Defining autoimmune aspects of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CardingU15UEA)

ME/CFS is a multifactorial disorder affecting the nervous system that is defined by symptom-specific criteria and characterised by severe and prolonged fatigue. The aetiology of the disorder is not known although alterations in both the innate and adaptive immune system, recurrent or persistent infections, some of which originate in the gastrointestinal tract, autoantibody production and the effectiveness of B cell depletion therapy suggest that patients with ME/CFS may suffer from autoimmune responses. The aim of this PhD project is to investigate the underlying causes of ME/CFS and provide evidence of autoreactive immune cells in patients and whether increased microbial translocation across the intestinal wall is a causal factor in the generation of autoreactivity. The objectives of the project are to:
1. Investigate the presence of (auto)antibodies reactive with intestinal microbes and/or cells of the central nervous system (CNS) in newly diagnosed patients and in those with established disease.
2. Investigate the presence of (auto)reactive T lymphocytes specific for antigens expressed by intestinal microbes and determine if they have the capacity to home to the CNS in ME/CFS patients.
3. Define the functional properties of auto-reactive antibodies and T cells identified in ME/CFS patients.
This multidisciplinary project provides an opportunity for extensive training in cell and molecular immunology and microbiology. The student will benefit from extensive knowledge and technical expertise of senior scientists in the groups of Profs Carding and Wileman at the UEA-Norwich Medical School. The project also benefits from current collaborations with the Neuroimmunology group of Prof Angela Vincent at Oxford University that has expertise in characterising pathogenic antibodies in autoimmune disease affecting the CNS.