MOUSE ANTIGEN SPECIFIC CD4+^ T CELL PRIMING AND MEMORY RESPONSE DURING SPACEFLIGHT
(MOUSE IMMUNOLOGY)
Research Area: Animal Biology – Vertebrates
Expedition(s): 23 and 24
Principal Investigator(s): ● Millie Hughes-Fulford, PhD, University of California, San
Francisco, California
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The Mouse Antigen-Specific CD4+ T Cell Priming and Memory Response during Spaceflight
(Mouse Immunology) investigation studies specific mechanisms of immune system activation,
and whether immune system cells exposed to challenges before flight retain the “memory” to
fight challenges during spaceflight. Space Explorers on future long-duration space missions may
require preflight vaccinations or other precautions to prevent infection during space travel if
immune memory is not retained.
EARTH BENEFITS
Understanding the mechanisms of immune regulation is critical to the design of rational
therapeutic interventions of these various disease processes. The immunosuppression
observed during spaceflight provides
important insight into the role of gravity in the
generation of normal immune responses.
Deciphering the mechanisms of spaceflight
immunosuppression provides a more
complete picture of the important factors
necessary for successful immune responses
that may be masked in Earth-based
experiments in the presence of gravity. These
gravity-sensitive factors may hold the key to
our ability to manipulate the immune system
and develop therapeutic interventions to treat
the various disease processes affected by
immunodysregulation. Dysregulated immune
tolerance (overactive immune system) is
linked to autoimmune diseases such as type I
diabetes mellitus, systemic lupus
erythematosus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis,
and multiple sclerosis. On
the other hand, many disease processes result
from immunosuppression (underactive
immune system).
SPACE BENEFITS
Spaceflight immunosuppression is a significant obstacle to long-term human space travel. Of
foremost concern is whether space travelers may be able to generate effective protective
Image of the Animal Enclosure Module that houses
the rodents used in the Mouse Immunology
investigation. NASA’s Ames Research Center
image, Moffett Field, California.