Differential effects of hypergravity on immune dysfunctions induced by simulated microgravity

Moser, Dominique ; Biere, Katharina; Liemersdorf, Christian; Tuschen, Marina; Hemmersbach, Ruth and Chouker, Alexander (2023): Differential effects of hypergravity on immune dysfunctions induced by simulated microgravity. In: The FASEB Journal, Vol. 37, No. 5

Abstract

Microgravity (μg) is among the major stressors in space causing immune cell dysregulations. These are frequently expressed as increased pro-inflammatory states of monocytes and reduced activation capacities in T cells. Hypergravity (as artificial gravity) has shown to have beneficial effects on the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular system both as a countermeasure option for μg-related deconditioning and as “gravitational therapy” on Earth. Since the impact of hypergravity on immune cells is sparsely explored, we investigated if an application of “mild” mechanical loading of 2.8 g is able to avoid or treat μg-mediated immune dysregulations. For this, T cell and monocyte activation states and cytokine pattern were first analyzed after whole blood antigen incubation in simulated μg (s-μg) by using the principle of fast clinorotation or in hypergravity. Subsequent hypergravity countermeasure approaches were run at three different sequences: one preconditioning setting, where 2.8 g was applied before s-μg exposure and two therapeutic approaches in which 2.8 g was set either intermediately or at the end of s-μg. In single g-grade exposure experiments, monocyte pro-inflammatory state was enhanced in s-μg and reduced in hypergravity, whereas T cells displayed reduced activation when antigen incubation was performed in s-μg. Hypergravity application in all three sequences did not alleviate the increased pro-inflammatory potential of monocytes. However, in T cells the preconditioning approach restored antigen-induced CD69 expression and IFNγ secretion to 1 g control values and beyond. This in vitro study demonstrates a proof of concept that mild hypergravity is a gravitational preconditioning option to avoid adaptive immune cell dysfunctions induced by (s-)μg and that it may act as a booster of immune cell functions.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Medicine > Medical Center of the University of Munich > Clinic for Anaesthesiology
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• ISSN: 0892-6638
• Language: English