Abstract
Acute infection is known to perturb psycho-neuroendocrine-immune (PNI) gene expression. Oligonucleotide microarrays were used to examine PNI gene expression in the peripheral blood of 13 subjects with infectious mononucleosis (IM). Novel peripheral blood gene expression activity was correlated with central-nervous-system-mediated symptoms including fatigue and sleep disturbance. Of note, expression of the MADS box transcription enhancer factor 2 polypeptide C (MEF2C) gene, previously implicated in skeletal muscle myogenesis, correlated with symptoms of musculo-skeletal pain and fatigue. Expression of the hypocretin/orexin receptor HCRTR2, which has been implicated in narcolepsy, correlated with sleep disturbance. And, VACHT, the vesicular acetylcholine transporter, was highly correlated with neurocognitive disturbance. The expression of both HCRTR2 and MEF2C in the peripheral blood was validated by reverse transcription PCR. Thus, investigation of the PNI response in peripheral blood may provide novel insights into the complex pathophysiology of centrally mediated disease states.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Adult
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Affect
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Behavior / physiology*
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Cognition / physiology
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Cohort Studies
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Female
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Gene Expression / physiology*
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Herpesvirus 4, Human
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Humans
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Immune System / physiology*
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Infectious Mononucleosis / genetics*
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Infectious Mononucleosis / psychology*
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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MADS Domain Proteins / genetics
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MEF2 Transcription Factors
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Muscle Development / genetics
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Myogenic Regulatory Factors / genetics
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Narcolepsy / genetics
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Neuropeptides / genetics
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Neurosecretory Systems / physiology*
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Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
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Orexins
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Pain / etiology
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Pain / genetics
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Prospective Studies
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Regression Analysis
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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Sleep Wake Disorders / etiology
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Sleep Wake Disorders / genetics
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Surveys and Questionnaires
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Vesicular Acetylcholine Transport Proteins / genetics
Substances
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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MADS Domain Proteins
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MEF2 Transcription Factors
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MEF2C protein, human
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Myogenic Regulatory Factors
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Neuropeptides
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Orexins
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Vesicular Acetylcholine Transport Proteins