Abstract

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex chronic disease, rooted in multi-system dysfunctions characterized by unexplained debilitating fatigue. Post-exertional malaise (PEM), defined as the exacerbation of the patient's symptoms following minimal physical or mental stress, is a hallmark of ME/CFS. While multiple case definitions exist, there is currently no well-established biomarkers or laboratory tests to diagnose ME/CFS. Our study aimed to investigate circulating microRNA expression in severely ill ME/CFS patients before and after an innovative stress challenge that stimulates PEM. Our findings highlight the differential expression of eleven microRNAs associated with a physiological response to PEM. The present study uncovers specific microRNA expression signatures associated with ME/CFS in response to PEM induction and reports microRNA expression patterns associated to specific symptom severities. The identification of distinctive microRNA expression signatures for ME/CFS through a provocation challenge is essential for the elucidation of the ME/CFS pathophysiology, and lead to accurate diagnoses, prevention measures, and effective treatment options.

Details

Title
Profile of circulating microRNAs in myalgic encephalomyelitis and their relation to symptom severity, and disease pathophysiology
Author
Nepotchatykh Evguenia 1 ; Elremaly Wesam 2 ; Caraus Iurie 2 ; Godbout, Christian 3 ; Leveau Corinne 2 ; Chalder Lynda 2 ; Beaudin, Catherine 4 ; Kanamaru Emi 4 ; Kosovskaia Renata 4 ; Lauzon, Shawn 4 ; Maillet Yanick 4 ; Franco, Anita 4 ; Lascau-Coman Viorica 4 ; Saadallah, Bouhanik 4 ; Gaitan, Yaned Patricia 4 ; Li, Dawei 5 ; Moreau, Alain 6 

 Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, Viscogliosi Laboratory in Molecular Genetics of Musculoskeletal Diseases, Office 2.17.027, Montreal, Canada (GRID:grid.411418.9) (ISNI:0000 0001 2173 6322); Université de Montréal, Molecular Biology PhD Program, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Montreal, Canada (GRID:grid.14848.31) (ISNI:0000 0001 2292 3357) 
 Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, Viscogliosi Laboratory in Molecular Genetics of Musculoskeletal Diseases, Office 2.17.027, Montreal, Canada (GRID:grid.411418.9) (ISNI:0000 0001 2173 6322); Université de Montréal, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Montreal, Canada (GRID:grid.14848.31) (ISNI:0000 0001 2292 3357) 
 Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, Patient-Partner, ICanCME Research Network, Montreal, Canada (GRID:grid.411418.9) (ISNI:0000 0001 2173 6322) 
 Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, Viscogliosi Laboratory in Molecular Genetics of Musculoskeletal Diseases, Office 2.17.027, Montreal, Canada (GRID:grid.411418.9) (ISNI:0000 0001 2173 6322) 
 University of Vermont, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Burlington, USA (GRID:grid.59062.38) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 7689) 
 Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, Viscogliosi Laboratory in Molecular Genetics of Musculoskeletal Diseases, Office 2.17.027, Montreal, Canada (GRID:grid.411418.9) (ISNI:0000 0001 2173 6322); Université de Montréal, Molecular Biology PhD Program, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Montreal, Canada (GRID:grid.14848.31) (ISNI:0000 0001 2292 3357); Université de Montréal, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Montreal, Canada (GRID:grid.14848.31) (ISNI:0000 0001 2292 3357); Université de Montréal, Department of Stomatology, Faculty of Dentistry, Montreal, Canada (GRID:grid.14848.31) (ISNI:0000 0001 2292 3357) 
Publication year
2020
Publication date
2020
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
e-ISSN
20452322
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2471561437
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2020. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.