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Diak DM, Krieger S, Gutierrez C, Mehta S, Nelman-Gonzalez M, Babiak-Vazquez A, Young M, Oswald TM, Choukér A, Johnson J, James H, Chang CY, Crucian B. Palmer Station, Antarctica: A ground-based spaceflight analog suitable for validation of biomedical countermeasures for deep space missions. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2024; 40:151-157. [PMID: 38245340 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2023.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Astronauts are known to exhibit a variety of immunological alterations during spaceflight including changes in leukocyte distribution and plasma cytokine concentrations, a reduction in T-cell function, and subclinical reactivation of latent herpesviruses. These alterations are most likely due to mission-associated stressors including circadian misalignment, microgravity, isolation, altered nutrition, and increased exposure to cosmic radiation. Some of these stressors may also occur in terrestrial situations. This study sought to determine if crewmembers performing winterover deployment at Palmer Station, Antarctica, displayed similar immune alterations. The larger goal was to validate a ground analog suitable for the evaluation of countermeasures designed to protect astronauts during future deep space missions. For this pilot study, plasma, saliva, hair, and health surveys were collected from Palmer Station, Antarctica, winterover participants at baseline, and at five winterover timepoints. Twenty-six subjects consented to participate over the course of two seasons. Initial sample processing was performed at Palmer, and eventually stabilized samples were returned to the Johnson Space Center for analysis. A white blood cell differential was performed (real time) using a fingerstick blood sample to determine alterations in basic leukocyte subsets throughout the winterover. Plasma and saliva samples were analyzed for 30 and 13 cytokines, respectively. Saliva was analyzed for cortisol concentration and three latent herpesviruses (DNA by qPCR), EBV, HSV1, and VZV. Voluntary surveys related to general health and adverse clinical events were distributed to participants. It is noteworthy that due to logistical constraints caused by COVID-19, the baseline samples for each season were collected in Punta Arenas, Chile, after long international travel and during isolation. Therefore, the Palmer pre-mission samples may not reflect a true normal 'baseline'. Minimal alterations were observed in leukocyte distribution during winterover. The mean percentage of monocyte concentration elevated at one timepoint. Plasma G-CSF, IL1RA, MCP-1, MIP-1β, TNFα, and VEGF were decreased during at least one winterover timepoint, whereas RANTES was significantly increased. No statistically significant changes were observed in mean saliva cytokine concentrations. Salivary cortisol was substantially elevated throughout the entire winterover compared to baseline. Compared to shedding levels observed in healthy controls (23%), the percentage of participants who shed EBV was higher throughout all winterover timepoints (52-60%). Five subjects shed HSV1 during at least one timepoint throughout the season compared to no subjects shedding during pre-deployment. Finally, VZV reactivation, common in astronauts but exceptionally rare in ground-based stress analogs, was observed in one subject during pre-deployment and a different subject at WO2 and WO3. These pilot data, somewhat influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, do suggest that participants at Palmer Station undergo immunological alterations similar to, but likely in reduced magnitude, as those observed in astronauts. We suggest that winterover at Palmer Station may be a suitable test analog for spaceflight biomedical countermeasures designed to mitigate clinical risks for deep space missions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Alexander Choukér
- Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Jamee Johnson
- National Science Foundation, Alexandria, Virginia, United States
| | - Hannah James
- National Science Foundation, Alexandria, Virginia, United States
| | - Cindy Y Chang
- National Science Foundation, Alexandria, Virginia, United States
| | - Brian Crucian
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, United States.
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Buchheim JI, Feuerecker M, Balsamo M, Vukich M, Van Walleghem M, Tabury K, Quintens R, Vermeesen R, Baselet B, Baatout S, Rattenbacher B, Antunes I, Ngo-Anh TJ, Crucian B, Choukér A. Monitoring functional immune responses with a cytokine release assay: ISS flight hardware design and experimental protocol for whole blood cultures executed under microgravity conditions. Front Physiol 2024; 14:1322852. [PMID: 38288353 PMCID: PMC10823428 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1322852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Long-term space missions trigger a prolonged neuroendocrine stress response leading to immune system dysregulation evidenced by susceptibility to infections, viral reactivation, and skin irritations. However, due to existing technical constraints, real-time functional immune assessments are not currently available to crew inflight. The in vitro cytokine release assay (CRA) has been effectively employed to study the stimulated cytokine response of immune cells in whole blood albeit limited to pre- and post-flight sessions. A novel two-valve reaction tube (RT) has been developed to enable the execution of the CRA on the International Space Station (ISS). Methods: In a comprehensive test campaign, we assessed the suitability of three materials (silicone, C-Flex, and PVC) for the RT design in terms of biochemical compatibility, chemical stability, and final data quality analysis. Furthermore, we thoroughly examined additional quality criteria such as safety, handling, and the frozen storage of antigens within the RTs. The validation of the proposed crew procedure was conducted during a parabolic flight campaign. Results: The selected material and procedure proved to be both feasible and secure yielding consistent and dependable data outcomes. This new hardware allows for the stimulation of blood samples on board the ISS, with subsequent analysis still conducted on the ground. Discussion: The resultant data promises to offer a more accurate understanding of the stress-induced neuroendocrine modulation of immunity during space travel providing valuable insights for the scientific community. Furthermore, the versatile nature of the RT suggests its potential utility as a testing platform for various other assays or sample types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith-Irina Buchheim
