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Review
. 2020 May 7:6:14.
doi: 10.1038/s41526-020-0104-1. eCollection 2020.

How does spaceflight affect the acquired immune system?

Taishin Akiyama  1 , Kenta Horie  1 , Eiichi Hinoi  2   3 , Manami Hiraiwa  2   4 , Akihisa Kato  5   6   7 , Yoichi Maekawa  8   9 , Akihisa Takahashi  10 , Satoshi Furukawa  11
Affiliations
Review

How does spaceflight affect the acquired immune system?

Taishin Akiyama et al. NPJ Microgravity. .

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Adaptive immunity; Health care.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interestsThe authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Functions and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in bone marrow.
: a Function and differentiation of MSCs in the homeostatic condition. b Alteration in differentiation of MSCs by microgravity and space radiation.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Influence of spaceflight on the murine thymus.
: In mice, spaceflight causes thymic atrophy that is most likely due to reduced cell proliferation.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. Reactivation of latent virus during spaceflight.
Space stressors may cause dysfunction of CD8 T cells that in turns induces reactivation of HSV-1.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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