Functional autoantibodies against G-protein-coupled receptors in patients with ME/CFS (FAME)

Project description

The leading symptom of post-infectious ME/CFS is severe fatigue that is worsened by physical exertion. Studies in people with ME/CFS have shown evidence of involvement of autoantibodies against G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). Due to the lack of simple tests for autoantibodies that activate the GPCR, the role of antibodies against GPCR in the pathogenesis of ME/CFS has not yet been elucidated. Preliminary work in a subgroup of post-COVID patients has shown that these autoantibodies are associated with impaired blood circulation in the eye and brain area.

Since symptoms of post-COVID are similar to symptoms of ME/CFS, the FAME project plans to investigate the disease-causing function of GPCR antibodies in people with ME/CFS and to develop new tests for the detection of functionally active autoantibodies against GPCR, which are based on human induced pluripotent stem cells. Furthermore, the project aims to clarify how common autoantibodies against GPCR are in adults and young children with ME/CFS, what triggers the formation of these autoantibodies after infections and whether the detection of GPCR antibodies correlates with clinical symptoms. The project will thus make an important contribution to elucidating and understanding the role of GPCR autoantibodies in the development of ME/CFS and to the development of new therapies for ME/CFS.

(Description adapted from project website: see link above)