Research abstract:
Background:
The transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily in humans comprises
27 cation channels with permeability to monovalent and divalent cations. These channels are widely expressed within humans on cells and tissues and have significant sensory and regulatory roles on most physiological functions. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an unexplained disorder with multiple physiological impairments.
Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to determine the role of TRPs in CFS.
Methods:
The study comprised 115 CFS patients (age=48.68 p/m 1.06 years) and 90 nonfatigued controls (age=46.48 p/m 1.22 years). CFS patients were defined according to the 1994 Center for Disease Prevention and Control criteria for CFS. A total of 240 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for 21 mammalian TRP ion channel genes (TRPA1, TRPC1, TRPC2, TRPC3, TRPC4, TRPC6, TRPC7, TRPM1, TRPM2, TRPM3, TRPM4, TRPM5, TRPM6, TRPM7, TRPM8, TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV3, TRPV4, TRPV5, and
TRPV6) were examined via the Agena Biosciences iPLEX Gold assay.
Statistical analysis was performed using the PLINK analysis software.
Results:
Thirteen SNPs were significantly associated with CFS patients compared with the controls. Nine of these SNPs were associated with TRPM3 (rs12682832; P=<0.003, rs11142508; P<0.004, rs1160742; P<0.08, rs4454352; P=<0.013, rs1328153; P=<0.013, rs3763619; P=<0.014, rs7865858; P=<0.021, rs1504401; P=<0041, rs10115622; P=<0.050), while the remainder were associated with TRPA1 (rs2383844; P=<0.040, rs4738202; P=<0.018) and TRPC4 (rs6650469; P=<0.016, rs655207; P=<0.018).
Conclusion:
The data from this pilot study suggest an association between TRP ion channels, predominantly TRPM3 and CFS. This and other TRPs identified may contribute to the etiology and pathomechanism of CFS.
Examination of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) Ion Channels in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients, by Sonya M. Marshall-Gradisnik, Peter Smith, Ekua W. Brenu, Bernd Nilius, Sandra B. Ramos and Donald R. Staines in Immunology and Immunogenetics Insights 2015:7 1-6 [May 10, 2015]
Griffith University Press release May 11, 2015
Australian Study Pinpoints Possible Gene Issues in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, by Cort Johnson on May 22, 2015