- Laboratory of Translational Research “Stress and Immunity”, Department of Anesthesiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Feuerecker
- Laboratory of Translational Research “Stress and Immunity”, Department of Anesthesiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Marco Vukich
- Kayser Italia S.r.l, Livorno, Italy
- European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), European Space Agency (ESA), Noordwijk, Netherlands
| | - Merel Van Walleghem
- European Astronaut Center (EAC), European Space Agency (ESA), Cologne, Germany
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Radiobiology Unit, Nuclear Medical Application Institute, Mol, Belgium
| | - Kevin Tabury
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Radiobiology Unit, Nuclear Medical Application Institute, Mol, Belgium
| | - Roel Quintens
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Radiobiology Unit, Nuclear Medical Application Institute, Mol, Belgium
| | - Randy Vermeesen
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Radiobiology Unit, Nuclear Medical Application Institute, Mol, Belgium
| | - Bjorn Baselet
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Radiobiology Unit, Nuclear Medical Application Institute, Mol, Belgium
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Radiobiology Unit, Nuclear Medical Application Institute, Mol, Belgium
| | - Bernd Rattenbacher
- Biotechnology Space Support Center (Biotesc), Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), Luzerne, Switzerland
| | - Inês Antunes
- European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), European Space Agency (ESA), Noordwijk, Netherlands
| | - Thu Jennifer Ngo-Anh
- European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), European Space Agency (ESA), Noordwijk, Netherlands
| | - Brian Crucian
- Immunology Lab, NASA Johnsons Space Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Alexander Choukér
- Laboratory of Translational Research “Stress and Immunity”, Department of Anesthesiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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3
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Scatà C, Carandina A, Della Torre A, Arosio B, Bellocchi C, Dias Rodrigues G, Furlan L, Tobaldini E, Montano N. Social Isolation: A Narrative Review on the Dangerous Liaison between the Autonomic Nervous System and Inflammation. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1229. [PMID: 37374012 DOI: 10.3390/life13061229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Social isolation and feelings of loneliness are related to higher mortality and morbidity. Evidence from studies conducted during space missions, in space analogs, and during the COVID-19 pandemic underline the possible role of the autonomic nervous system in mediating this relation. Indeed, the activation of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system enhances the cardiovascular response and activates the transcription of pro-inflammatory genes, which leads to a stimulation of inflammatory activation. This response is adaptive in the short term, in that it allows one to cope with a situation perceived as a threat, but in the long term it has detrimental effects on mental and physical health, leading to mood deflection and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as imbalances in immune system activation. The aim of this narrative review is to present the contributions from space studies and insights from the lockdown period on the relationship between social isolation and autonomic nervous system activation, focusing on cardiovascular impairment and immune imbalance. Knowing the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this relationship is important as it enables us to structure effective countermeasures for the new challenges that lie ahead: the lengthening of space missions and Mars exploration, the specter of future pandemics, and the aging of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costanza Scatà
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Angelica Carandina
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Della Torre
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Beatrice Arosio
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Bellocchi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriel Dias Rodrigues
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Ludovico Furlan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Tobaldini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Montano
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
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Yang M, Wu Y, Yang XB, Liu T, Zhang Y, Zhuo Y, Luo Y, Zhang N. Establishing a prediction model of severe acute mountain sickness using machine learning of support vector machine recursive feature elimination. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4633. [PMID: 36944699 PMCID: PMC10030784 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31797-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute mountain sickness (sAMS) can be life-threatening, but little is known about its genetic basis. The study was aimed to explore the genetic susceptibility of sAMS for the purpose of prediction, using microarray data from 112 peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples of 21 subjects, who were exposed to very high altitude (5260 m), low barometric pressure (406 mmHg), and hypobaric hypoxia (VLH) at various timepoints. We found that exposure to VLH activated gene expression in leukocytes, resulting in an inverted CD4/CD8 ratio that interacted with other phenotypic risk factors at the genetic level. A total of 2286 underlying risk genes were input into the support vector machine recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) system for machine learning, and a model with satisfactory predictive accuracy and clinical applicability was established for sAMS screening using ten featured genes with significant predictive power. Five featured genes (EPHB3, DIP2B, RHEBL1, GALNT13, and SLC8A2) were identified upstream of hypoxia- and/or inflammation-related pathways mediated by microRNAs as potential biomarkers for sAMS. The established prediction model of sAMS holds promise for clinical application as a genetic screening tool for sAMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Yang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Rheumatology Center of Integrated Medicine, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, PLA, Chengdu, 610083, China.
