Research Hints Fibromyalgia May Be An Autoimmune Disease

[jesse_the_k]

Much thanks to forests_of_fire for linking me to this study. Twenty-three researchers in London, Liverpool and Sweden have replicated inducing FM symptoms in mice by transplanting immune cells from human fibro folk. Fibro may be an autoimmune disease (which could mean more treatment options and less gaslighting).

Press Release from Karolinska: https://news.ki.se/autoantibodies-a-possible-contributor-to-fibromyalgia

Details in the open access, peer-reviewed "Journal of Clinical Investigation"
https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI144201

Full text

Passive transfer of fibromyalgia symptoms from patients to mice

Andreas Goebel, Emerson Krock, Clive Gentry, Mathilde R. Israel, Alexandra Jurczak, Carlos Morado Urbina, Katalin Sandor, Nisha Vastani, Margot Maurer, Ulku Cuhadar, Serena Sensi, Yuki Nomura, Joana Menezes, Azar Baharpoor, Louisa Brieskorn, Angelica Sandström, Jeanette Tour, Diana Kadetoff, Lisbet Haglund, Eva Kosek, Stuart Bevan, Camilla I. Svensson, David A. Andersson

Abstract:

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is characterized by widespread pain and tenderness, and patients typically experience fatigue and emotional distress. The etiology and pathophysiology of fibromyalgia are not fully explained and there are no effective drug treatments. Here we show that IgG from FMS patients produced sensory hypersensitivity by sensitizing nociceptive neurons. Mice treated with IgG from FMS patients displayed increased sensitivity to noxious mechanical and cold stimulation, and nociceptive fibers in skin-nerve preparations from mice treated with FMS IgG displayed an increased responsiveness to cold and mechanical stimulation. These mice also displayed reduced locomotor activity, reduced paw grip strength, and a loss of intraepidermal innervation. In contrast, transfer of IgG-depleted serum from FMS patients or IgG from healthy control subjects had no effect. Patient IgG did not activate naive sensory neurons directly. IgG from FMS patients labeled satellite glial cells and neurons in vivo and in vitro, as well as myelinated fiber tracts and a small number of macrophages and endothelial cells in mouse dorsal root ganglia (DRG), but no cells in the spinal cord. Furthermore, FMS IgG bound to human DRG. Our results demonstrate that IgG from FMS patients produces painful sensory hypersensitivities by sensitizing peripheral nociceptive afferents and suggest that therapies reducing patient IgG titers may be effective for fibromyalgia.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 44 years ago. I was able to manage symptoms through balancing meds and activity. When I got the bronchitis-that-never-ended 11 years later, I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome aka myalgic encephalomyelitis and had to quit working. Along the way, I’ve heard "you’re a hypochondriac, an hysteric, a somatizer*, and (many times) "get out of my waiting room!"

Thanks to the wonders of the internet, I’ve met enough people in my situation to know that the medical establishment just hasn’t caught up yet. I hope that this new research encourages more investigation of fibro as an autoimmune disease. Coupled with examining why long COVID (another post-viral fatigue syndrome) happens, I may actually know why I’m impaired before I pass from this earth.

* autocarrot kept changing that to womanizer

Comments

[sheafrotherdon]

Oh, this would be such a welcome advance in understanding this for so many! I hope the research gains more funding and speeds along. ♥

[jesse_the_k]

<3 We hope!

[sonia]

Wow! More treatment options and less gaslighting would be a big step up. I'm sorry you went through all that abuse at the hands of medical practitioners. :-(

[jesse_the_k]

Thanks for the sympathy. That's the drawback of being on the leading edge of a diagnosis.

[vass]

This is very promising. Maybe in time there'll be a blood test so I can find out whether or not I'm a mouse.

Squeeeeek.

[jesse_the_k]

Mice can save the day, too

[peachpai]

That's amazing news! I really hope it helps the medical field wake the fuck up.

[jesse_the_k]

From your mouth to Zoe's gun.

[j00j]

I admit I thought we were more certain about this already based on how my local folks with fibro talk about it/the fact that it behaves like other autoimmune bullshit for them (flares related to stress, weather, etc), but of course science needs to prove that out. I hope this does result in better options and understanding.

[jesse_the_k]

Maybe this is an east coast/midwest thing.

I've only interacted with one rheumatologist, and they wanted nothing to do with me.

Fingers crossed for science heroes!

[tarasacon]

There’s the understanding of people who have it, and to many of them it’s obvious it’s an immune system dysfunction. (At least it’s been blatantly so to me.)

There’s what science has proven - for a few years now there’s been clear physiological evidence that fibromyalgia is REAL and not a form of hypochondria/malingering.

And there’s the common understanding of doctors, including some rheumatologists, who still hold the common public perception that it’s some sort of ‘fake’ disease.

(The first rheumatologist I saw diagnosed my fibromyalgia but offered no treatment. I had to fight my GP for a referral to get a second opinion. Fortunately that rheumatologist was much better, so at least for a while I was getting effective pain management.)

[jesse_the_k]

The cruelty of having to muster our human-interaction superpowers in order to find a doctor who will help us in our missile silos filled with fire.

[tarasacon]

Exactly.

(I get extra angry… well there’s a lot about the process/system that is infuriating and cruel. You don’t need the potential trigger of my specifics.)

[jesse_the_k]

Just this week (in therapy) I enumerated six times docs earned my deep distress—I feel you.

[oracne]

This is terrifically exciting news.

[jesse_the_k]

Yes indeedy!

[starshipfox]

I saw this, it's so interesting! I hope the medical establishment learns something eventually.

I've had awful experiences surrounding my fibro diagnosis too -- I'm sorry you've experienced that too.

I'm SO grateful for the Internet

[jesse_the_k]

...my first use was CFS-L, a mailing list with thousands of subscribers worldwide.

...reaching all the way to your good wishes.

("Reduced paw grip strength" is definitely my situation.)