**Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia Syndrome: Potential Biomarkers and Proteomic Approach**

Federica Ciregia1, Camillo Giacomelli2, Laura Giusti1, Antonio Lucacchini1 and Laura Bazzichi2 *1Department of Psychiatry, Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Biotechnology,* 

*2Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa Italy* 

## **1. Introduction**

148 New Insights into Fibromyalgia

[38] Madenci E, Herken H, Keven S, Yagiz E, Gursoy S. Alexthyma in patents wth

In 1990 the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) established criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia (Wolfe et al., 1990), and more recently new criteria have been proposed (Wolfe et al., 2010, 2011). However, the absence of anatomic pathological lesions and of biohumoral abnormalities, demonstrated with classical instrumental methods, has led to considerable difficulties in diagnosis.

Until now, many attempts have been made to search for biomarkers in fibromyalgia, but at present no specific markers have been found (Bazzichi et al., 2010). The problem lies in the presence of too many data, often controversial, rather than in a lack of data.

We will discuss methods that are state of the art in searching for biomarkers in fibromyalgia. Furthermore, we will focus on the contribution that proteomics can give in the diagnosis of the disease on the basis of the study we carried out on human whole saliva of patients affected by fibromyalgia.

## **2. Genetic markers**

The presence of fibromyalgia in family clusters and many studies support the idea that genetic factors may predispose to fibromyalgia in combination with environmental triggers such as trauma, infections or emotional stress. The principal gene polymorphisms supposed to be a risk factor for fibromyalgia are those implicated in mood disorders but results are often controversial.

These candidate genes include the serotonin transporter (5-HTT), the serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptor, catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and the dopamine receptor.

Offenbaecher and colleagues (Offenbaecher et al., 1999) were the first to analyze the genotypes of the serotonin transporter promoter locus (5HTTLPR) in patients with fibromyalgia. They found that the S/S genotype of 5-HTT occurred more frequently in fibromyalgia patients than in healthy controls. This association is interesting considering that 5-HTT is involved in many conditions that are either risk factors for —or frequent concomitants to— fibromyalgia, such as anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Psychosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder (Maletic & Raison, 2009). Cohen and collaborators subsequently confirmed this association between fibromyalgia and 5-HTTLPR polymorphism (Cohen et al., 2002).

However, these data were not found in all studies. Recently, Lee and collaborators (Lee et al., 2010) conducted a meta-analysis, and from their results no association was found between 5-HTTLPR and fibromyalgia susceptibility. Potvin et al. found no evidence of a relationship between 5-HTTLPR and fibromyalgia-related psychiatric symptoms (Potvin et al., 2010). Thus, their results are inconsistent with previous reports from Offenbaecher and Cohen but in agreement with those of Gürsoy who concluded that neither 5-HTT nor its polymorphism is associated with fibromyalgia (Gürsoy, 2002).

5-HT2A is also a candidate for involvement in fibromyalgia. Bondy et al., investigated the T102C polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene and found a significantly different genotype distribution in fibromyalgia patients who had a decrease in T/T and an increase in both T/C and C/C genotypes as compared with the control population (Bondy et al., 1999). In contrast, the pain score was significantly higher for patients with the T/T genotype. It was suggested that the T102 allele might be involved in the complex circuits of nociception. Lee and collaborators using meta-analysis, provided evidence of an association of the 5- HT2A receptor with fibromyalgia susceptibility (Lee et al., 2010). On the contrary, Gürsoy, after studying T102C polymorphism in Turkish patients, concluded that it is not associated with the etiology of fibromyalgia (Gürsoy et al., 2001). Similar results were described by Matsuda et al. in the Brazilian population (Matsuda et al., 2010), and by Tander in a population of eighty patients (Tander et al., 2008).

Another area of investigation is the COMT gene. This gene has long been implicated to be involved in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, migraine, and Parkinson's disease. In 2003, Zubieta et al. showed a positive relationship between the COMT gene polymorphism and the experience of pain (Zubieta et al., 2003). Their study focused on the val158met polymorphism, a single nucleotide polymorphism in codon 158 of the COMT gene, which substitutes valine for methionine and resulting in reduced enzyme activity. Individual homozygous for the met158 allele of this polymorphism showed a diminished mu-opioid system response to pain, compared with heterozygotes. Opposite effects on pain and negative effects have been found in val158 homozygotes. The conclusion was that COMT val158met polymorphism influences the human experience of pain and may underlie interindividual differences in the adaptation and responses to pain and other stressful stimuli (Zubieta et al., 2003). On the other hand, an extensive study on the association between this polymorphism and chronic widespread pain concluded that COMT pain sensitivity haplotypes do not play a role in disease susceptibility. The authors proposed that the genetics of chronic widespread pain may differ from that of other pain syndromes (Nicholl et al., 2010).

