# Comprehensive analyses of endogenous retroviruses with severe chronic fatigue syndrome

> **NIH NIH R03** · FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $73,760

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (referred to as CFS) is a debilitating disease
characterized by unrelenting fatigue, post-exertional malaise, cognitive impairment, sleep problems, and pain.
CFS disables 1-2.5 million Americans, and costs $17–24 billion annually. Clinical tests of CFS patients are
typically normal. There are currently no molecular biomarkers or FDA-approved treatments. The cause of CFS
is unknown. Recent data from ourselves and others show that CFS is a complex and misunderstood disease.
This proposal is aimed at helping to understand the role of endogenous retrovirus (ERV) variations in the
genetic predisposition for CFS. We propose a novel CFS model: polymorphic ERV insertions can be activated
through demethylation, infectious agents, or both, and the resembled viral RNA triggers the inflammation
pathway, ultimately leading to CFS. The co-contribution of genome-wide ERV variations and their activators is
an unexplored research frontier and an important area for research in CFS. Here, we will focus on analyzing
existing CFS genome, methylome, transcriptome, and microbiome data to identify ERV variations associated
with CFS. Verifying ERV as a risk factor in CFS will aid in adoption of an antiviral or anti-inflammatory
treatment or anti-inflammatory lifestyle. If ERV activators, such as demethylation or infectious agent triggers,
are also found, research on this will eventually lead to new therapeutic intervention and prevention.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10342264
- **Project number:** 7R03AI147084-03
- **Recipient organization:** FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Dawei Li
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $73,760
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2021-02-05 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10342264

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10342264, Comprehensive analyses of endogenous retroviruses with severe chronic fatigue syndrome (7R03AI147084-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10342264. Licensed CC0.

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