| | - Yang Wu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Rheumatology Center of Integrated Medicine, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, PLA, Chengdu, 610083, China
| | - Xing-Biao Yang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Rheumatology Center of Integrated Medicine, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, PLA, Chengdu, 610083, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Rheumatology Center of Integrated Medicine, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, PLA, Chengdu, 610083, China
| | - Ya Zhang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Rheumatology Center of Integrated Medicine, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, PLA, Chengdu, 610083, China
| | - Yue Zhuo
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Rheumatology Center of Integrated Medicine, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, PLA, Chengdu, 610083, China
| | - Yong Luo
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Rheumatology Center of Integrated Medicine, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, PLA, Chengdu, 610083, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, PLA, Chengdu, 610083, China
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5
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One Year in the Extreme Isolation of Antarctica—Is This Enough to Modulate an “Allergic” Sensitization? Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020448. [PMID: 35203657 PMCID: PMC8962425 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: After spending a year wintering in Antarctica, individual expedition members have reported increased or even new allergic reactions to environmental allergens after their return. (2) Methods: Blood samples from five overwintering crews were analyzed using the chip based multiplex ALEX Allergy Explorer (MacroArray Diagnostics GmbH, Austria). (3) Results: About one third of the 39 participants displayed specific IgEs against pollen. In most individuals, kinetics showed a reduction in the specific IgE at the time about nine months after deployment to Antarctica. Five participants had the highest specific IgE levels after returning to the “normal” world. The examination of the specific IgE relative to house dust mites and storage mites showed different kinetics. Six out of 10 had the highest specific IgE concentrations at the inner Antarctic measurement time point. These data corresponded well to the general situation in the stations. At the stations themselves, there were almost no pollen particle load, especially at Concordia. (4) Conclusions: Antarctic long-term confinement can induce an altered immune function, which is in some individuals pronounced after return to the familiar allergen environment. Future prospective studies in larger cohorts are needed to further specify these first results.
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Fieten KB, Drijver‐Messelink MT, Cogo A, Charpin D, Sokolowska M, Agache I, Taborda‐Barata LM, Eguiluz‐Gracia I, Braunstahl GJ, Seys SF, den Berge M, Bloch KE, Ulrich S, Cardoso‐Vigueros C, Kappen JH, Brinke AT, Koch M, Traidl‐Hoffmann C, da Mata P, Prins DJ, Pasmans SGMA, Bendien S, Rukhadze M, Shamji MH, Couto M, Oude Elberink H, Peroni DG, Piacentini G, Weersink EJM, Bonini M, Rijssenbeek‐Nouwens LHM, Akdis CA. Alpine altitude climate treatment for severe and uncontrolled asthma: An EAACI position paper. Allergy 2022; 77:1991-2024. [PMID: 35113452 PMCID: PMC9305916 DOI: 10.1111/all.15242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Currently available European Alpine Altitude Climate Treatment (AACT) programs combine the physical characteristics of altitude with the avoidance of environmental triggers in the alpine climate and a personalized multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation approach. The reduced barometric pressure, oxygen pressure, and air density, the relatively low temperature and humidity, and the increased UV radiation at moderate altitude induce several physiological and immunological adaptation responses. The environmental characteristics of the alpine climate include reduced aeroallergens such as house dust mites (HDM), pollen, fungi, and less air pollution. These combined factors seem to have immunomodulatory effects controlling pathogenic inflammatory responses and favoring less neuro‐immune stress in patients with different asthma phenotypes. The extensive multidisciplinary treatment program may further contribute to the observed clinical improvement by AACT in asthma control and quality of life, fewer exacerbations and hospitalizations, reduced need for oral corticosteroids (OCS), improved lung function, decreased airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), improved exercise tolerance, and improved sinonasal outcomes. Based on observational studies and expert opinion, AACT represents a valuable therapy for those patients irrespective of their asthma phenotype, who cannot achieve optimal control of their complex condition despite all the advances in medical science and treatment according to guidelines, and therefore run the risk of falling into a downward spiral of loss of physical and mental health. In the light of the observed rapid decrease in inflammation and immunomodulatory effects, AACT can be considered as a natural treatment that targets biological pathways.
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7
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Lu Z, Yuan C, Li J, Guo T, Yue Y, Niu C, Liu J, Yang B. Comprehensive Analysis of Long Non-coding RNA and mRNA Transcriptomes Related to Hypoxia Adaptation in Tibetan Sheep. Front Vet Sci 2022; 8:801278. [PMID: 35141308 PMCID: PMC8818989 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.801278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tibetan sheep have lived on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau for a long time, and after long-term natural selection, they have shown stable genetic adaptability to high-altitude environments. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of the long non-coding (lnc)RNAs involved in the adaptation of Tibetan sheep to hypoxia. Here, we collected lung tissues from high-altitude Tibetan sheep and low-altitude Hu sheep for RNA sequencing to study the regulatory mechanisms of the lncRNAs and mRNAs in the adaptation of Tibetan sheep to hypoxia. We identified 254 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 1,502 differentially expressed mRNAs. We found 20 pairs of cis-regulatory relationships between 15 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 14 protein-coding genes and two pairs of trans-regulatory relationships between two differentially expressed lncRNAs and two protein-coding genes. These differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNA target genes were mainly enriched in pathways related to lipid metabolism and immune function. Interaction network analysis showed that 17 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 15 differentially expressed mRNAs had an interactive relationship. Additionally, we used six differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs to verify the accuracy of the sequencing data via qRT-PCR. Our results provide a comprehensive overview of the expression patterns of the lncRNAs and mRNAs involved in the adaptation of Tibetan sheep to hypoxia, laying a foundation for further analysis of the adaptations of plateau animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengkui Lu
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Chao Yuan
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jianye Li
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Tingting Guo
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yaojing Yue
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Chune Niu
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jianbin Liu
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jianbin Liu
| | - Bohui Yang
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- Bohui Yang
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8
