Researchers explore how the immune system goes awry during space travel and the implications for human aging on Earth
The study has potential implications for immune aging on Earth since the changes observed during aging resemble those captured during space travel. Astronauts in low Earth orbit, such as on the International Space Station, suffer from immune system problems, especially infections, latent viruses reactivating, and skin sensitivity. These reactions occur even on short-term spaceflights.
To simulate an environment with almost no gravity, the team grew the cells inside of a Rotating Wall Vessel, a device developed by NASA to simulate microgravity conditions. "Interestingly, changes in mechanical forces appear to orchestrate immune cell function," said Winer, whose interest in studying space medicine grew from him delving into the emerging field of mechanoimmunology, or how environmental forces affect immune cell function. Parts of astroimmunology are related to mechanoimmunology, but it is proving its own as a new field, he said, paving the way to better understand how to help the immune system survive in space.
"These findings define hallmarks of immune cell alteration in simulated microgravity, with correlation to spaceflight exposures in mice and humans," said Winer.