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Antibody binding in altered gravity: implications for immunosorbent assay during space flight
Jake Maule1, Marilyn Fogel, Andrew Steele
1Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, DC, USA. Jake.Maule@jsc.nasa.gov
Journal of Gravitational Physiology : a Journal of the International Society for Gravitational Physiology
|April 21, 2005
Summary
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) function effectively in microgravity and varying G-forces. Reduced fluid volumes are sufficient for antibody binding in space, indicating feasibility for spaceflight diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Space Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Immunosorbent assays are crucial diagnostic tools.
- Understanding assay performance in altered gravity is vital for space exploration.
- Previous studies have not fully characterized ELISA performance across different gravity conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance of the antibody-incubation step in an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) under microgravity, Martian gravity, and hypergravity conditions.
- To determine the impact of reduced and increased gravity on antibody-antigen binding kinetics and efficiency.
- To assess the feasibility of performing ELISA procedures during spaceflight missions.
Main Methods:
- An indirect ELISA antibody-incubation step was conducted during parabolic flights.
- Experiments were performed under microgravity, Martian gravity (0.38 G), and hypergravity (1.8 G).
- Antibody-antigen binding was quantified and analyzed, with fluid volumes and surface contact observed.
Main Results:
- Antibody-antigen binding occurred rapidly (within 15 seconds) and showed no significant difference between microgravity, Martian gravity, and 1 G.
- In hypergravity and 1 G, binding was proportional to fluid volume, but this relationship was altered in microgravity.
- Microgravity conditions potentially enhanced binding efficiency due to increased fluid-surface contact from "fluid spread".
Conclusions:
- ELISA antibody-incubation and washing steps are feasible for human operators in microgravity, Martian gravity, and hypergravity.
- No significant difference in antibody binding levels was observed between microgravity, Martian gravity, and Earth's gravity (1 G).
- Reduced gravity may allow for the use of smaller fluid volumes, thus less antibody, for effective immunosorbent assays in spaceflight.