Cohen et al. observed an association between fibromyalgia and this polymorphism. Moreover, they found that unaffected relatives of fibromyalgia patients had a reduced percentage of the COMT met allele (Cohen et al., 2009). They suggested that this reduced frequency acts as a 'protective' allele in this group and prevents the development of clinical fibromyalgia (Cohen et al., 2009).

Gürsoy and collaborators assessed the significance of COMT polymorphism in fibromyalgia. There were three polymorphisms of the COMT gene: LL, LH, and HH. The analysis of COMT polymorphism was performed using a polymerase chain reaction. The LL and LH genotypes together were more highly represented in patients than in controls. In addition, HH genotypes in patients were significantly lower than in the control group (Gürsoy et al., 2003). It was concluded that COMT polymorphism is of potential pharmacological importance concerning individual differences in the metabolism of catechol drugs. In addition, it may also be involved in the pathogenesis and treatment of fibromyalgia through adrenergic mechanisms as well as in the genetic predisposition to fibromyalgia (Gürsoy et al., 2003). Matsuda et al. confirmed these results in the Brazilian population (Matsuda et al., 2010) showing that the LL genotype was more frequently found among fibromyalgia patients.

On the other hand, Tander and subsequently Lee didn't find any associations between the COMT gene and fibromyalgia (Lee et al., 2010; Tander et al., 2008).

Finally, some studies have established a connection between fibromyalgia and the dopaminergic system.

Dopaminergic neurotransmission was found to be altered in fibromyalgia patients by Malt and colleagues. They suggested an increased sensitivity or density of dopamine D2 receptors in fibromyalgia patients (Malt et al., 2003). Buskila and collaborators demonstrated an association between fibromyalgia and the 7-repeat allele in exon III of the D4 receptor gene, specifically that the frequency of this polymorphism was significantly lower in people with fibromyalgia (Buskila et al., 2004). More recently, Treister et al. found an association between the dopamine transporter gene (DAT-1) polymorphism and cold pain tolerance. Their results, together with the known function of the investigated candidate gene polymorphisms, suggest that low dopaminergic activity can be associated with high pain sensitivity (Treister et al., 2009). However, Ablin and co-workers, investigating an association between fibromyalgia and DAT1, found no significant association between fibromyalgia and the genetic marker (Ablin et al., 2009).


All these findings are summarised in Table 1.

150 New Insights into Fibromyalgia

Cohen and collaborators subsequently confirmed this association between fibromyalgia and

However, these data were not found in all studies. Recently, Lee and collaborators (Lee et al., 2010) conducted a meta-analysis, and from their results no association was found between 5-HTTLPR and fibromyalgia susceptibility. Potvin et al. found no evidence of a relationship between 5-HTTLPR and fibromyalgia-related psychiatric symptoms (Potvin et al., 2010). Thus, their results are inconsistent with previous reports from Offenbaecher and Cohen but in agreement with those of Gürsoy who concluded that neither 5-HTT nor its

5-HT2A is also a candidate for involvement in fibromyalgia. Bondy et al., investigated the T102C polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene and found a significantly different genotype distribution in fibromyalgia patients who had a decrease in T/T and an increase in both T/C and C/C genotypes as compared with the control population (Bondy et al., 1999). In contrast, the pain score was significantly higher for patients with the T/T genotype. It was suggested that the T102 allele might be involved in the complex circuits of nociception. Lee and collaborators using meta-analysis, provided evidence of an association of the 5- HT2A receptor with fibromyalgia susceptibility (Lee et al., 2010). On the contrary, Gürsoy, after studying T102C polymorphism in Turkish patients, concluded that it is not associated with the etiology of fibromyalgia (Gürsoy et al., 2001). Similar results were described by Matsuda et al. in the Brazilian population (Matsuda et al., 2010), and by Tander in a

Another area of investigation is the COMT gene. This gene has long been implicated to be involved in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, migraine, and Parkinson's disease. In 2003, Zubieta et al. showed a positive relationship between the COMT gene polymorphism and the experience of pain (Zubieta et al., 2003). Their study focused on the val158met polymorphism, a single nucleotide polymorphism in codon 158 of the COMT gene, which substitutes valine for methionine and resulting in reduced enzyme activity. Individual homozygous for the met158 allele of this polymorphism showed a diminished mu-opioid system response to pain, compared with heterozygotes. Opposite effects on pain and negative effects have been found in val158 homozygotes. The conclusion was that COMT val158met polymorphism influences the human experience of pain and may underlie interindividual differences in the adaptation and responses to pain and other stressful stimuli (Zubieta et al., 2003). On the other hand, an extensive study on the association between this polymorphism and chronic widespread pain concluded that COMT pain sensitivity haplotypes do not play a role in disease susceptibility. The authors proposed that the genetics of chronic widespread pain may differ

