multi-system disorder that affects a number of people worldwide. It is characterized by persistent debilitating fatigue. The available research suggests that immune dysfunction including reduced Natural Killer (NK) cell activity and differential expression of cytokines are attributes of CFS. Currently, the most effective method of diagnosing CFS is based on self report questionnaires as there are no diagnostic biomarkers for CFS and an exact mechanism is lacking. These shortcomings permit inaccurate diagnosis and inefficient treatment strategies. Thus identification of markers associated with CFS is a fundamental objective among many CFS researchers and clinicians. To this end an innovative study aimed at identifying biomarkers for CFS was performed. Examinations of the adaptive and innate immune parameters including NK and CD8+T cell cytotoxic activity, NK phenotypes, T cell cytokines, FOXP3 and KIR receptors have identified important markers that may be important for diagnosing CFS. Importantly, reduced NK cytotoxic activity was confirmed to be the most appropriate biomarker for CFS as consistencies were observed during a longitudinal assessment. Other markers that may have potential to be labeled as appropriate biomarkers for CFS include increasing levels of FOXP3 and decreased CD8+T cell cytotoxic activity. Cytokine levels in CFS patients may vary with time due to a number of factors that require further investigations. In summary, cytotoxic activity is an important and suitable biomarker for CFS, further investigations are required to determine there are more biomarkers for differentiating CFS from other disorders that may share similar immune patterns.
Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik has completed her Ph.D from Southern Cross University and postdoctoral studies. She is the director of Population Health and Neuroimmunology Unit, a premier in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome located at Griffith University, Australia. She has published more than 45 papers in reputed journals and serving as an editorial board member Journal of Translational Medicine. Her research has attracted over $4million in research funds.