Osnes, Liv T, Nakken, Britt, Bodolay, Edit et al. · Autoimmunity reviews · 2013 · DOI
This article reviews how scientists measure specific immune system molecules called cytokines and immune cells to help diagnose and monitor autoimmune diseases and immune deficiencies. By measuring both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers together, doctors can better understand what's happening in a patient's immune system and track whether treatments are working.
For ME/CFS research, this review is relevant because emerging evidence suggests ME/CFS involves immune dysregulation with abnormal cytokine patterns and regulatory cell dysfunction. Understanding how cytokine and regulatory cell profiling can identify and subtype immunological disturbances may help develop objective biomarkers for ME/CFS diagnosis and guide personalized treatment strategies.
This review does not establish that any specific cytokine or regulatory cell profile is pathogenic in ME/CFS, nor does it provide ME/CFS-specific data. The review discusses general principles applicable to autoimmune disease and immunodeficiency; applicability to ME/CFS requires dedicated research. Cross-disease generalizations from autoimmune conditions may not directly translate to ME/CFS pathophysiology.
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