Cohen et al. observed an association between fibromyalgia and this polymorphism. Moreover, they found that unaffected relatives of fibromyalgia patients had a reduced percentage of the COMT met allele (Cohen et al., 2009). They suggested that this reduced frequency acts as a 'protective' allele in this group and prevents the development of clinical

Gürsoy and collaborators assessed the significance of COMT polymorphism in fibromyalgia. There were three polymorphisms of the COMT gene: LL, LH, and HH. The analysis of COMT polymorphism was performed using a polymerase chain reaction. The LL and LH genotypes together were more highly represented in patients than in controls. In

5-HTTLPR polymorphism (Cohen et al., 2002).

population of eighty patients (Tander et al., 2008).

from that of other pain syndromes (Nicholl et al., 2010).

fibromyalgia (Cohen et al., 2009).

polymorphism is associated with fibromyalgia (Gürsoy, 2002).


Table 1. Genetics in fibromyalgia.

In conclusion, all these genetic studies support a role for the polymorphism of genes of the serotoninergic, catecholaminergic and dopaminergic systems in the etiopathogenesis of fibromyalgia.

These polymorphism are often associated with psychiatric disorders, thereby they could be related to psychiatric comorbidities rather than to sole fibromyalgia. Furthermore, genetic results are often controversial, and no specific candidate gene has been closely connected with fibromyalgia.

## **3. Serologic markers**

152 New Insights into Fibromyalgia

receptor with fibromyalgia susceptibility.

polymorphism in fibromyalgia. The LL and LH genotypes together were more highly represented in patients than controls. In addition, HH genotypes in patients were significantly lower than in the control group.

Lee et al. 2010 They found an association of the 5-HT2A

Gürsoy et al. 2003 **COMT** Authors assessed the significance of COMT

Zubieta et al. 2003 COMT val158met polymorphism influences

Matsuda et al. 2010 The L/L genotype was more frequent among

Nicholl et al. 2010 No evidence of association between the COMT

Malt et al. 2003 **D2 receptor** The authors suggested an increased sensitivity

Buskila et al. 2004 **D4 receptor** They have demonstrated an association

Treister et al. 2009 **DAT1** A significant association was found between

Cohen et al. 2009 They found an association between

the experience of pain.

fibromyalgia patients.

widespread pain.

fibromyalgia patients

DAT-1 polymorphism.

fibromyalgia.

fibromyalgia and the val158met polymorphism of COMT gene.

pain sensitivity haplotypes and chronic

or density of dopamine D2 receptors in

between fibromyalgia and the 7 repeat allele in exon III of the D4 receptor gene. Specifically, the frequency of this polymorphism was significantly lower in patients with

the quantitative measure of cold tolerance and

Gürsoy et al. 2001 no association Tander et al. 2008 no association Matsuda et al. 2010 no association

Tander et al. 2008 no association Lee et al. 2010 no association

Ablin et al. 2009 no association

Table 1. Genetics in fibromyalgia.

There is a great interest in using a simple blood test to diagnose fibromyalgia. Thus, many attempts have been carried out in order to identify specific serologic markers. These results, as well as those of genetic studies, are often conflicting and, at present, no clinical test has been validated yet.

## **3.1 Autoantibodies**

Autoimmunity has a central role in pathogenesis of many rheumatic diseases while fibromyalgia is generally considered to be a non-autoimmune disease. Nevertheless, a broad spectrum of autoantibodies has been widely investigated in the sera from patients. The studies have often generated controversial data, and the proposed antibodies don't have diagnostic relevance yet.

The association between the antipolymer antibody (APA) and fibromyalgia was evaluated because APAs were found in the sera of women with silicone breast implants presenting fibromyalgia-like symptoms (Wolfe, 1999). In addition, Wilson et al. found a higher prevalence of APAs (67%) in fibromyalgia patients in the USA population (Wilson et al., 1999). Furthermore, a Danish study showed that fibromyalgia patients tended to have slightly higher APA levels than controls when adjusted for symptom severity (Jensen et al., 2004). However, these results were not confirmed in the Italian population by Bazzichi and colleagues (Bazzichi et al., 2007). Instead, they found a lower percentage of APA seropositivity (23%) in fibromyalgia patients. A correlation between the APA and pain and fatigue severity in fibromyalgia was also proposed by Sarzi-Puttini et al. because the APA test did not distinguish this group from the controls, but instead a positive APA test prevalence increased with less severe pain or fatigue (Sarzi-Puttini et al., 2008). A more recent study evaluated the APA concentration in the serum of patients with fibromyalgia, patients with tension-type headache, and healthy controls. APAs were detected in only 17.6% of fibromyalgia patients confirming the lack of diagnostic relevance of the APA (Iannuccelli et al., 2010).

