New research has shed light on the mechanisms behind infections that astronauts experience during spaceflights.
According to ABC, the study, which included 14 astronauts who spent extended amounts of time onboard the International Space Station (ISS), discovered that gene expression in white blood cells known as leukocytes decreased dramatically in space.
Leukocytes play a crucial role in the immune system by detecting and attacking pathogens.
These findings provide valuable insights into astronauts' weakened immune system response, making them more susceptible to infections.
A Closer Look at the Study
The study, led by molecular biologist Odette Laneuville from the University of Ottawa in Canada, was published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology.
It highlights the potential risks faced by astronauts due to compromised immunity during their demanding work in space.
In the absence of proper medical care and limited access to medication, severe infections or immune-related conditions could pose significant challenges for astronauts.
The research team analyzed blood samples collected from 14 astronauts, consisting of 11 men and three women, representing both the Canadian Space Agency and NASA.
The samples were obtained before the flight, during their time aboard the ISS, and after their return to Earth.
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Alarming Findings
The study revealed that gene expression in leukocytes decreased to approximately one-third of normal levels while in space.
This decline occurred within the initial days of the spaceflight and remained stable throughout the duration of the mission.
However, the genes returned to their normal behavior within approximately a month after the astronauts' return to Earth.
According to Guy Trudel, an Ottawa Hospital rehabilitation medicine specialist and co-author of the study, white blood cells are highly responsive to the space environment.
In space, these cells seem to prioritize cellular maintenance and housekeeping tasks over their specialized immune functions. This altered behavior in leukocytes represents a significant discovery in understanding immune dysregulation in space.
The researchers suggest that this change in gene behavior may be attributed to a phenomenon known as "fluid shift," wherein the absence of Earth's gravitational pull causes the redistribution of blood from the lower to the upper part of the body.
However, the study indicates that increased solar radiation exposure is an unlikely factor contributing to the immune dysfunction observed in astronauts.
Similar Studies
The findings of the immunology study align with previous observations of immune dysfunction in astronauts during space travel. Astronauts have been found to shed more viral particles in their biological fluids, such as saliva and urine, increasing the risk of spreading pathogens among crew members with weakened immune systems.
This study, funded by the Canadian Space Agency, builds upon earlier NASA-funded research that reported changes in the brains of astronauts. These changes included the expansion of spaces containing fluid that cushions and protects the brain from impact and waste removal.
We reported earlier this month that brain scans on 30 astronauts revealed that physiological changes in the brain necessitate a three-year recuperation period following longer missions.
The researchers detected a considerable enlargement in the ventricles of the brain in astronauts who completed at least six-month missions.
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