In:
PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 17, No. 8 ( 2022-8-9), p. e0272703-
Abstract:
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex chronic multi-systemic disease characterized by extreme fatigue that is not improved by rest, and worsens after exertion, whether physical or mental. Previous studies have shown ME/CFS-associated alterations in the immune system and mitochondria. We used transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to investigate the morphology and ultrastructure of unstimulated and stimulated ME/CFS immune cells and their intracellular organelles, including mitochondria. PBMCs from four participants were studied: a pair of identical twins discordant for moderate ME/CFS, as well as two age- and gender- matched unrelated subjects—one with an extremely severe form of ME/CFS and the other healthy. TEM analysis of CD3/CD28-stimulated T cells suggested a significant increase in the levels of apoptotic and necrotic cell death in T cells from ME/CFS patients (over 2-fold). Stimulated Tcells of ME/CFS patients also had higher numbers of swollen mitochondria. We also found a large increase in intracellular giant lipid droplet-like organelles in the stimulated PBMCs from the extremely severe ME/CFS patient potentially indicative of a lipid storage disorder. Lastly, we observed a slight increase in platelet aggregation in stimulated cells, suggestive of a possible role of platelet activity in ME/CFS pathophysiology and disease severity. These results indicate extensive morphological alterations in the cellular and mitochondrial phenotypes of ME/CFS patients’ immune cells and suggest new insights into ME/CFS biology.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1932-6203
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272703
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.g002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.g003
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.g004
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.t001
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.t002
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.t003
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.t004
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.t005
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.s001
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.s002
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.s003
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.s004
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.s005
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.s006
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.s007
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.s008
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.s009
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.s010
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.s011
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.s012
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.s013
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.s014
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.s015
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.s016
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.s017
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.s018
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.s019
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.r001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.r002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.r003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272703.r004
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2267670-3
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