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Adaptive Immunity and Spaceflight

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Stress Challenges and Immunity in Space

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Abstract

Spaceflight causes alterations in human immunity, a finding which has been well documented immediately following spaceflight. Limited in-flight studies have also confirmed that to some degree immunity is compromised during spaceflight. A comprehensive understanding of the nature of these immune changes is lacking. This chapter reviews the current evidence regarding spaceflight effects on the function of the adaptive immune system, and speculates on potential adverse clinical outcomes. Potential causes for these alterations are discussed elsewhere in this volume (Chap. 11), as are spaceflight effects on the function of the innate immune system (Chap. 12).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NASA-Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Brian Crucian, George Makedonas & Clarence Sams

  2. JES Tech, Houston, TX, USA

    George Makedonas

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  1. Brian Crucian
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  2. George Makedonas
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Correspondence to Brian Crucian .

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  1. Laboratory of Translational Research Stress and Immunity Department of Anaesthesiology, Hospital of the University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany

    Alexander Choukèr

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Crucian, B., Makedonas, G., Sams, C. (2020). Adaptive Immunity and Spaceflight. In: Choukèr, A. (eds) Stress Challenges and Immunity in Space. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16996-1_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16996-1_14

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