Duane L. Pierson, Ph.D.NASA Johnson Space Center
Houston, Texas
Duane L. Pierson, Ph.D.NASA Johnson Space Center
Houston, Texas
Muscle lossMuscle loss
Fluid shifts,hematological changes Fluid shifts,hematological changes
Neurosensory adaptationsNeurosensory adaptations
Gastrointestinal alterationsGastrointestinal alterations
Cardiovascular adaptationsCardiovascular adaptations
Taste and odor sensitivityTaste and odor sensitivity
Sleep and circadianrhythm disturbancesSleep and circadianrhythm disturbances
Psychological-Behavioral-Performance issues Psychological-Behavioral-Performance issues
Immune changesImmune changes
Bone lossBone loss
ADAPTATION TO SPACEFLIGHTADAPTATION TO SPACEFLIGHT
HUMAN IMMUNE RESPONSEHUMAN IMMUNE RESPONSE
• Blood Cell CountBlood Cell Count
• Lymphocyte Proliferative ResponsesLymphocyte Proliferative Responses
• Cell Mediated ImmunityCell Mediated Immunity
• Cytokine ProductionCytokine Production
• NK Cell CytotoxicityNK Cell Cytotoxicity
• Humoral FactorsHumoral Factors
• Specific Antibody ResponseSpecific Antibody Response
• Wound HealingWound Healing
• Neutrophil FunctionsNeutrophil Functions
HEALTHHEALTH
DISEASEDISEASE
•• Crowded Living Conditions•• Closed-Loop Environment (Water/Air)•• Reduced Capability for Personal Hygiene•• Limited Clean-up and Disinfection Capability•• Inability to Isolate Contagious Crewmember•• Limited Treatment Capability and Crew Return•• Altered Immune Response
FACTORS INCREASING DISEASE RISKFACTORS INCREASING DISEASE RISK
•• Skin InfectionsSkin Infections
•• Gastrointestinal DistressGastrointestinal Distress
•• Urinary Tract InfectionsUrinary Tract Infections
•• Upper RespiratoryUpper Respiratory
• Latent Viral Reactivation
INFECTIOUS DISEASE RISKSINFECTIOUS DISEASE RISKS
SPECIFIC APPLICATIONMay be used as an early predictor of impending medically significant changes in the immune response.
SPECIFIC APPLICATIONMay be used as an early predictor of impending medically significant changes in the immune response.
Herpesviruses are the most readily recognized latent viruses.
These viruses are ubiquitous and represent important infectious disease risks with oncogenic potential.
Herpesviruses are the most readily recognized latent viruses.
These viruses are ubiquitous and represent important infectious disease risks with oncogenic potential.
WHY HERPESVIRUSES?WHY HERPESVIRUSES?
They are not mitigated by preflight quarantine.
Space flight stress alters immune response.
Diminished immunity results in reactivation and dissemination (“shedding”) of latent viruses.
They are not mitigated by preflight quarantine.
Space flight stress alters immune response.
Diminished immunity results in reactivation and dissemination (“shedding”) of latent viruses.
SALIVA COLLECTION PROCEDURE
Antarctica: EBVAntarctica: EBV
Days in IsolationDays in Isolation
EB
V D
NA
O.D
. @
405
nm
EB
V D
NA
O.D
. @
405
nm
DT
H r
esp
on
seD
TH
res
po
nse
-100 -50 0 50 100 150 200 2500
1
2
3
4
5
Subject 1
Pre
Normal
Hypoergic
Anergic
PostIsolation
Space Shuttle: EBV copiesSpace Shuttle: EBV copies E
BV
Co
pie
s p
er m
l E
BV
Co
pie
s p
er m
l
0
200
400
600
800
1000
EBV Frequency: 29%EBV copies 40+ 2
Day before launch(L-)
Day before launch(L-)
200-140 139-60 59-1
EBV Frequency:16%EBV copies 417+ 31
Day offlight
Day offlight
2-4 5-7 8-14
Day after recovery(R+)
Day after recovery(R+)
1-30 31-45
EBV Frequency: 16%
EBV copies 44+ 5
n = 32Space Flights = 10
•Control•Mir
Space Shuttle: CMV FrequencySpace Shuttle: CMV Frequency
% P
osi
tive
CM
V U
rin
e S
amp
les
% P
osi
tive
CM
V U
rin
e S
amp
les
Astronauts Control0
5
10
15
20
25
30n = 71
n = 61
CMV IgG Antibody TitersCMV IgG Antibody TitersC
MV
Ig
G A
nti
bo
dy
Tit
ers
(Mea
n +
/- S
E l
og
2)
CM
V I
gG
An
tib
od
y T
iter
s (M
ean
+/-
SE
lo
g2)
55 Astronauts
40 non-shedders
* significant increase from BL (p<0.001)† significant increase from L-10 (p< 0.001)
BL L-10 R+0 R+32
3
4
5
6
7
8
15 CMV Shedders
*
*
†*
CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS
1. Space flight is a unique stress model
2. Antarctic Science Stations model many aspects of space flight
3. Stress associated with space flight results in increased reactivation of EBV, CMV and VZV.
4. Viral reactivation in astronauts appears to be linked to duration in Space (Stress/ Microgravity ?).
5. Space flight associated stress manifested through the HPA-axis result in increased stress hormones, reduced CMI, and increased viral reactivation.
1. Space flight is a unique stress model
2. Antarctic Science Stations model many aspects of space flight
3. Stress associated with space flight results in increased reactivation of EBV, CMV and VZV.
4. Viral reactivation in astronauts appears to be linked to duration in Space (Stress/ Microgravity ?).
5. Space flight associated stress manifested through the HPA-axis result in increased stress hormones, reduced CMI, and increased viral reactivation.
• Satish K Mehta, Ph.D., NASA-JSC
• Desmond J. Lugg, M.D., Australian Antarctic Div, Hobart, Australia
• Janet S. Butel, Ph.D., NSBRI/Baylor College of Medicine, Houston,TX
• Randall J. Cohrs, Ph.D., Uni Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver Co
• Bagher Forghani, Ph.D.,California Department of Health Services, Richmond, CA
• Stephen K. Tyring, M.D., Ph.D., UTMB, Galveston, TX
• Ronald Glaser, Ph.D., The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
• Satish K Mehta, Ph.D., NASA-JSC
• Desmond J. Lugg, M.D., Australian Antarctic Div, Hobart, Australia
• Janet S. Butel, Ph.D., NSBRI/Baylor College of Medicine, Houston,TX
• Randall J. Cohrs, Ph.D., Uni Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver Co
• Bagher Forghani, Ph.D.,California Department of Health Services, Richmond, CA
• Stephen K. Tyring, M.D., Ph.D., UTMB, Galveston, TX
• Ronald Glaser, Ph.D., The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSACKNOWLEDGEMENTS