NIH-funded research R01 grant

Investigating T Cell Responses in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Official title: Altered T Cell Responses in Myalgic Enchephalomeylitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11044125 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how a type of immune cell called T cells behaves in people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) compared to healthy individuals, to help uncover clues about the condition and find better ways to treat it.

More Fatigue research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Worcester, United States)
Project startMarch 8, 2021
Project endFebruary 28, 2026
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$474,267
NIH project number5R01AI159314-05
Project IDNIH-11044125 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Less likely to help

Patients with other chronic illnesses or those without a diagnosis of ME/CFS may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how T cells, a type of immune cell, respond in patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). The study examines the differences in T cell behavior between individuals with ME/CFS and healthy individuals, particularly looking at markers of T cell activation and exhaustion. By analyzing blood samples, researchers aim to identify specific patterns in T cell responses that may contribute to the symptoms of ME/CFS. This could lead to better understanding of the disease and potential new treatment strategies.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic methods and targeted therapies for patients with ME/CFS.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated alterations in immune responses in ME/CFS, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

  • Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
    Worcester, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Selin, Liisa Kaarina — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
  • Study coordinator: Selin, Liisa Kaarina

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Human Herpesvirus 6B and ME/CFS: does the virus cause or follow immune problems?

    A study to see if HHV-6B reactivation is a cause or result of immune problems in people with ME/CFS, using long-term follow-up and biosamples from patients and controls.

    NIH research London Sch/hygiene & Tropical Medicine · London, United Kingdom · NIH-11403869

  • Long COVID as a possible subtype of chronic fatigue syndrome

    A study at a major hospital will look at whether Long COVID shares biology with chronic fatigue syndrome and what genetic and immune factors may link them.

    NIH research Massachusetts General Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11391125

  • Is Long COVID a subtype of chronic fatigue syndrome?

    This project looks at whether people with Long COVID share the same genetic and immune signs as people with chronic fatigue syndrome by analyzing large collections of patient data.

    NIH research Massachusetts General Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11381943

  • HHV-6B (a common herpesvirus) and its link to ME/CFS and Long COVID

    This project will follow adults with ME/CFS, some with Long COVID, and healthy controls over time to find out whether reactivation of herpesvirus HHV-6B is linked to changes in symptoms and immune responses.

    NIH research London Sch/hygiene & Tropical Medicine · London, United Kingdom · NIH-11159442

  • Long COVID may be a form of chronic fatigue syndrome

    This project looks for shared genetic and immune causes in people with Long COVID and people with chronic fatigue syndrome to explain lingering symptoms.

    NIH research Massachusetts General Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11143218

  • Investigating muscle cells to improve diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome

    This study is looking at muscle cells from people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) to find out how they differ from those of healthy individuals, with the hope of discovering new ways to diagnose and better understand the condition, especially for those who developed symptoms after COVID

    NIH research Lehigh University · Bethlehem, United States · NIH-10951972

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.