The spaceflight environment influences immune cell distribution, EX vivo responses to antigen, and cytokine expression. However, few studies have characterized the impact of the spaceflight…

This is a federal research grant awarded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to Loma Linda University (LLU), a private non-profit educational institution located in Loma Linda, California. The grant, with a ceiling value of $2,250,151.00, is focused on studying the impact of the spaceflight environment on the host immune response, particularly the effects on B cells and antibody production. The study will utilize a mouse model to establish a link between exposure to the spaceflight environment and decrements in immune system activation. This research has the potential to provide insights into the compromises to immunological health that may occur in space. The grant does not have a set-aside designation, and the ultimate completion date is July 31, 2023. LLU has extensive experience as both a prime contractor and subcontractor supporting various federal agencies, particularly in areas related to healthcare delivery, biomedical research, and workforce development.

The spaceflight environment influences immune cell distribution, EX vivo responses to antigen, and cytokine expression. However, few studies have characterized the impact of the spaceflight environment on the host immune response following an in vivo immune challenge, particularly those involving b cells and antibody production. The international space station (ISS) provides an ideallaboratory within which investigators can explore this unique environment and its impact on the host response. Through the use of a mouse model (with an immune system that closely parallels that of humans), we will establish a link between exposure to the spaceflight environment and decrements in immune system activation. This study is significant because IT will directly test the hypothesis that host immunological health will be compromised in space