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Pavez Loriè E, Baatout S, Choukér A, Buchheim JI, Baselet B, Dello Russo C, Wotring V, Monici M, Morbidelli L, Gagliardi D, Stingl JC, Surdo L, Yip VLM. The Future of Personalized Medicine in Space: From Observations to Countermeasures. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:739747. [PMID: 34966726 PMCID: PMC8710508 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.739747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of personalized medicine is to detach from a “one-size fits all approach” and improve patient health by individualization to achieve the best outcomes in disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Technological advances in sequencing, improved knowledge of omics, integration with bioinformatics and new in vitro testing formats, have enabled personalized medicine to become a reality. Individual variation in response to environmental factors can affect susceptibility to disease and response to treatments. Space travel exposes humans to environmental stressors that lead to physiological adaptations, from altered cell behavior to abnormal tissue responses, including immune system impairment. In the context of human space flight research, human health studies have shown a significant inter-individual variability in response to space analogue conditions. A substantial degree of variability has been noticed in response to medications (from both an efficacy and toxicity perspective) as well as in susceptibility to damage from radiation exposure and in physiological changes such as loss of bone mineral density and muscle mass in response to deconditioning. At present, personalized medicine for astronauts is limited. With the advent of longer duration missions beyond low Earth orbit, it is imperative that space agencies adopt a personalized strategy for each astronaut, starting from pre-emptive personalized pre-clinical approaches through to individualized countermeasures to minimize harmful physiological changes and find targeted treatment for disease. Advances in space medicine can also be translated to terrestrial applications, and vice versa. This review places the astronaut at the center of personalized medicine, will appraise existing evidence and future preclinical tools as well as clinical, ethical and legal considerations for future space travel.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium.,Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alexander Choukér
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Judith-Irina Buchheim
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Bjorn Baselet
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Cinzia Dello Russo
- Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Pharmacology, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science and Wolfson Centre for Personalized Medicine, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology (ISMIB), University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Monica Monici
- ASA Campus Joint Laboratory, ASA Research Division, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Dimitri Gagliardi
- Manchester Institute of Innovation Research, Alliance Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Julia Caroline Stingl
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Leonardo Surdo
- Space Applications Services NV/SA for the European Space Agency, Noordwijk, Netherlands
| | - Vincent Lai Ming Yip
- MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science and Wolfson Centre for Personalized Medicine, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology (ISMIB), University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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9
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Buchheim JI, Billaud JN, Feuerecker M, Strewe C, Dangoisse C, Osterman A, Mehta S, Crucian B, Schelling G, Choukér A. Exploratory RNA-seq analysis in healthy subjects reveals vulnerability to viral infections during a 12- month period of isolation and confinement. Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 9:100145. [PMID: 34589891 PMCID: PMC8474453 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2020.100145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to stressful environments weakens immunity evidenced by a detectable reactivation of dormant viruses. The mechanism behind this observation remains unclear. We performed next generation sequencing from RNA extracted from blood samples of 8 male subjects collected before, during and after a 12-month stay at the Antarctic station Concordia. RNA-seq data analysis was done using QIAGEN Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software. Data revealed the inactivation of key immune functions such as chemotaxis and leukocyte recruitment which persisted after return. Next to the activation of the stress response eIF2 pathway, interferon signaling was predicted inactivated due to a downregulation of 14 downstream genes involved in antiviral immunity. Among them, the interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) IFITM2 and 3 as well as IFIT3 exhibited the strongest fold changes and IFIT3 remained downregulated even after return. Impairment of antiviral immunity in winter-over crew can be explained by the downregulation of a battery of ISGs. Whole blood transcriptome analysis during 12-months of isolation in the Antarctic. Data show an inactivation of key immune functions and pathways without recovery. The IFN pathway is most affected showing a downregulation of 14 downstream genes. The results suggest impairment of antiviral immunity and vulnerability to infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith-Irina Buchheim
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital of the University of Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Matthias Feuerecker
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital of the University of Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Claudia Strewe
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital of the University of Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Carole Dangoisse
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital, Bangor, Wales, UK
| | - Andreas Osterman
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, LMU München, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Gustav Schelling
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital of the University of Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexander Choukér
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital of the University of Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
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10
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Brizzolari A, Dei Cas M, Cialoni D, Marroni A, Morano C, Samaja M, Paroni R, Rubino FM. High-Throughput Griess Assay of Nitrite and Nitrate in Plasma and Red Blood Cells for Human Physiology Studies under Extreme Conditions. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26154569. [PMID: 34361720 PMCID: PMC8348835 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26154569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The metabolism of nitric oxide plays an increasingly interesting role in the physiological response of the human body to extreme environmental conditions, such as underwater, in an extremely cold climate, and at low oxygen concentrations. Field studies need the development of analytical methods to measure nitrite and nitrate in plasma and red blood cells with high requirements of accuracy, precision, and sensitivity. An optimized spectrophotometric Griess method for nitrite–nitrate affords sensitivity in the low millimolar range and precision within ±2 μM for both nitrite and nitrate, requiring 100 μL of scarcely available plasma sample or less than 50 μL of red blood cells. A scheduled time-efficient procedure affords measurement of as many as 80 blood samples, with combined nitrite and nitrate measurement in plasma and red blood cells. Performance and usefulness were tested in pilot studies that use blood fractions deriving from subjects who dwelt in an Antarctica scientific station and on breath-holding and scuba divers who performed training at sea and in a land-based deep pool facility. The method demonstrated adequate to measure low basal concentrations of nitrite and high production of nitrate as a consequence of water column pressure-triggered vasodilatation in deep-water divers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Brizzolari
- Laboratory for Analytical Toxicology and Metabonomics, Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, v. A. di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy;
- DAN Europe Research Division, Contrada Padune, 64026 Roseto degli Abruzzi, Italy; (D.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Michele Dei Cas
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Mass Spectrometry, Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, v. A. di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy; (M.D.C.); (C.M.); (R.P.)
