Hindlimb suspension and SPE-like radiation impairs clearance of bacterial infections.
A major risk of extended space travel is the combined effects of weightlessness and radiation exposure on the immune system. In this study, we used the hindlimb suspension model of microgravity that includes the other space stressors, situational and confinement stress and alterations in food intake, and solar particle event (SPE)-like radiation to measure the combined effects on the ability to control bacterial infections. A massive increase in morbidity and decrease in the ability to control bacterial growth was observed using 2 different types of bacteria delivered by systemic and pulmonary routes in 3 different strains of mice. These data suggest that an astronaut exposed to a strong SPE during extended space travel is at increased risk for the development of infections that could potentially be severe and interfere with mission success and astronaut health.
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Minghong
M
Li
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Veronica
V
Holmes
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Yu
Y
Zhou
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Houping
H
Ni
Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Jenine K
JK
Sanzari
Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Ann R
AR
Kennedy
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Drew
D
Weissman
D000818:Animals; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D019417:Hindlimb Suspension; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000528:radiation effects; D007710:Klebsiella Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D019445:Solar Activity; D013026:Space Flight; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*
D003345:Corticosterone