NASA Ames Research Center, Space Biosciences, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; Universities Space Research Association (USRA), Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.
Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.
Cell Rep. 2020 Dec 8;33(10):108434. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108434. Epub 2020 Nov 25.
Deep space exploration will require real-time, minimally invasive monitoring of astronaut health to mitigate the potential health impairments caused by space radiation and microgravity. Genotoxic stress in humans can be monitored by quantifying the amount of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in immune cells from a simple finger prick. In a cohort of 674 healthy donors, we show that the endogenous level of DSBs increases with age and with latent cytomegalovirus infection. To map the range of human responses to space radiation, we then study DSB induction and repair in immune cells from 319 healthy donors after the cells are exposed to galactic cosmic ray components and lymphocytes from 30 cancer patients after radiotherapy. Individuals with low baseline DSB have fewer clinical complications, enhanced DNA damage repair responses, and a functional dose-dependent cytokine response in healthy donor cells. This supports the use of DSB monitoring for health resilience in space.
深空探索将需要实时、微创监测宇航员的健康，以减轻太空辐射和微重力可能对健康造成的损害。人类的遗传毒性应激可以通过定量检测免疫细胞中的 DNA 双链断裂（DSB）来监测。在一组 674 名健康供体中，我们发现 DSB 的内源性水平随年龄和潜伏性巨细胞病毒感染而增加。为了绘制人类对太空辐射反应的范围图，我们随后研究了 319 名健康供体的免疫细胞在暴露于银河宇宙射线成分后以及 30 名癌症患者的淋巴细胞在放射治疗后 DSB 的诱导和修复。基线 DSB 水平较低的个体临床并发症较少，DNA 损伤修复反应增强，健康供体细胞的细胞因子反应具有功能依赖性。这支持使用 DSB 监测来提高太空环境下的健康适应能力。
