Investigation of mast cell toll-like receptor 3 in CFS/ME & Systemic Mastocytosis using novel application of autoMACS..., 2017, Balinas et al

[Andy]

Full title - Investigation of mast cell toll-like receptor 3 in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Systemic Mastocytosis participants using the novel application of autoMACS magnetic separation and flow cytometry.

Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Viral infections and hypersensitivities are commonly reported by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) patients. Mast Cells (MC) uniquely mediate type 1 hypersensitivities and resolve viral infections via toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3).

OBJECTIVE:
To characterise and compare mast cell progenitors (MCPs) in CFS/ME participants with a known MC disorder, Systemic mastocytosis (SM), and secondly, to investigate the role of MC TLR3 in CFS/ME participants following Polyinosinicolycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) stimulation.

METHODS:
A total of 11 International Consensus Criteria defined CFS/ME participants (40.42 ± 10.31), 9 World Health Organisation defined systemic mastocytosis (SM) participants (47.00 ± 10.37) and 12 healthy controls (HC) (36.36 ± 9.88) were included. Following autoMACS magnetic separation, CD117+/Lin-MCPs were stimulated with Poly I:C for 24hr. MCP purity (CD117 and Lin2), maturity (CD34 and FcεRI), interaction receptors and ligands (CD154 and HLA-DR), and SM-specific (CD2 and CD25) markers were measured using flow cytometry.

RESULTS:
There was a significant decrease in HLA-DR+/CD154- expression between CFS/ME and SM groups pre and post Poly I:C stimulation. There were no significant differences in maturity MCPs, CD154, and CD2/CD25 expression between groups pre and post Poly I:C stimulation.

CONCLUSION:
This pilot investigation provides a novel methodology to characterise MCPs in a rapid, inexpensive and less invasive fashion. We report a significant decrease in HLA-DR+/CD154- expression between CFS/ME and SM participants, and an observed increase in HLA-DR-/CD154+ expression post Poly I:C stimulation in CFS/ME participants. Peripheral MCPs may be present in CFS/ME pathophysiology, however further investigation is required to determine their immunological role.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29223146

 

[Snow Leopard]

Listing seems recent, DOI doesn't work yet.

I don't understand how TLR3 ties into the results they've reported.

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

The abstract is confusing. It seems that they found evidence that PWME do not have systemic mastocytosis - which is not very surprising. There is no comment about the comparison between ME and controls.