Stem cell exosomes to probe immune cell problems in ME/CFS
Official title: MSC exosomes as probes for ME/CSF immune cell dysfunction
Funded at Nova Southeastern University · NIH-11237600 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether tiny packets from bone‑marrow stem cells can reveal immune and energy problems in people with ME/CFS.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nova Southeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Lauderdale-Davie, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $192,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI187895-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11237600 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with a confirmed clinical diagnosis of ME/CFS who are willing to provide blood samples (and possibly cerebrospinal fluid if requested) would be the best candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without ME/CFS or those unwilling to provide biospecimens would not be eligible and are unlikely to benefit from participation.
What this research studies
You would be asked to help researchers study tiny vesicles called exosomes made by bone‑marrow mesenchymal stem cells and how they interact with immune cells and body fluids linked to ME/CFS. In the lab, scientists will expose patient immune cells (and possibly cerebrospinal fluid samples) to these exosomes to see whether they change immune activity or cellular energy processes. The team will analyze proteins, RNAs, and cell behavior to map immune and metabolic dysfunction that may underlie symptoms. Some parallel experiments may use animal models to test mechanisms and safety before human applications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify immune or metabolic signatures that point to new targeted treatments or diagnostic tests for ME/CFS.
How similar studies have gone: MSC‑derived exosomes have shown immune‑modulating and tissue‑protective effects in several animal models and early human research, but applying them specifically to ME/CFS is largely new.
Where this research is happening
-
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale-Davie, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Beljanski, Vladimir — Nova Southeastern University
- Study coordinator: Beljanski, Vladimir
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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.