| | - Danilo Cialoni
- DAN Europe Research Division, Contrada Padune, 64026 Roseto degli Abruzzi, Italy; (D.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Alessandro Marroni
- DAN Europe Research Division, Contrada Padune, 64026 Roseto degli Abruzzi, Italy; (D.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Camillo Morano
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Mass Spectrometry, Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, v. A. di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy; (M.D.C.); (C.M.); (R.P.)
| | - Michele Samaja
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, v. A. di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy;
| | - Rita Paroni
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Mass Spectrometry, Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, v. A. di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy; (M.D.C.); (C.M.); (R.P.)
| | - Federico Maria Rubino
- DAN Europe Research Division, Contrada Padune, 64026 Roseto degli Abruzzi, Italy; (D.C.); (A.M.)
- Correspondence:
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11
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Ponomarev S, Kalinin S, Sadova A, Rykova M, Orlova K, Crucian B. Immunological Aspects of Isolation and Confinement. Front Immunol 2021; 12:697435. [PMID: 34248999 PMCID: PMC8264770 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.697435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Beyond all doubts, the exploration of outer space is a strategically important and priority sector of the national economy, scientific and technological development of every and particular country, and of all human civilization in general. A number of stress factors, including a prolonged confinement in a limited hermetically sealed space, influence the human body in space on board the spaceship and during the orbital flight. All these factors predominantly negatively affect various functional systems of the organism, in particular, the astronaut's immunity. These ground-based experiments allow to elucidate the effect of confinement in a limited space on both the activation of the immunity and the changes of the immune status in dynamics. Also, due to simulation of one or another emergency situation, such an approach allows the estimation of the influence of an additional psychological stress on the immunity, particularly, in the context of the reserve capacity of the immune system. A sealed chamber seems a convenient site for working out the additional techniques for crew members selection, as well as the countermeasures for negative changes in the astronauts' immune status. In this review we attempted to collect information describing changes in human immunity during isolation experiments with different conditions including short- and long-term experiments in hermetically closed chambers with artificial environment and during Antarctic winter-over.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Ponomarev
- Laboratory of Immune System Physiology, SSC RF-IBMP RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey Kalinin
- Laboratory of Immune System Physiology, SSC RF-IBMP RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasiya Sadova
- Laboratory of Immune System Physiology, SSC RF-IBMP RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina Rykova
- Laboratory of Immune System Physiology, SSC RF-IBMP RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Kseniya Orlova
- Laboratory of Immune System Physiology, SSC RF-IBMP RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Brian Crucian
- Immunology/Virology Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center, Environmental Sciences Branch, Houston, TX, United States
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12
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Cerri M, Hitrec T, Luppi M, Amici R. Be cool to be far: Exploiting hibernation for space exploration. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 128:218-232. [PMID: 34144115 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.03.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In mammals, torpor/hibernation is a state that is characterized by an active reduction in metabolic rate followed by a progressive decrease in body temperature. Torpor was successfully mimicked in non-hibernators by inhibiting the activity of neurons within the brainstem region of the Raphe Pallidus, or by activating the adenosine A1 receptors in the brain. This state, called synthetic torpor, may be exploited for many medical applications, and for space exploration, providing many benefits for biological adaptation to the space environment, among which an enhanced protection from cosmic rays. As regards the use of synthetic torpor in space, to fully evaluate the degree of physiological advantage provided by this state, it is strongly advisable to move from Earth-based experiments to 'in the field' tests, possibly on board the International Space Station.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Cerri
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum -University of Bologna, Piazza di Porta S.Donato, 2 40126, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Timna Hitrec
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum -University of Bologna, Piazza di Porta S.Donato, 2 40126, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Marco Luppi
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum -University of Bologna, Piazza di Porta S.Donato, 2 40126, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Roberto Amici
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum -University of Bologna, Piazza di Porta S.Donato, 2 40126, Bologna, Italy.