Two other autoantibodies, the anti-68/48 kDa and the anti-45 kDa, have been described as possible markers for certain clinical subsets of primary fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, and for secondary fibromyalgia/psychiatric disorders, respectively (Nishikai et al., 2001).

Antiserotonin, antiganglioside and antiphospholipid antibodies have been shown to be higher in fibromyalgia patients as well as in those with chronic fatigue syndrome, supporting the concept that fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome may belong to the same clinical entity and may manifest themselves as 'psycho-neuro-endocrinological autoimmune diseases' (Klein & Berg, 1995). A different group, evaluating the prevalence and potential diagnostic relevance of antiserotonin, antithromboplastin and antiganglioside in patients with fibromyalgia, confirmed an elevated prevalence of antibodies against serotonin and thromboplastin, but they concluded that the measurement of these antibodies had no diagnostic relevance (Werle et al., 2001).

Another important research field is thyroid autoimmunity. Bazzichi and collaborators found that autoimmune thyroiditis is present in an elevated percentage of fibromyalgia patients. In particular, 41% of these patients had at least one thyroid antibody, a percentage that was twice the value of the control group's (Bazzichi et al., 2007). More recently, they confirmed this significant association between thyroid autoimmunity and fibromyalgia (Bazzichi et al., 2010). Pamuk & Cakir also found a higher frequency of thyroid autoimmunity in fibromyalgia patients than in the control group, while the frequency was similar between fibromyalgia patients and the rheumatoid arthritis group (Pamuk & Cakir, 2007). Essentially, the association between rheumatic and thyroid disorders have long been known, the most common being the associations with rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Therefore, at present, the proposed antibodies have not been validated yet as being strong, useful diagnostic biomarkers for fibromyalgia and further studies are necessary to reach a research end point.

#### **3.2 Neuropeptides**

Neuropeptide Y is a neurotransmitter released mainly by sympathetic neurons in the autonomic nervous system, and it has a complex role in mediating analgesia and hyperalgesia. Thus, Neuropeptide Y has been shown, to both reduce and cause pain. Crofford and colleagues were the first to measure plasma Neuropeptide Y levels in fibromyalgia patients and they found that it was significantly lower in fibromyalgia patients than in normal subjects (Crofford et al., 1994). These results are inconsistent with subsequent findings from Anderberg who found significantly elevated plasma Neuropeptide Y levels in fibromyalgia patients compared with the healthy subjects (Anderberg et al, 1999). Furthermore, serum Neuropeptide Y levels have been shown to be significantly higher in fibromyalgia subjects, compared with healthy controls, by two different groups (Di Franco et al., 2009; Iannuccelli et al., 2010).

Substance P is another neuropeptide extensively studied in fibromyalgia patients. Substance P is released in the cerebral spinal fluid when axons are stimulated. An increase in substance P levels in the cerebral spinal fluid can be related to an increase of pain neurotransmitters in the spinal cord. Two studies from two different groups have demonstrated significantly elevated substance P levels in cerebral spinal fluid of fibromyalgia patients (Russell et al., 1994; Vaerøy et al., 1988) but levels of substance P determined in cerebral spinal fluid of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome were within normal range (Evengard et al., 1998). It was proposed that substance P in mice produces disturbances in sleep (Andersen et al., 2006). Subsequently, it is likely that the high levels of substance P found in fibromyalgia patients may be one of the causes of sleep dysfunction.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family, which also includes the nerve growth factor. BDNF has a wide range of biological activities and is produced by different immune and structural cells (Iughetti et al., 2011). BDNF seems to have a role in Major Depressive Disorder, schizophrenia, and eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia nervosa, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, and epileptic and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (Iughetti et al., 2011). In addition, BDNF is a mediator of pain in the peripheral nerve system, and some findings have also suggested an involvement of BDNF in pain syndrome (Laske et al., 2006). On the basis of this evidence, Laske and collaborators were the first to evaluate BDNF serum concentrations in fibromyalgia patients, and they found that levels significantly increased compared with healthy controls (Laske et al., 2006). Two different groups found significantly higher levels of BDNF in plasma and in the cerebral spinal fluid of fibromyalgia patients than in controls, indicating an involvement of BDNF in the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia (Haas et al., 2010; Sarchielli et al., 2007). The excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate is known to function in pain neuropathways, and it is suspected to play a role in the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia. This hypothesis is supported by different studies. Harris and collaborators found a correlation between changing levels of insular glutamate and changes in pain in patients with fibromyalgia using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and functional magnetic resonance imaging (Harris et al., 2008). Subsequently, they extended these findings by investigating the relationship between insular glutamate and combined glutamate/glutamine in individuals with fibromyalgia and pain free controls (Harris et al., 2009). They concluded that enhanced glutamatergic neurotransmission within the posterior insula is a potential pathologic factor in fibromyalgia. In a pilot study, Fayed and colleagues compared three different magnetic resonance imaging examination methods for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia: magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion-weighted imaging, and diffusion-tensor imaging. One of the principal findings was the increase in the combined glutamate+glutamine levels, and glutamate+glutamine/creatine ratio, in the posterior gyrus in patients with fibromyalgia compared with controls (Fayed et al., 2010). Another group used magnetic resonance spectroscopy techniques to study brain metabolites in the amygdala, thalami, and prefrontal cortex of these women. Patients with fibromyalgia showed higher levels of glutamate compounds in the right amygdala than did healthy controls, and pain was related to increased glutamate levels in the left thalamus (Valdés et al., 2010). These findings have implications for future therapies directed against glutamate receptors, but further studies are desirable to confirm whether these findings are observed in other functional pain syndromes.

