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Space flight, microgravity, stress, and immune responses.

G Sonnenfeld1

  • 1Department of General Surgery Research, Carolinas Medical Center, P.O. Box 32861, Charlotte, NC 28232-2861, USA.

Advances in Space Research : the Official Journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
|November 17, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Space flight alters immune responses, decreasing lymphocyte function and natural killer cell activity. Stress combined with microgravity may cause these immune changes, but their significance requires further study.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Space Medicine
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Space flight causes significant immunological alterations in humans and animals.
  • Observed changes include decreased lymphocyte blastogenesis, cytokine production, and natural killer cell activity.
  • Leukocyte subset distribution is also affected by space flight.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relative contributions of microgravity and stress to space flight-induced immune alterations.
  • To understand the mechanisms behind immune system changes during space missions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing animal models like antiorthostatic, hypokinetic, hypodynamic suspension.
  • Employing human models such as chronic head-down tilt bed-rest.
  • Analyzing immunological parameters including cytokine function and leukocyte subsets.
Keywords:
NASA Discipline Regulatory PhysiologyNon-NASA Center

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Main Results:

  • Modeled microgravity effects showed decreased cytokine function but not altered leukocyte subsets.
  • These findings suggest a combined effect of stress and microgravity on immune responses.
  • The biological significance of space flight-induced immune changes is yet to be determined.

Conclusions:

  • Space flight-induced immune alterations are likely a result of combined microgravity and stress factors.
  • Further research is needed to establish the biomedical significance of these immune changes.
  • Understanding these effects is crucial for astronaut health during long-duration space missions.