Immune system changes in ME/CFS
Official title: Immune dysfunction in ME/CFS
Funded at Cornell University · NIH-11501142 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how immune cells and platelets are altered in people with ME/CFS to better understand the illness.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cornell University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ithaca, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2017 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $519,937 |
| NIH project number | 5U54AI178855-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11501142 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with a clinical diagnosis of ME/CFS who can provide blood samples and clinical information would be the ideal participants.
✕Less likely to help
People without ME/CFS or those hoping for an immediate new therapy are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic-research project.
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are comparing blood immune cells from people with ME/CFS to those from people without the condition to find what is different. They will use multiomic lab techniques to study gene regulation in monocytes and perform lab tests of monocyte function, and they will also examine platelet changes. The work focuses on the immune components our team has already found to be most affected in ME/CFS, like classical monocytes, platelets, and some T cell subsets. The goal is to pinpoint specific immune disruptions that could explain symptoms and point to future tests or treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify immune causes of ME/CFS and point toward new diagnostic markers or treatment targets.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have reported immune differences in ME/CFS, but using integrated multiomic analyses focused on monocytes and platelets is a newer, exploratory approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Cornell University
Ithaca, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grimson, Andrew W — Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Grimson, Andrew W
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.