## **3.3 Inflammation**

154 New Insights into Fibromyalgia

and potential diagnostic relevance of antiserotonin, antithromboplastin and antiganglioside in patients with fibromyalgia, confirmed an elevated prevalence of antibodies against serotonin and thromboplastin, but they concluded that the measurement of these antibodies

Another important research field is thyroid autoimmunity. Bazzichi and collaborators found that autoimmune thyroiditis is present in an elevated percentage of fibromyalgia patients. In particular, 41% of these patients had at least one thyroid antibody, a percentage that was twice the value of the control group's (Bazzichi et al., 2007). More recently, they confirmed this significant association between thyroid autoimmunity and fibromyalgia (Bazzichi et al., 2010). Pamuk & Cakir also found a higher frequency of thyroid autoimmunity in fibromyalgia patients than in the control group, while the frequency was similar between fibromyalgia patients and the rheumatoid arthritis group (Pamuk & Cakir, 2007). Essentially, the association between rheumatic and thyroid disorders have long been known, the most common being the associations with rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's

Therefore, at present, the proposed antibodies have not been validated yet as being strong, useful diagnostic biomarkers for fibromyalgia and further studies are necessary to reach a

Neuropeptide Y is a neurotransmitter released mainly by sympathetic neurons in the autonomic nervous system, and it has a complex role in mediating analgesia and hyperalgesia. Thus, Neuropeptide Y has been shown, to both reduce and cause pain. Crofford and colleagues were the first to measure plasma Neuropeptide Y levels in fibromyalgia patients and they found that it was significantly lower in fibromyalgia patients than in normal subjects (Crofford et al., 1994). These results are inconsistent with subsequent findings from Anderberg who found significantly elevated plasma Neuropeptide Y levels in fibromyalgia patients compared with the healthy subjects (Anderberg et al, 1999). Furthermore, serum Neuropeptide Y levels have been shown to be significantly higher in fibromyalgia subjects, compared with healthy controls, by two different groups (Di Franco

Substance P is another neuropeptide extensively studied in fibromyalgia patients. Substance P is released in the cerebral spinal fluid when axons are stimulated. An increase in substance P levels in the cerebral spinal fluid can be related to an increase of pain neurotransmitters in the spinal cord. Two studies from two different groups have demonstrated significantly elevated substance P levels in cerebral spinal fluid of fibromyalgia patients (Russell et al., 1994; Vaerøy et al., 1988) but levels of substance P determined in cerebral spinal fluid of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome were within normal range (Evengard et al., 1998). It was proposed that substance P in mice produces disturbances in sleep (Andersen et al., 2006). Subsequently, it is likely that the high levels of substance P found in fibromyalgia

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family, which also includes the nerve growth factor. BDNF has a wide range of biological activities and is produced by different immune and structural cells (Iughetti et al., 2011). BDNF seems to have a role in Major Depressive Disorder, schizophrenia, and eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia nervosa, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, and epileptic and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (Iughetti et al., 2011). In addition, BDNF is a mediator of

had no diagnostic relevance (Werle et al., 2001).

syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

research end point.

**3.2 Neuropeptides** 

et al., 2009; Iannuccelli et al., 2010).

patients may be one of the causes of sleep dysfunction.