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13
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Pham K, Parikh K, Heinrich EC. Hypoxia and Inflammation: Insights From High-Altitude Physiology. Front Physiol 2021; 12:676782. [PMID: 34122145 PMCID: PMC8188852 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.676782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The key regulators of the transcriptional response to hypoxia and inflammation (hypoxia inducible factor, HIF, and nuclear factor-kappa B, NF-κB, respectively) are evolutionarily conserved and share significant crosstalk. Tissues often experience hypoxia and inflammation concurrently at the site of infection or injury due to fluid retention and immune cell recruitment that ultimately reduces the rate of oxygen delivery to tissues. Inflammation can induce activity of HIF-pathway genes, and hypoxia may modulate inflammatory signaling. While it is clear that these molecular pathways function in concert, the physiological consequences of hypoxia-induced inflammation and how hypoxia modulates inflammatory signaling and immune function are not well established. In this review, we summarize known mechanisms of HIF and NF-κB crosstalk and highlight the physiological consequences that can arise from maladaptive hypoxia-induced inflammation. Finally, we discuss what can be learned about adaptive regulation of inflammation under chronic hypoxia by examining adaptive and maladaptive inflammatory phenotypes observed in human populations at high altitude. We aim to provide insight into the time domains of hypoxia-induced inflammation and highlight the importance of hypoxia-induced inflammatory sensitization in immune function, pathologies, and environmental adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Erica C. Heinrich
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
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14
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Gravitational Experimental Platform for Animal Models, a New Platform at ESA's Terrestrial Facilities to Study the Effects of Micro- and Hypergravity on Aquatic and Rodent Animal Models. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22062961. [PMID: 33803957 PMCID: PMC7998548 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22062961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Using rotors to expose animals to different levels of hypergravity is an efficient means of understanding how altered gravity affects physiological functions, interactions between physiological systems and animal development. Furthermore, rotors can be used to prepare space experiments, e.g., conducting hypergravity experiments to demonstrate the feasibility of a study before its implementation and to complement inflight experiments by comparing the effects of micro- and hypergravity. In this paper, we present a new platform called the Gravitational Experimental Platform for Animal Models (GEPAM), which has been part of European Space Agency (ESA)’s portfolio of ground-based facilities since 2020, to study the effects of altered gravity on aquatic animal models (amphibian embryos/tadpoles) and mice. This platform comprises rotors for hypergravity exposure (three aquatic rotors and one rodent rotor) and models to simulate microgravity (cages for mouse hindlimb unloading and a random positioning machine (RPM)). Four species of amphibians can be used at present. All murine strains can be used and are maintained in a specific pathogen-free area. This platform is surrounded by numerous facilities for sample preparation and analysis using state-of-the-art techniques. Finally, we illustrate how GEPAM can contribute to the understanding of molecular and cellular mechanisms and the identification of countermeasures.
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15
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Alkotob SS, Cannedy C, Harter K, Movassagh H, Paudel B, Prunicki M, Sampath V, Schikowski T, Smith E, Zhao Q, Traidl‐Hoffmann C, Nadeau KC. Advances and novel developments in environmental influences on the development of atopic diseases. Allergy 2020; 75:3077-3086. [PMID: 33037680 DOI: 10.1111/all.14624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Although genetic factors play a role in the etiology of atopic disease, the rapid increases in the prevalence of these diseases over the last few decades suggest that environmental, rather than genetic factors are the driving force behind the increasing prevalence. In modern societies, there is increased time spent indoors, use of antibiotics, and consumption of processed foods and decreased contact with farm animals and pets, which limit exposure to environmental allergens, infectious parasitic worms, and microbes. The lack of exposure to these factors is thought to prevent proper education and training of the immune system. Increased industrialization and urbanization have brought about increases in organic and inorganic pollutants. In addition, Caesarian birth, birth order, increased use of soaps and detergents, tobacco smoke exposure and psychosomatic factors are other factors that have been associated with increased rate of allergic diseases. Here, we review current knowledge on the environmental factors that have been shown to affect the development of allergic diseases and the recent developments in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shifaa Suhayl Alkotob
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Department of Medicine Stanford University Stanford CA USA
| | - Cade Cannedy
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Department of Medicine Stanford University Stanford CA USA
| | - Katharina Harter
- Chair and Institute of Environmental Medicine UNIKA‐TTechnical University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum München Augsburg Germany
| | - Hesam Movassagh
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Department of Medicine Stanford University Stanford CA USA
| | - Bibek Paudel
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Department of Medicine Stanford University Stanford CA USA
| | - Mary Prunicki
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Department of Medicine Stanford University Stanford CA USA
| | - Vanitha Sampath
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Department of Medicine Stanford University Stanford CA USA
| | - Tamara Schikowski
- IUF‐Leibniz Institute for Environmental Medicine Duesseldorf Germany
| | - Eric Smith
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Department of Medicine Stanford University Stanford CA USA
| | - Qi Zhao
- IUF‐Leibniz Institute for Environmental Medicine Duesseldorf Germany
| | - Claudia Traidl‐Hoffmann
- Chair and Institute of Environmental Medicine UNIKA‐TTechnical University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum München Augsburg Germany
- CK‐CARE Christine Kühne Center for Allergy Research and Education Davos Switzerland
| | - Kari C. Nadeau
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Department of Medicine Stanford University Stanford CA USA
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16
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Choukér A, Stahn AC. COVID-19-The largest isolation study in history: the value of shared learnings from spaceflight analogs. NPJ Microgravity 2020; 6:32. [PMID: 33110938 PMCID: PMC7582843 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-020-00122-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The world is currently experiencing the largest isolation experiment in history. In an attempt to slow down the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic numerous countries across the world have been shutting down economies, education, and public life. Governments have mandated strict regulations of quarantine and social distancing in an unprecedented manner. The effects of these measures on brain, behavior, neuro-humoral and immunological responses in humans are largely unknown. Life science research for space exploration has a long history in using high-fidelity spaceflight analogs to better understand the effect of prolonged isolation and confinement on genes, molecules, cells, neural circuits, and physiological systems to behavior. We here propose to leverage the extensive experience and data from these studies and build a bridge between spaceflight research and clinical settings to foster transdisciplinary approaches to characterize the neurobehavioral effects on the immune system and vice versa. These approaches are expected to develop innovative and efficient health screening tools, diagnostic systems, and treatments to mitigate health risks associated with isolation and confinement on Earth and during future exploratory spaceflight missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Choukér
- Laboratory of Translational Research “Stress and Immunity”, Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Alexander C. Stahn
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychiatry, Research Section for Behavioral Regulation and Health, 1016 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19004 USA
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17
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Makedonas G, Mehta SK, Scheuring RA, Haddon R, Crucian BE. SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Impacts on NASA Ground Operations to Protect ISS Astronauts. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2020; 8:3247-3250. [PMID: 32971311 PMCID: PMC7503132 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.08.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
NASA implements required medical tests and clinical monitoring to ensure the health and safety of its astronauts. These measures include a pre-launch quarantine to mitigate the risk of infectious diseases. During space missions, most astronauts experience perturbations to their immune system that manifest as a detectable secondary immunodeficiency. On return to Earth, after the stress of re-entry and landing, astronauts would be most vulnerable to infectious disease. In April 2020, a crew returned from International Space Station to NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Post-flight quarantine protocols (both crew and contacts) were enhanced to protect this crew from SARS-CoV-2. In addition, specific additional clinical monitoring was performed to determine post-flight immunocompetence. Given that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prognosis is more severe for the immunocompromised, a countermeasures protocol for spaceflight suggested by an international team of scientists could benefit terrestrial patients with secondary immunodeficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Satish K Mehta
- Immunology & Virology Laboratory, JES Tech, Houston, Texas
| | - Richard A Scheuring
- Space Medicine Division, Health and Human Performance Directorate, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Robert Haddon
- Department of Preventive, Occupational, and Aerospace Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn
| | - Brian E Crucian
- Biomedical Research and Environmental Sciences Division, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas.
