Adaptive Immunity and Spaceflight

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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 and likely countermeasures. Potential causes for these alterations are discussed elsewhere in this volume ( Chap. 9), as are spaceflight effects on the function of the innate immune system ( Chap. 10).

Keywords

Normal Gravity Phorbol Myristate Acetate Immune Dysregulation Simulated Microgravity Immune Cell Subset 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.NASA-Johnson Space CenterHoustonUSA

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