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  • Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/C...
    Sotzny, Franziska; Blanco, Julià; Capelli, Enrica; Castro-Marrero, Jesús; Steiner, Sophie; Murovska, Modra; Scheibenbogen, Carmen

    Autoimmunity reviews, 06/2018, Letnik: 17, Številka: 6
    Journal Article

    Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a frequent and severe chronic disease drastically impairing life quality. The underlying pathomechanism is incompletely understood yet but there is convincing evidence that in at least a subset of patients ME/CFS has an autoimmune etiology. In this review, we will discuss current autoimmune aspects for ME/CFS. Immune dysregulation in ME/CFS has been frequently described including changes in cytokine profiles and immunoglobulin levels, T- and B-cell phenotype and a decrease of natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Moreover, autoantibodies against various antigens including neurotransmitter receptors have been recently identified in ME/CFS individuals by several groups. Consistently, clinical trials from Norway have shown that B-cell depletion with rituximab results in clinical benefits in about half of ME/CFS patients. Furthermore, recent studies have provided evidence for severe metabolic disturbances presumably mediated by serum autoantibodies in ME/CFS. Therefore, further efforts are required to delineate the role of autoantibodies in the onset and pathomechanisms of ME/CFS in order to better understand and properly treat this disease. •The pathogenesis of ME/CFS is multifactorial, and immunological and environmental factors play a role.•Autoimmune mechanisms can be linked with ME/CFS at least in a subset of patients.•Autoantibodies mostly against nuclear and neurotransmitter receptors are found in a subset of ME/CFS patients.•Immunomodulatory therapeutic strategies targeting autoantibodies may be beneficial and should be pursued.