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18
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Makedonas G, Mehta S, Choukèr A, Simpson RJ, Marshall G, Orange JS, Aunon-Chancellor S, Smith SM, Zwart SR, Stowe RP, Heer M, Ponomarev S, Whitmire A, Frippiat JP, Douglas GL, Krieger SS, Lorenzi H, Buchheim JI, Ginsburg GS, Ott CM, Downs M, Pierson D, Baecker N, Sams C, Crucian B. Specific Immunologic Countermeasure Protocol for Deep-Space Exploration Missions. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2407. [PMID: 31681296 PMCID: PMC6797618 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alexander Choukèr
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress & Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Richard J Simpson
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Department of Immunobiology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Gailen Marshall
- University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Jordan S Orange
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Scott M Smith
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sara R Zwart
- University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | | | - Martina Heer
- Department of Nutrition, International University of Applied Sciences Bad Honnef, Bad Honnef, Germany
| | - Sergey Ponomarev
- Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Jean P Frippiat
- Stress Immunity Pathogens Laboratory, Lorraine University, Nancy, France
| | | | | | - Hernan Lorenzi
- Infectious Disease Group, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Judith-Irina Buchheim
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress & Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Geoffrey S Ginsburg
- Duke Center for Applied Genomics and Precision Medicine, Durham, CA, United States
| | - C Mark Ott
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Duane Pierson
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Natalie Baecker
- Department of Nutrition, International University of Applied Sciences Bad Honnef, Bad Honnef, Germany
| | - Clarence Sams
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Brian Crucian
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States
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19
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Guo A, Srinath J, Feuerecker M, Crucian B, Briegel J, Boulesteix AL, Kaufmann I, Choukèr A. Immune function testing in sepsis patients receiving sodium selenite. J Crit Care 2019; 52:208-212. [PMID: 31102938 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We examined in a longitudinal study the role of sodium selenite in sepsis patients in strengthening the immune performance in whole blood samples using immune functional assays. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a sub-study from a randomized, double blinded multicenter clinical trial (SISPCT) registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00832039) and with data collected at our center. Full blood samples were incubated with various recall antigens and the supernatants were measured for their cytokine concentrations as markers for immune response. Data from days 0, 4, 7, 14, and 21 (from sepsis onset) were analyzed using a generalized least squares model in R to appropriately take the longitudinal structure and the missing values into account. RESULTS From the 76 patients enrolled in the study at our center, 40 were randomized to selenium therapy and 36 to placebo. The analyses of immune response assay data showed no statistical difference between the selenium and placebo groups at each of the time points. There was however an overall dampening of cytokine release, which tended to recover over time in both groups. CONCLUSION Selenium has long been an adjuvant therapy in treating sepsis. Recently, it was proven to not have beneficial effects on the mortality outcome. Using data from our center in this sub-cohort study, we identified no relative improvement in cytokine release of stimulated blood immune cells ex vivo from patients with selenium therapy over a three-week period. This offers a potential explanation for the lack of beneficial effects of selenium in sepsis patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Guo
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jyotsna Srinath
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Feuerecker
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Brian Crucian
- Johnson Space Center (JSC), NASA, 1601 NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058, USA
| | - Josef Briegel
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anne-Laure Boulesteix
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ines Kaufmann
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Munich-Neuperlach Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexander Choukèr
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
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20
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Strewe C, Moser D, Buchheim JI, Gunga HC, Stahn A, Crucian BE, Fiedel B, Bauer H, Gössmann-Lang P, Thieme D, Kohlberg E, Choukèr A, Feuerecker M. Sex differences in stress and immune responses during confinement in Antarctica. Biol Sex Differ 2019; 10:20. [PMID: 30992051 PMCID: PMC6469129 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-019-0231-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Antarctica challenges human explorers by its extreme environment. The effects of these unique conditions on the human physiology need to be understood to best mitigate health problems in Antarctic expedition crews. Moreover, Antarctica is an adequate Earth-bound analogue for long-term space missions. To date, its effects on human physiology have been studied mainly in male cohorts though more female expeditioners and applicants in astronaut training programs are selected. Therefore, the identification of sex differences in stress and immune reactions are becoming an even more essential aim to provide a more individualized risk management. Methods Ten female and 16 male subjects participated in three 1-year expeditions to the German Antarctic Research Station Neumayer III. Blood, saliva, and urine samples were taken 1–2 months prior to departure, subsequently every month during their expedition, and 3–4 months after return from Antarctica. Analyses included cortisol, catecholamine and endocannabinoid measurements; psychological evaluation; differential blood count; and recall antigen- and mitogen-stimulated cytokine profiles. Results Cortisol showed significantly higher concentrations in females than males during winter whereas no enhanced