Since fibromyalgia is characterised by widespread pain, and the origin of pain is inflammation, many studies have focused on the inflammatory hypothesis for fibromyalgia, although fibromyalgia is generally regarded as a non-inflammatory disease. Special attention has been paid on circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines as possible markers in fibromyalgia patients.

A connection between the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia and cytokines was suspected when in 1988, after being treated with IL-2 or IFN-α, patients with malignant melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and hairy cell leukaemia showed fibromyalgia-like symptoms such as myalgias, arthralgias, cognitive impairment, and painful tender points (Wallace et al., 1988, as cited in Di Franco et al., 2010).

Therefore, cytokines have been suggested to be involved in the fibromyalgia syndrome, but results often appear to be controversial, especially because increases, reductions, and no significant changes have been reported. Levels of IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, were studied by four different groups with different findings. Wallace and Amel Kashipaz didn't find alterations in IL-10 levels, while Bazzichi and co-workers found an increase in plasma levels, and Uçeyler found a reduction (Amel Kashipaz et al., 2003; Bazzichi et al., 2007; Uçeyler et al., 2006; Wallace et al., 2001).

IL-8, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, has been consistently demonstrated to be increased in patients with fibromyalgia. Bearing in mind that IL-8 promotes sympathetic pain, it may play an important role in the occurrence of pain in fibromyalgia. If validated in further studies, the IL-8 expression pattern might help in the diagnosis of fibromyalgia and in the appropriate treatment approach.

Table 2 summarises the main findings for pro- and anti- inflammatory cytokines in fibromyalgia patients.


Table 2. Cytokines in Fibromyalgia.

### **4. Proteomic markers**

156 New Insights into Fibromyalgia

IL-8, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, has been consistently demonstrated to be increased in patients with fibromyalgia. Bearing in mind that IL-8 promotes sympathetic pain, it may play an important role in the occurrence of pain in fibromyalgia. If validated in further studies, the IL-8 expression pattern might help in the diagnosis of fibromyalgia and in the

Table 2 summarises the main findings for pro- and anti- inflammatory cytokines in

**Reference n° of subjects Samples Cytokines Findings in** 

mRNA from blood

serum IL-1β, IL-2, IL-10,

IL-1Ra

serum IL-I, sIL-2R, IL-6, IL-8

cells TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-6, IL-10

plasma IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α,

serum IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α,

serum IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R), IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-6,

IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, TGF-β1

serum IL-8 six months

serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 ↑ IL-8

**patients** 

↑ IL-8, IL-1Ra

↑ IL-8, sIL-2R

no differences

↓ IL-4, IL-10

↑ IL-8, IL-10,

↑ IL-8, TNF-α

after therapy, IL-8 was still significantly higher

TNF-α

appropriate treatment approach.

56

81

fibromyalgia 36 controls

fibromyalgia 32 controls

22 chronic fatigue syndrome / fibromyalgia 19 controls

40 chronic fatigue syndrome (26 fibromyalgia) 40 controls

fibromyalgia 45 controls

fibromyalgia 80 controls

fibromyalgia 80 controls

fibromyalgia 29 controls

80

20

20

fibromyalgia patients.

Wallace et al.,

Gür et al., 2002

et al., 2003

2006

2007

Amel Kashipaz

Uçeyler et al.,

Bazzichi et al.,

Wang et al., 2008

Wang et al., 2009

Kim et al., 2010 27

Table 2. Cytokines in Fibromyalgia.

2001

In the last few years, it has become widely recognized that the genome represents only the first layer of complexity. Biological functions rely on a dynamic population of proteins, and the characterisation of the proteins can reveal posttranslational modifications (e.g., phosphorylation, glycosylation, and methylation), and give insight into protein-protein interactions and functions. For these reasons, there is an increasing interest in the field of proteomics wich is the identification of proteins contained in biological samples such as body fluids and tissue extracts.

In 2005 Baraniuk and collaborators analyzed the cerebral spinal fluid of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome by quadrupole-time-of flight mass spectrometry, compared chronic fatigue syndrome with Persian Gulf War Illness and fibromyalgia, and concluded that the three proteomes overlapped (Baraniuk et al., 2005). Recently, we carried out a study on human whole saliva of patients affected by fibromyalgia. The aim was to identify the protein content of whole saliva and to determine the quantitative or qualitative differences between fibromyalgia patients and healthy subjects. We expected to find multiple biomarkers rather than a single one because a panel of biomarkers may correlate more reliably with fibromyalgia than a single protein (Bazzichi et al., 2009).

