The study of the immune system in space has the potential to provide valuable insights into human aging on Earth. Researchers have discovered the impact of zero gravity on immune system cells at the individual cell level. Since the beginning of space exploration, astronauts have faced various health challenges due to the harsh conditions of space travel, particularly the absence of gravity. A team of scientists, including two Buck researchers, has successfully identified the effects of zero gravity on immune system cells with a high level of precision, marking a significant advancement in this field of study.Dr. E. Mason, along with Associate Professors David Furman and Daniel Winer, conducted a study on the impact of gravity on immune cells. Their research, published in the June 11, 2020 issue of Nature Communications, included an in-depth analysis of how microgravity affects these cells and the discovery of potential “space nutraceuticals” to mitigate these effects. Winer explained, “We examined how simulated microgravity shapes immune cells and how these changes affect the cells’ function at a single cell level. This level of detail is new and provides valuable insights into the effects of microgravity on cells.” The researchers utilized cells in a simulated microgravity environment to conduct their study.Formulated microgravity, along with data from space flight from astronauts and mice on the International Space Station, allowed the researchers to gain a comprehensive understanding of how reduced gravity affects the different cells of the immune system in the peripheral blood. These cells, such as lymphocytes and monocytes, play a crucial role in immunity.
This study has potential implications for immune aging on Earth, as the changes observed during aging are similar to those seen during space travel.
The team also outlines a pathway for identifying compounds that can counteract the effects of near zero gravity, and demonstrates The compound quercetin has shown potential in reducing the damage caused by spaceflight and aging. According to Furman, the research offers insight into the changes in the immune system in simulated microgravity and spaceflight, as well as provides a potential way to maintain normal immunity under such harsh conditions. Astronauts in low earth orbit, including those on the International Space Station, experience immune system issues such as infections, reactivation of latent viruses, and increased skin sensitivity, even on short-term spaceflights.
Prior research has shown that under actual or simulated microgravity conditions, various immune cells experience impaired function. However, the researchers noted that the underlying mechanisms, genes, and pathways responsible for immune dysfunction in microgravity were largely unknown. They were interested in gaining a better understanding of the cellular-level changes that were occurring.
In this study, the team, led by co-first authors Buck postdoctoral researcher Fei Wu, PhD and graduate student Huixun Du, delved into the effects of 25 hours of simulated microgravity on the human peripheral blood mononuclear immune system, utilizing sThe researchers collected samples from 27 healthy human donors aged 20 to 46. They used a Rotating Wall Vessel, developed by NASA, to create an environment that mimics almost zero gravity for growing the cells. To understand the effects of reduced gravity, the team employed various methods such as sequencing and super-resolution microscopy. They also verified their results by comparing them with other research studies conducted in space on humans and mice, including the JAXA mission, SpaceX’s Inspiration 4 mission, NASA’s Twins Study, and spleens from mice housed on the International Space Station.Space Station,” said Winer. He has become interested in studying space medicine from delving into the emerging field of mechanoimmunology, or how environmental forces affect immune cell function. Parts of Astroimmunology are related to mechanoimmunolgy, but it is proving its own as a new field, he said, paving the way to understand how to help the immune system survive in space.
After discovering several genes and biochemical pathways affected by microgravity, the team wanted to see if they could find any specific drugs.Researchers have identified potential compounds that could protect immune cells, using machine learning technology developed by Furman at the Buck. The technology is capable of detecting over 2 million interactions between genes, drugs, and foods. Dozens of potential compounds were identified, with one, the plant pigment quercetin, being chosen for further exploration. Quercetin is commonly found in red onions, grapes, berries, apples, and citrus fruits, and is widely available as an antioxidant and anti-aging supplement. The researchers found that quercetin reversed approximately 70 percent of the changes caused by lack of gravity and protected the cells from reactive oxygen species.The discovery identifies key changes in immune cells in simulated microgravity, linked to spaceflight exposure in both mice and humans. This research will guide future studies in mechanoimmunology and astroimmunology, offering opportunities to create solutions for maintaining normal cellular function in space. Additionally, Furman believes that this publication establishes the benchmark for analyzing the physiological changes that come with space travel, providing the global scientific community with a valuable resource.According to him, understanding human biology in extreme conditions is crucial. He also mentions that the implications go beyond just humans in space. The researchers are eager to study the similar changes they have observed in aging humans on Earth and hope to use this knowledge to create interventions that could potentially reverse the immune dysfunction that comes with aging.
