Published
24/03/2026 às 01:00
Updated
24/03/2026 às 11:11
Changes in immune cells during weeks in space require attention because they can increase health risks and influence the planning of extended space travel.
O immune The astronauts’ behavior undergoes changes while they remain in International Space StationAnd this becomes even more significant when the objective involves increasingly longer missions. The human body wasn’t designed to live outside of gravity, and some of the challenges arise from within, with subtle adjustments to essential functions.
Early in the adaptation process, nausea and discomfort may arise because bodily fluids no longer follow the logic imposed by gravity. Over time, the focus shifts to more lasting effects, such as bone density loss, exposure to space radiation, and changes in complex systems, including the… immunity.
On board the station, the routine includes protocols and experiments to protect the crew’s health and pave the way for future generations. A recent investigation observed the behavior of cells linked to the reprogramming of the immune system and the body’s balance, using the cell line. THP 1which reflects the performance of monocytes and macrophages.
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The absence of gravity changes how the body distributes fluids, and this helps explain why many astronauts report nausea upon arrival at space. International Space StationWithout a clear direction for internal movement, the body needs to find a new point of equilibrium, which can cause discomfort until adaptation takes hold.
This initial effect is visible, but it is not the only one. The same change in environment opens the door to deeper alterations in biological processes, especially when the stay extends for weeks, increasing the importance of constant monitoring and protection strategies.
How the SpaceX Dragon capsule carried frozen samples and ensured analysis on Earth.
The return of the samples was a crucial step in understanding what happens to immune cells in space conditions. At the moment the capsule Spacex dragon Amerisou, samples cultivated for weeks were preserved in 80 degrees Celsius below 0, protected from vibrations and the hypergravity of reentry.
With the material secured, the work shifted to extracting and analyzing data, a step focused on confirming biological patterns. The goal was to observe whether immune cells change their behavior when exposed for weeks to conditions that are unusual on Earth but common in space, such as… microgravity e ionizing radiation.
What was observed in THP 1 cells and the impact on monocytes and macrophages.
The cell phone line THP 1 It was used because it offered a clear picture of how they behave. monocytes and macrophagesCells that help organize defense responses and influence the functioning of various tissues. Alterations in this axis can reverberate in processes of inflammation, repair, and balance in the body.
The changes identified They were described as significant, with the potential to affect everything from wound healing to risks related to the cardiovascular system. This matters because, in long missions, any failure in inflammatory response or repair can turn into a major problem in an environment with limited resources.
Changes in the heart, blood pressure, and arteries come to the forefront during long stays.
Cardiac abnormalities have been observed in astronauts who have spent long periods in space. International Space StationBlood pressure can change and the heart muscle tends to atrophy because the effort to overcome gravity and pump blood to the upper body ceases to exist.
Radiation also appears as a stress factor, capable of accelerating the degeneration of coronary arteries and increasing the stiffness of vessels such as aorta e carotidThis scenario can induce atherosclerosis. In prolonged missions, this set of changes reinforces the need for prevention and physiological monitoring.
RYR2 gene expression changes and may be linked to calcium control in cardiac pumping.
Another point observed was the alteration in gene expression. RYR2 In the model studied, this gene participates in controlling the calcium intake necessary for the heart’s pumping action, which helps connect the genetic change to possible abnormalities in cardiac function.
This link is gaining attention because alterations in calcium flow can affect the contraction of the heart muscle. In an environment where microgravity and radiation act simultaneously, adjustments in genes related to the heart can become a critical component of the accumulated risk.
One of the most worrying signs was the reduction in activity of at least 52 genes involved in the repair of DNAWith a reduced capacity to repair damage, the body may become more vulnerable to the impact of radiation and the natural wear and tear of time, opening the door to premature aging.
The practical consequence is direct for long-distance missions, since prolonged exposure to radiation and physiological stress can increase the chance of age-related diseases appearing earlier. This risk adds to other known effects of space, forming a set that requires integrated solutions.
The expectation with these findings is to support the development of drugs capable of supplementing the activity of genes that become dysregulated in space, creating an extra layer of protection for the crew. The goal is to make flights safer in both the short and long term, reducing the cost that astronauts may incur in terms of their own health after returning.
With space travel advancing to longer durations, understanding what happens to immunity, heart e DNA repair It ceases to be a scientific curiosity and becomes a planning requirement. Each adjustment identified serves as a signal for more robust protocols, focused on preserving the organism in one of the most extreme environments ever faced by humankind.
