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Flow Cytometry-based Assay for the Monitoring of NK Cell Functions
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NK cell function is impaired during long-duration spaceflight.

Austin B Bigley1,2, Nadia H Agha2, Forrest L Baker1,2,3

  • 1Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Arizona , Tucson, Arizona.

Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|November 2, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Space travel impairs natural killer (NK) cell function, crucial for immunity and cancer surveillance. This immune system impairment was more significant in rookie astronauts on long-duration missions, necessitating countermeasures for future space exploration.

Keywords:
astronautsimmunityisolation and confinementmicrogravityspace exploration

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Area of Science:

  • Space medicine
  • Immunology
  • Human physiology

Background:

  • Astronaut health is critical for deep space exploration.
  • Immune system dysregulation can increase risks of cancer and viral reactivation.
  • Natural killer (NK) cells are vital for immunosurveillance against tumors and latent viruses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare NK cell phenotype and function in astronauts during and after space missions with ground-based controls.
  • To investigate the impact of long-duration spaceflight on NK cell cytotoxic activity and related markers.
  • To identify potential differences in NK cell response between rookie and veteran astronauts.

Main Methods:

  • Collected blood samples from astronauts before, during, and after ~6-month International Space Station (ISS) missions.
  • Assessed NK cell cytotoxic activity (NKCA) against K562 leukemia targets in vitro.
  • Analyzed NK cell numbers, receptor expression, target cell binding, and degranulation markers (perforin, granzyme B).
  • Exposed an NK cell line (NK-92) to astronaut sera from different mission time points.

Main Results:

  • NK cell cytotoxic activity (NKCA) was reduced by approximately 50% during spaceflight (FD+90) in ISS crew compared to controls.
  • The decline in NKCA was more pronounced in rookie astronauts than in veteran astronauts.
  • NK cell numbers, receptor expression, target cell binding, and degranulation markers remained unaltered by spaceflight.
  • Exposing NK-92 cells to astronaut sera did not affect NKCA.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first evidence of impaired NK cell function during long-duration space travel.
  • Spaceflight-induced immune impairment, particularly in NK cell function, may pose risks for astronaut health.
  • Development of countermeasures is essential to mitigate NK cell dysfunction for future long-duration space missions, including Mars exploration.