Evaluation of the link between auto-immunity and derangements in immune cell metabolism and function in ME/CFS (EnergiseME)

Project description

Which alterations in the metabolism of immune cells could be the cause of ME/CFS? To find out, researchers will map the metabolism of immune cells from adult and adolescent ME/CFS patients. They will also investigate how these alterations affect immune cells, cause symptoms of ME/CFS, and whether these changes are caused by autoantibodies in ME/CFS patients. The project will contribute to finding diagnostic criteria for  ME/CFS and identifying new drugs to treat ME/CFS with.

Goal

Previous research showed disturbances in the mitochondria of immune cells and the presence of antibodies directed against the body's own cells. This research will find out where these disturbances occur and to what extent they may be causing ME/CFS. The research questions are: 1) How are mitochondria and cellular metabolism affected in monocytes of ME/CFS patients? 2) How does autoimmunity link to metabolic derangements in monocytes of ME/CFS patients? 3) Does the metabolic autoimmune axis cause ME/CFS symptoms?

Approach

Because of the heterogeneity within ME/CFS patients, the investigators will first categorise adult and adolescent ME/CFS patients and healthy controls based on extensive serum analysis together with the AutonoME project. In the resulting subgroups, they will specifically look at what changes in mitochondria and metabolism are present. By adding autoantibodies from ME/CFS patients to cell cultures of immune cells from healthy controls, the investigators can see whether these antibodies cause identical changes in metabolism and cellular function. Finally, the research team will mimic these changes in an animal model to see whether mice develop ME/CFS symptoms.

(Description adapted from project website: see link above)