How does spaceflight affect the acquired immune system?

• Published in: NPJ microgravity Vol. 6; no. 1; p. 14
• Main Authors: Akiyama, Taishin, Horie, Kenta, Hinoi, Eiichi, Hiraiwa, Manami, Kato, Akihisa, Maekawa, Yoichi, Takahashi, Akihisa, Furukawa, Satoshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 07-05-2020; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 631/250/2152; 692/700; Adaptive immunity; Allergens; Applied Microbiology; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Bone marrow; Classical and Continuum Physics; Gravity; Immune response; Immune system; Immunology; Life Sciences; Lymphopoiesis; Microenvironments; Review; Review Article; Space Exploration and Astronautics; Space flight; Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics; Tumors; Health care; Adaptive immunity
• ISSN: 2373-8065; 2373-8065
• DOI: 10.1038/s41526-020-0104-1

The impact of spaceflight on the immune system has been investigated extensively during spaceflight missions and in model experiments conducted on Earth. Data suggest that the spaceflight environment may affect the development of acquired immunity, and immune responses. Herein we summarize and discuss the influence of the spaceflight environment on acquired immunity. Bone marrow and the thymus, two major primary lymphoid organs, are evidently affected by gravitational change during spaceflight. Changes in the microenvironments of these organs impair lymphopoiesis, and thereby may indirectly impinge on acquired immunity. Acquired immune responses may also be disturbed by gravitational fluctuation, stressors, and space radiation both directly and in a stress hormone-dependent manner. These changes may affect acquired immune responses to pathogens, allergens, and tumors.