Exploring the role of galectin-9 and artemin as biomarkers in long COVID with chronic fatigue syndrome: links to inflammation and cognitive function. — CFSMEATLAS
Exploring the role of galectin-9 and artemin as biomarkers in long COVID with chronic fatigue syndrome: links to inflammation and cognitive function.
Elahi, Shokrollah, Rezaeifar, Maryam, Osman, Mohammed et al. · Frontiers in immunology · 2024 · DOI
Quick Summary
Researchers studied two proteins in the blood—galectin-9 and artemin—to see if they could help identify people with Long COVID who also have ME/CFS. They found that galectin-9 levels were higher in Long COVID patients and were linked to inflammation and thinking problems. These proteins may help doctors distinguish Long COVID with ME/CFS from people who recovered normally from COVID-19.
Why It Matters
ME/CFS lacks objective diagnostic biomarkers, making diagnosis difficult for patients and clinicians. Identifying blood-based biomarkers like galectin-9 could enable earlier detection and differentiation of Long COVID with ME/CFS from other post-viral conditions. This research also provides evidence linking immune dysregulation and possible gut barrier dysfunction to cognitive symptoms, advancing understanding of ME/CFS mechanisms.
Observed Findings
Plasma galectin-9 levels were elevated in Long COVID/ME-CFS patients compared to recovered and healthy controls.
Galectin-9 correlated positively with inflammatory markers (SAA, IP-10) and cognitive failure scores in LC patients.
Elevated LPS-binding protein was detected in LC patients, suggesting possible bacterial translocation from the gut.
Artemin levels were significantly lower in Long COVID patients despite elevated galectin-9.
ROC curve analysis showed galectin-9 and artemin had diagnostic potential to differentiate LC patients from controls.
Inferred Conclusions
Galectin-9 and artemin may serve as blood biomarkers to help identify and screen for Long COVID with ME/CFS.
Elevated galectin-9 may link immune dysregulation to cognitive impairment in Long COVID/ME-CFS patients.
Microbial translocation (bacterial products crossing the gut barrier) may contribute to Long COVID/ME-CFS pathophysiology, similar to mechanisms observed in HIV infection.
The galectin-9/artemin imbalance represents a novel immune dysregulation pattern in Long COVID/ME-CFS.
Remaining Questions
Do galectin-9 and artemin levels change over time, and can they predict disease progression or treatment response?
What This Study Does Not Prove
This study cannot establish whether galectin-9 *causes* cognitive problems or inflammation, only that they occur together. The cross-sectional design means we cannot determine if these biomarker levels change over time or predict disease progression. The findings also do not prove these biomarkers are specific to ME/CFS, as similar patterns may occur in other conditions.