Is fibromyalgia an autoimmune disorder?

Clauw, Daniel; Sarzi-Puttini, Piercarlo; Pellegrino, Greta; Shoenfeld, Yehuda

doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2023.103424

Cited by 15 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…FM is characterized by chronic, widespread pain, but patients may also experience fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive impairment. While the autoimmune nature of this disease is under heated debate, such findings as GPCR autoantibodies and small fiber neuropathy seem to support it [ 143 ]. FM can occur together with other chronic pain conditions or could be triggered by environmental stressors.…”

Section: Other Autoimmune Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

From Viral Infection to Autoimmune Reaction: Exploring the Link between Human Herpesvirus 6 and Autoimmune Diseases

Sokolovska,

Cistjakovs,

Matroze

et al. 2024

Microorganisms

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The complexity of autoimmunity initiation has been the subject of many studies. Both genetic and environmental factors are essential in autoimmunity development. Among others, environmental factors include infectious agents. HHV-6 is a ubiquitous human pathogen with a high global prevalence. It has several properties suggestive of its contribution to autoimmunity development. HHV-6 has a broad cell tropism, the ability to establish latency with subsequent reactivation and persistence, and a range of immunomodulation capabilities. Studies have implicated HHV-6 in a plethora of autoimmune diseases—endocrine, neurological, connective tissue, and others—with some studies even proposing possible autoimmunity induction mechanisms. HHV-6 can be frequently found in autoimmunity-affected tissues and lesions; it has been found to infect autoimmune-pathology-relevant cells and influence immune responses and signaling. This review highlights some of the most well-known autoimmune conditions to which HHV-6 has been linked, like multiple sclerosis and autoimmune thyroiditis, and summarizes the data on HHV-6 involvement in autoimmunity development.

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Section: Other Autoimmune Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

From Viral Infection to Autoimmune Reaction: Exploring the Link between Human Herpesvirus 6 and Autoimmune Diseases

Sokolovska,

Cistjakovs,

Matroze

et al. 2024

Microorganisms

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“…FM patients suffer from chronic musculoskeletal pain, mechanical hypersensitivity, high sensitivity to cold, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties. FM is a controversial issue because of the lack of specific biological and instrumental biomarkers and comorbidity with several other disorders [88]. The diagnosis of FM is challenging, because the symptoms may resemble those of other pain conditions such as Raynaud and Sjögren syndromes [89].…”

Section: Fibromyalgiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Satellite Glial Cells in Human Disease

Hanani

2024

Cells

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Satellite glial cells (SGCs) are the main type of glial cells in sensory ganglia. Animal studies have shown that these cells play essential roles in both normal and disease states. In a large number of pain models, SGCs were activated and contributed to the pain behavior. Much less is known about SGCs in humans, but there is emerging recognition that SGCs in humans are altered in a variety of clinical states. The available data show that human SGCs share some essential features with SGCs in rodents, but many differences do exist. SGCs in DRG from patients suffering from common painful diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia, may contribute to the pain phenotype. It was found that immunoglobulins G (IgG) from fibromyalgia patients can induce pain-like behavior in mice. Moreover, these IgGs bind preferentially to SGCs and activate them, which can sensitize the sensory neurons, causing nociception. In other human diseases, the evidence is not as direct as in fibromyalgia, but it has been found that an antibody from a patient with rheumatoid arthritis binds to mouse SGCs, which leads to the release of pronociceptive factors from them. Herpes zoster is another painful disease, and it appears that the zoster virus resides in SGCs, which acquire an abnormal morphology and may participate in the infection and pain generation. More work needs to be undertaken on SGCs in humans, and this review points to several promising avenues for better understanding disease mechanisms and developing effective pain therapies.

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“…Dysregulation of these interactions may contribute to the perpetuation of neuroinflammation and the chronicity of FMS symptoms. This evolving understanding of FMS has prompted a shift in perspective, with some researchers suggesting that fibromyalgia could be classified as an autoimmune disease [ 33 ]. Despite the growing evidence implicating neuroinflammation in FMS, the precise mechanisms underlying these inflammatory processes and their causal relationship to FMS pathophysiology remain areas of active investigation.…”

Section: Pathophysiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Fibromyalgia: Exploring the Necessity of Neuronavigation for Targeting New Brain Regions

Velickovic,

Radunovic

2024

JPM

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Fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis are among the most prevalent rheumatic conditions worldwide. Nonpharmacological interventions have gained scientific endorsements as the preferred initial treatments before resorting to pharmacological modalities. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is among the most widely researched neuromodulation techniques, though it has not yet been officially recommended for fibromyalgia. This review aims to summarize the current evidence supporting rTMS for treating various fibromyalgia symptoms. Recent findings: High-frequency rTMS directed at the primary motor cortex (M1) has the strongest support in the literature for reducing pain intensity, with new research examining its long-term effectiveness. Nonetheless, some individuals may not respond to M1-targeted rTMS, and symptoms beyond pain can be prominent. Ongoing research aims to improve the efficacy of rTMS by exploring new brain targets, using innovative stimulation parameters, incorporating neuronavigation, and better identifying patients likely to benefit from this treatment. Summary: Noninvasive brain stimulation with rTMS over M1 is a well-tolerated treatment that can improve chronic pain and overall quality of life in fibromyalgia patients. However, the data are highly heterogeneous, with a limited level of evidence, posing a significant challenge to the inclusion of rTMS in official treatment guidelines. Research is ongoing to enhance its effectiveness, with future perspectives exploring its impact by targeting additional areas of the brain such as the medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and inferior parietal lobe, as well as selecting the right patients who could benefit from this treatment.

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Is fibromyalgia an autoimmune disorder?

Cited by 15 publications

References 48 publications

From Viral Infection to Autoimmune Reaction: Exploring the Link between Human Herpesvirus 6 and Autoimmune Diseases

From Viral Infection to Autoimmune Reaction: Exploring the Link between Human Herpesvirus 6 and Autoimmune Diseases

Satellite Glial Cells in Human Disease

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Fibromyalgia: Exploring the Necessity of Neuronavigation for Targeting New Brain Regions

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