EnergiseME: Evaluation of the link between auto-immunity and derangements in immune cell metabolism and function in ME/CFS
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 own cells. This research will find out where these disturbances occur are and to what extent they cause ME/CFS. The research questions are:
- How are the mitochondria and cellular metabolism affected in monocytes of ME/CFS patients?
- How does auto-immunity link to metabolic derangements in monocytes of ME/CFS patients?
- Does the metabolic auto-immune axis cause ME/CFS symptoms?
Approach
Because of the heterogeneity within ME/CFS patients, we will first categorize adult and adolescent ME/CFS patients and healthy controls based on extensive serum analysis together with the AutonoME project. In the resulting subgroups, we will specifically look what changes in mitochondria and metabolism are present. By adding autoantibodies from ME/CFS patients to cell cultures of immune cells from healthy controls, we can see whether these antibodies cause identical changes in metabolism and cellular function. Finally, we will mimic these changes in an animal model to see whether the mice develop ME/CFS symptoms.
Part of the NMCB consortium
This research project is associated with the Netherlands ME/CFS Cohort and Biobank (NMCB) consortium. More information on the consortium and the other NMCB research projects can be found on the NMCB consortium’s page.
Collaboration partners
This project is conducted in collaboration with UMC Utrecht, AMC, Utrecht University, the Fatigue Clinic, Charité (Berlin, Germany), Uppsala University (Sweden), University of Bergen (Norway), ME/cvs Vereniging, Steungroep ME en Arbeidsongeschiktheid and ME/CVS Nederland. This ensures that the research team consists of several national and international experts from different fields of science.
(Expected) Results
We expect that we will be able to identify patient subgroups and possibly even arrive at objective diagnostic tools for this disease. This is important because a proper, objective diagnosis can contribute to societal and scientific acceptance an acknowledgement of ME/CFS. We also expect to contribute to insights regarding possible treatments. We will be able to test these thanks to a new ME/CFS animal model that will be developed together with another (AutonoME) research project.
Other
A data management plan will be created for this study and we will work with a data steward. The outcomes of the research will be made available on public servers and published in traditional peer-reviewed (Open Access) journals. Results will be presented at conferences and included in education as knowledge of ME/CFS is currently lacking in most curricula. Outcomes will also be shared with doctors and insurance companies. The outcomes are also going to be shared with the media and on the researchers' social media channels. Patients and patient representatives are closely involved in this project and we meet every six months to discuss the progress of the study.