EFFECT OF SPACEFLIGHT ON INNATE IMMUNITY TO RESPIRATORY VIRAL INFECTIONS (MOUSE
IMMUNOLOGY-2)
Research Area: Animal Biology – Vertebrates
Expedition(s): 25 and 26
Principal Investigator(s): ● Roberto P. Garofalo, MD, The University of Texas Medical
Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The Effect of Spaceflight on Innate Immunity to
Respiratory Viral Infections (Mouse Immunology-
2) investigates the effects of microgravity on
immune function to fight Respiratory Syncytial
Virus (RSV). In microgravity, crew members
experience changes in immune function. These
studies help scientists determine the biological
significance of spaceflight induced changes in
immune responses.EARTH BENEFITS
Understanding the function of the immune system
during spaceflight may have great relevance to
our understanding of the process of aging and/or
stress-related immunomodulation (adjustments
in the level of an immune response) on Earth.
In particular, studying the innate host response
against pathogens during/after spaceflight
provides novel data on the function of the
respiratory mucosal response to viral pathogens.SPACE BENEFITS
These investigations are expected to generate new scientific evidence of the immune pathways
that are affected in antiviral host response during spaceflight and possible preventive or
therapeutic approaches applicable to future space missions.
RESULTS
This experiment has produced a significant amount of data and researchers are currently in the
process of writing a manuscript to submit for peer review.
This investigation is complete; however additional results are pending publication.
Electron micrograph image of an RSV virion
budding from an infected cell. Courtesy of Dr
Roberto Garofalo, University of Texas Medical
Branch, Galveston.