Early Growth Response Gene Upregulation in Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-Associated Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). 2020

Jonathan Kerr
Department of Microbiology, Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), Colney Lane, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7UY, UK.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic multisystem disease exhibiting a variety of symptoms and affecting multiple systems. Psychological stress and virus infection are important. Virus infection may trigger the onset, and psychological stress may reactivate latent viruses, for example, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It has recently been reported that EBV induced gene 2 (EBI2) was upregulated in blood in a subset of ME/CFS patients. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the pattern of expression of early growth response (EGR) genes, important in EBV infection and which have also been found to be upregulated in blood of ME/CFS patients, paralleled that of EBI2. EGR gene upregulation was found to be closely associated with that of EBI2 in ME/CFS, providing further evidence in support of ongoing EBV reactivation in a subset of ME/CFS patients. EGR1, EGR2, and EGR3 are part of the cellular immediate early gene response and are important in EBV transcription, reactivation, and B lymphocyte transformation. EGR1 is a regulator of immune function, and is important in vascular homeostasis, psychological stress, connective tissue disease, mitochondrial function, all of which are relevant to ME/CFS. EGR2 and EGR3 are negative regulators of T lymphocytes and are important in systemic autoimmunity.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D015673 Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic A syndrome characterized by persistent or recurrent fatigue, diffuse musculoskeletal pain, sleep disturbances, and subjective cognitive impairment of 6 months duration or longer. Symptoms are not caused by ongoing exertion; are not relieved by rest; and result in a substantial reduction of previous levels of occupational, educational, social, or personal activities. Minor alterations of immune, neuroendocrine, and autonomic function may be associated with this syndrome. There is also considerable overlap between this condition and FIBROMYALGIA. (From Semin Neurol 1998;18(2):237-42; Ann Intern Med 1994 Dec 15;121(12): 953-9) Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,Encephalomyelitis, Myalgic,Infectious Mononucleosis-Like Syndrome, Chronic,Postviral Fatigue Syndrome,Chronic Fatigue Disorder,Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome,Chronic Fatigue-Fibromyalgia Syndrome,Myalgic Encephalomyelitis,Royal Free Disease,Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease,Chronic Fatigue Disorders,Chronic Fatigue Fibromyalgia Syndrome,Chronic Fatigue Syndromes,Chronic Fatigue-Fibromyalgia Syndromes,Fatigue Disorder, Chronic,Fatigue Syndrome, Postviral,Fatigue Syndromes, Chronic,Fatigue-Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Chronic,Fatigue-Fibromyalgia Syndromes, Chronic,Infectious Mononucleosis Like Syndrome, Chronic,Postviral Fatigue Syndromes,Syndrome, Postviral Fatigue
D015854 Up-Regulation A positive regulatory effect on physiological processes at the molecular, cellular, or systemic level. At the molecular level, the major regulatory sites include membrane receptors, genes (GENE EXPRESSION REGULATION), mRNAs (RNA, MESSENGER), and proteins. Receptor Up-Regulation,Upregulation,Up-Regulation (Physiology),Up Regulation
D051766 Early Growth Response Protein 1 An early growth response transcription factor and zinc finger protein that has been implicated in regulation of CELL PROLIFERATION and APOPTOSIS. EGR1 Transcription Factor,Early Growth Response Transcription Factor 1,Zinc Finger Protein 225,Znf225 Protein,Protein, Znf225,Transcription Factor, EGR1
D051767 Early Growth Response Protein 2 An early growth response transcription factor that controls the formation of the MYELIN SHEATH around peripheral AXONS by SCHWANN CELLS. Mutations in EGR2 transcription factor have been associated with HEREDITARY MOTOR AND SENSORY NEUROPATHIES such as CHARCOT-MARIE-TOOTH DISEASE. EGR2 Transcription Factor,Krox-20 Transcription Factor,Krox20 Protein,Krox 20 Transcription Factor,Transcription Factor, EGR2,Transcription Factor, Krox-20
D051776 Early Growth Response Protein 3 An early growth response transcription factor that is essential for the development of MUSCLE SPINDLES. EGR3 Transcription Factor,Early Growth Response Transcription Factor 3,Transcription Factor, EGR3
D020031 Epstein-Barr Virus Infections Infection with human herpesvirus 4 (HERPESVIRUS 4, HUMAN); which may facilitate the development of various lymphoproliferative disorders. These include BURKITT LYMPHOMA (African type), INFECTIOUS MONONUCLEOSIS, and oral hairy leukoplakia (LEUKOPLAKIA, HAIRY). EBV Infections,Epstein-Barr Virus Infection,Herpesvirus 4 Infections, Human,Human Herpes Virus 4 Infections,Human Herpesvirus 4 Infections,Infections, EBV,Infections, Epstein-Barr Virus,EBV Infection,Epstein Barr Virus Infection,Epstein Barr Virus Infections,Infection, EBV,Infection, Epstein-Barr Virus,Virus Infection, Epstein-Barr,Virus Infections, Epstein-Barr
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