Immune system in space: General introduction and observations on stress-sensitive regulations

Abstract

Numerous studies have indicated that spaceflight results in dysregulation of the human immune system. This phenomenon has been well documented following flight, where landing and re-adaptation are significant stressors. There is some limited in-flight data which indicates that immune changes do occur during spaceflight. Persistent decrements in the function of specific innate or adaptive immune cells, or alterations in cytokine production profiles, could result in clinical risk to crewmembers participating in exploration-class space missions. This chapter will introduce the immune system and innate versus adaptive immunity. How stress and spaceflight affects the immune system will be discussed, including alterations in the peripheral blood levels of specific immune cells during spaceflight. Subsequent chapters will explore the concepts of spaceflight, immunity, stress, and latent herpes virus reactivation in more detail.