psychological stress was detected in both sexes. Catecholamine excretion was higher in males than females but never showed significant increases compared to baseline. Endocannabinoids and N-acylethanolamides increased significantly in both sexes and stayed consistently elevated during the confinement. Cytokine profiles after in vitro stimulation revealed no sex differences but resulted in significant time-dependent changes. Hemoglobin and hematocrit were significantly higher in males than females, and hemoglobin increased significantly in both sexes compared to baseline. Platelet counts were significantly higher in females than males. Leukocytes and granulocyte concentrations increased during confinement with a dip for both sexes in winter whereas lymphocytes were significantly elevated in both sexes during the confinement. Conclusions The extreme environment of Antarctica seems to trigger some distinct stress and immune responses but—with the exception of cortisol and blood cell counts—without any major relevant sex-specific differences. Stated sex differences were shown to be independent of enhanced psychological stress and seem to be related to the environmental conditions. However, sources and consequences of these sex differences have to be further elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Strewe
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Marchioninistraße 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - D Moser
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Marchioninistraße 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - J-I Buchheim
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Marchioninistraße 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - H-C Gunga
- Institut für Physiologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - A Stahn
- Institut für Physiologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - B E Crucian
- NASA - Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - B Fiedel
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - H Bauer
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - P Gössmann-Lang
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - D Thieme
- Institute of Doping Analysis und Sports Biochemistry, Kreischa, Germany
| | - E Kohlberg
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - A Choukèr
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Marchioninistraße 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
| | - M Feuerecker
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Marchioninistraße 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
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Strewe C, Thieme D, Dangoisse C, Fiedel B, van den Berg F, Bauer H, Salam AP, Gössmann-Lang P, Campolongo P, Moser D, Quintens R, Moreels M, Baatout S, Kohlberg E, Schelling G, Choukèr A, Feuerecker M. Modulations of Neuroendocrine Stress Responses During Confinement in Antarctica and the Role of Hypobaric Hypoxia. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1647. [PMID: 30534078 PMCID: PMC6276713 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Antarctic continent is an environment of extreme conditions. Only few research stations exist that are occupied throughout the year. The German station Neumayer III and the French-Italian Concordia station are such research platforms and human outposts. The seasonal shifts of complete daylight (summer) to complete darkness (winter) as well as massive changes in outside temperatures (down to -80°C at Concordia) during winter result in complete confinement of the crews from the outside world. In addition, the crew at Concordia is subjected to hypobaric hypoxia of ∼650 hPa as the station is situated at high altitude (3,233 m). We studied three expedition crews at Neumayer III (sea level) (n = 16) and two at Concordia (high altitude) (n = 15) to determine the effects of hypobaric hypoxia on hormonal/metabolic stress parameters [endocannabinoids (ECs), catecholamines, and glucocorticoids] and evaluated the psychological stress over a period of 11 months including winter confinement. In the Neumayer III (sea level) crew, EC and n-acylethanolamide (NAE) concentrations increased significantly already at the beginning of the deployment (p < 0.001) whereas catecholamines and cortisol remained unaffected. Over the year, ECs and NAEs stayed elevated and fluctuated before slowly decreasing till the end of the deployment. The classical stress hormones showed small increases in the last third of deployment. By contrast, at Concordia (high altitude), norepinephrine concentrations increased significantly at the beginning (p < 0.001) which was paralleled by low EC levels. Prior to the second half of deployment, norepinephrine declined constantly to end on a low plateau level, whereas then the EC concentrations increased significantly in this second period during the overwintering (p < 0.001). Psychometric data showed no significant changes in the crews at either station. These findings demonstrate that exposition of healthy humans to the physically challenging extreme environment of Antarctica (i) has a distinct modulating effect on stress responses. Additionally, (ii) acute high altitude/hypobaric hypoxia at the beginning seem to trigger catecholamine release that downregulates the EC response. These results (iii) are not associated with psychological stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Strewe
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Detlef Thieme
- Institute of Doping Analysis and Sports Biochemistry, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Barbara Fiedel
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | | | - Holger Bauer
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Alex P Salam
- IPEV/PNRA-ESA Antarctic Program, Brest, Antarctica
| | - Petra Gössmann-Lang
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Patrizia Campolongo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Dominique Moser
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Roel Quintens
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCKCEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Marjan Moreels
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCKCEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCKCEN), Mol, Belgium.,Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eberhard Kohlberg
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Gustav Schelling
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexander Choukèr
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Feuerecker
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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