In this work we used two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) to obtain the whole saliva protein map of fibromyalgia patients. Figure 1 shows the typical protein pattern obtained from a healthy control subject (figure 1 A) and a fibromyalgia patient (figure 1 B).

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight/ time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS) was used to identify proteins that we found differentially expressed from two analysed groups. In table 3, we report the most interesting proteins which emerged from the data analysis.

Fig. 1. Representative 2-DE gel map of salivary proteins. Control (A) and a fibromyalgia patient (B).


Table 3. Protein identification of differentially expressed proteins in whole saliva of fibromyalgia patients by MS/MS

Figure 2 shows the enlarged images of these proteins, histograms show the percentage volumes of the proteins and each bar represents the mean±SD of the mean of each spot. Significant differences from control whole saliva are based on Mann-Whitney test; (\*p<0.05, \*\*p<0.01, \*\*\*p<0.001).

Fig. 2. Enlarged images of the 2-DE gels highlighting some differentially expressed proteins for two representative gels. White: controls, Black: fibromyalgia.

**253** P37837 transaldolase 38 6.3 181 42 <0.0001

**405** P62937 cyclophilin A 18 7.7 242 40 0.05

**407** P62937 cyclophilin A 18 7.7 450 58 0.0157

**452** P05109 calgranulin A 11 6.5 313 47 0.0036

**455** P05109 calgranulin A 11 6.5 187 37 0.0002

**474** P80511 calgranulin C 11 5.8 68 7 0.001

Figure 2 shows the enlarged images of these proteins, histograms show the percentage volumes of the proteins and each bar represents the mean±SD of the mean of each spot. Significant differences from control whole saliva are based on Mann-Whitney test; (\*p<0.05,

**Calgranulin A** 

**Calgranulin A** 

**455 452 <sup>0</sup>**

\*\*\* \*\*

**326 326**

**P=0.0011** 

Fig. 2. Enlarged images of the 2-DE gels highlighting some differentially expressed proteins

\*\*

**P=0.0002 P=0.0036**

**452**

**455**

**1 2 3**

**0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75**

**%Vol (M±SD)**

for two representative gels. White: controls, Black: fibromyalgia.

**%Vol (M±SD)**

**452**

**Calgranulin C**

**Calgranulin C**

**0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2**

**%Vol (M±SD)**

**474 474**

\*\*

**P=0.001**

**Phosphoglycerate mutase 1**

**455**

Table 3. Protein identification of differentially expressed proteins in whole saliva of

**KDa pI score coverage** 

mutase 1 29 6.7 501 44 0.0011

**(%) p-value** 

**Spot n°** 

**Accession** 

fibromyalgia patients by MS/MS

**Cyclophilin A**

**405 407 405 407**

**P=0.05 P=0.016**

\*

**Transaldolase**

**405 407 0.0**

\*

**0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4**

**%Vol (M±SD)**

**253 253**

\*\*\*

**P<0.0001** 

\*\*p<0.01, \*\*\*p<0.001).

**0.1 0.2 0.3**

**%Vol (M±SD)**

**<sup>326</sup>**P18669 phosphoglycerate

**number Protein name MW** 

Cyclophilin A resulted over-expressed in fibromyalgia patients in comparison with healthy subjects. Cyclophilin A is a ubiquitously distributed protein belonging to the immunophilin family that can be secreted by cells in response to inflammatory stimuli (Arora et al., 2005). Secreted Cyclophilin A is a potent chemo attractant for monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils and T cells in vitro. Satoh K and co-workers showed that Cyclophilin A is secreted from smooth muscle cells and macrophages also in response to oxidative stress (Satoh et al., 2008).

Other proteins found to be over expressed in fibromyalgia were calgranulins, belonging to the S100 multigene family implicated in a variety of intracellular activities such as cell proliferation and differentiation, cytoskeletal interactions, rearrangement and structural organization of membranes, intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, cell migration, inflammation, and protection from oxidative cell damage (Yang et al., 2001). These proteins have already been found in autoinflammatory rheumatic diseases such as Sjögren Syndrome, Scleroderma, and Rheumatoid Arthritis (De Seny et al., 2008; Giusti et al., 2007a, 2007b, 2010). Considering that fibromyalgia is defined as a non-inflammatory disease, we suggested that the over-expression of calgranulins might be related to a sub-inflammatory process, as suggested by the cytokine alterations.

The main finding of our work was the significant over-expression of transaldolase and phosphoglycerate mutase 1 in fibromyalgia patients with respect to controls. The reliability of these potential biomarkers was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curves (figure 3). The sensitivity and the specificity of the transaldolase and phosphoglycerate mutase 1 were 77.3 and 84.6% and 95.5 and 50%, respectively.

