Preventive and therapeutic strategies to counter immune system dysfunctioning during spaceflight

Abstract

Previous chapters have provided some insight into the regulation of immune responses under spaceflight conditions which correspond to a unique combination of psychosocial and physical stressors. This multitude of factors affect almost all components of the immune system, potentially leading to compromised host defense against infections, and could consequently have an immediate impact on mission performance. This chapter introduces some strategies that are potentially helpful to mitigate the risk of immune dysfunction under conditions of long-duration spaceflight. Indeed, in a foreseeable time frame, man may voyage and explore the surfaces of solid bodies whose surface conditions are not too hostile for humans such as those of the Moon, Mars, phobos, and deimos (the two satellites of Mars).