Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Astrid Senko, Senior Graeme Grainger, Junior Angela Cebula, Senior
Lead Presenter's Name
Astrid Senko
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Arts and Sciences
Faculty Mentor Name
Amber Paul
Abstract
Astronauts on long-duration space missions are exposed to significant environmental stressors, including microgravity and various forms of ionizing radiation. These stressors can cause physiological and cellular adaptations which can lead to significant implications on immune function. Understanding how these spaceflight conditions alter immune response is essential, particularly in the context of immune cell structure and function. This study examines whether spaceflight stressors alter T cell phenotypes in mice which can result in disrupted immune homeostasis, resulting in the potential for increased susceptibility to infections and persistent inflammation. To simulate spaceflight conditions, male and female, 24-week old, C57BL/6J mice were exposed to social isolation, 5-ion simulated galactic cosmic radiation (GCRsim, 15 cGy), and hindlimb unloading (HU). Two-weeks post-radiation exposure, T cells were isolated and stimulated with cell stimulation cocktail (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin) for 12hrs and analyzed via flow cytometry to assess polarizing T cell phenotypes relative to the controls. Ongoing analysis aims to analyze the specific change in T cells, providing insight on the mechanisms for spaceflight-induced dysregulations. Identifying these regulations is essential to develop future countermeasures to preserve immune regulation and prevent health risks in astronauts over extended missions.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Galactic Cosmic Radiation and Microgravity-Induced Changes of Murine T Cell FunctionSENKOA@my.erau.edu
Astronauts on long-duration space missions are exposed to significant environmental stressors, including microgravity and various forms of ionizing radiation. These stressors can cause physiological and cellular adaptations which can lead to significant implications on immune function. Understanding how these spaceflight conditions alter immune response is essential, particularly in the context of immune cell structure and function. This study examines whether spaceflight stressors alter T cell phenotypes in mice which can result in disrupted immune homeostasis, resulting in the potential for increased susceptibility to infections and persistent inflammation. To simulate spaceflight conditions, male and female, 24-week old, C57BL/6J mice were exposed to social isolation, 5-ion simulated galactic cosmic radiation (GCRsim, 15 cGy), and hindlimb unloading (HU). Two-weeks post-radiation exposure, T cells were isolated and stimulated with cell stimulation cocktail (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin) for 12hrs and analyzed via flow cytometry to assess polarizing T cell phenotypes relative to the controls. Ongoing analysis aims to analyze the specific change in T cells, providing insight on the mechanisms for spaceflight-induced dysregulations. Identifying these regulations is essential to develop future countermeasures to preserve immune regulation and prevent health risks in astronauts over extended missions.