Fig. 3. ROC curve of transaldolase and phosphoglycerate mutase 1.

Furthermore, we validated the results by western blot analysis (figure 4). The statistical analysis of the optical density of specific detected bands confirmed the significant upregulation of two enzymes in fibromyalgia patients with respect to controls.

Transaldolase is an enzyme of the non-oxidative phase of the pentose phosphate pathway, which is involved in the generation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). There is a lot of evidence have shown that oxidative stress and nitric oxide may play an important role in fibromyalgia pathophysiology (Ozgocmen et al., 2006).

The overexpression of transaldolase might be justified by the NADPH production, which could be involved in limiting oxidative damage to tissues. Moreover, transaldolase links the pentose phosphate pathway to glycolysis. From this point of view, it is interesting to note that phosphoglycerate mutase 1, an enzyme involved in glycolysis, was differently expressed in fibromyalgia patients.

Fig. 4. Western Blot analysis of transaldolase and phosphoglycerate mutase 1 in whole saliva samples from healthy subjects and fibromyalgia patients. Densitometry of the blots is shown. Values that are significantly different (p<0.05) as determined by the Mann-Whitney test, are indicated.

In conclusion, our study has attested the potential usefulness of the proteomic characterization of human whole saliva in distinguishing fibromyalgia from healthy subjects. Moreover, the use of saliva may enable the easy characterization of non-invasively collected biological fluids, giving rise to a different approach in the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. The future focus of interest will be to validate the panel of biomarkers in different cohorts of pathological controls in order to identify biomarkers specific to fibromyalgia, and to exclude any interference of concomitant disorder (e.g. psychiatric comorbidities).

However, this study allows us to focus on some of the peculiar pathogenic aspects of fibromyalgia, especially on the oxidative stress which contradistinguishes this condition.

## **5. Conclusion**

The pathogenesis of fibromyalgia is not entirely understood and, at present, the diagnosis is only clinical. Up to now, no objective measures have been determined to be reliable biomarkers, and these measures can only reflect a predisposition to fibromyalgia. However, the different studies offer us insights into the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia. The proteomic analysis, rather than the gene expression profile, might have potential applications as a new tool for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia because proteins are the final effectors that mediate disease pathogenesis. Therefore, proteomic seems to represent a necessary element in the advancement of disease diagnosis and therapeutic targets.

## **6. Acknowledgement**

The authors wish to thank Dr Laura Fatuzzo for her valuable contribution in reviewing the text.

## **7. References**

160 New Insights into Fibromyalgia

The overexpression of transaldolase might be justified by the NADPH production, which could be involved in limiting oxidative damage to tissues. Moreover, transaldolase links the pentose phosphate pathway to glycolysis. From this point of view, it is interesting to note that phosphoglycerate mutase 1, an enzyme involved in glycolysis, was differently

**transaldolase phosphoglycerate**

3000 6000 9000

**Optical density**

Fig. 4. Western Blot analysis of transaldolase and phosphoglycerate mutase 1 in whole saliva samples from healthy subjects and fibromyalgia patients. Densitometry of the blots is shown. Values that are significantly different (p<0.05) as determined by the Mann-Whitney

In conclusion, our study has attested the potential usefulness of the proteomic characterization of human whole saliva in distinguishing fibromyalgia from healthy subjects. Moreover, the use of saliva may enable the easy characterization of non-invasively collected biological fluids, giving rise to a different approach in the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. The future focus of interest will be to validate the panel of biomarkers in different cohorts of pathological controls in order to identify biomarkers specific to fibromyalgia, and to exclude any interference of concomitant disorder (e.g. psychiatric

However, this study allows us to focus on some of the peculiar pathogenic aspects of fibromyalgia, especially on the oxidative stress which contradistinguishes this condition.

The pathogenesis of fibromyalgia is not entirely understood and, at present, the diagnosis is only clinical. Up to now, no objective measures have been determined to be reliable biomarkers, and these measures can only reflect a predisposition to fibromyalgia. However, the different studies offer us insights into the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia. The proteomic analysis, rather than the gene expression profile, might have potential applications as a new tool for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia because proteins are the final effectors that mediate disease pathogenesis. Therefore, proteomic seems to represent a

necessary element in the advancement of disease diagnosis and therapeutic targets.

**mutase 1** 

**C FM** <sup>0</sup>

\*

**control**

**fibromyalgia**

expressed in fibromyalgia patients.

**control**

**C FM** <sup>0</sup>

\*

**fibromyalgia**

1000 2000 3000

1000

**Optical density**

test, are indicated.

comorbidities).

**5. Conclusion** 


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