Fact Sheet

Space Flight Induced Reactivation of Latent Epstein-Barr Virus (Epstein-Barr)
12.08.09

Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Images

Experiment/Payload Overview

Brief Summary

Space Flight-Induced Reactivation of Latent Epstein-Barr Virus (Epstein-Barr) performs tests to study changes in the human immune function. Using blood and urine samples collected from crewmembers before and after spaceflight, the study will provide insight for possible countermeasures to prevent the potential development of infectious illness in crewmembers during flight.

Principal Investigator

  • Raymond Stowe, Ph.D., Microgen Labs, La Marque, TX

    • Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

  • Duane L. Pierson, Ph.D., Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
  • Clarence F. Sams, Ph.D., Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX

    • Payload Developer

    Johnson Space Center, Human Research Program, Houston, TX

    Sponsoring Agency

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

    Expeditions Assigned

    |5|6|11|12|13|14|15|16|17|

    Previous ISS Missions

    Epstein-Barr was performed during ISS Expeditions 5, 6 and 11 - 17.

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    Experiment/Payload Description

    Research Summary

    • As space flight mission durations increase, the potential development of infectious illness in crewmembers during flight also increases. This is especially true with latent viruses (viruses that lie dormant in cells, such as herpes viruses that cause cold sores) and infections caused by these viruses which are not mitigated by a quarantine period.


    • An example of a latent infection is Epstein-Barr virus, of which approximately 90 percent of the adult population is infected. Stress and other acute/chronic events reactivate this virus from latency, which results in increased virus replication.


    • Space Flight-Induced Reactivation of Latent Epstein-Barr Virus (Epstein-Barr) will assess the immune system response to this virus using blood and urine samples collected before and after space flight.

    Description

    In the United States, approximately 95 percent of adults have been infected with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), one of the most common of human viruses and a member of the herpes virus family. EBV is an initial infection that establishes a lifelong dormant infection inside the body that can be reactivated by illness or stress. Once active, EBV causes infectious mononucleosis, cancers, and other disorders associated with the lymphatic system in people with a compromised immune system.

    Decreased cellular immune function, likely caused by a combination of the microgravity environment and the stresses associated with a mission, is experienced by astronauts in space flight. With longer duration missions, it is hypothesized that latent viruses are more likely to be reactivated, placing the crew at risk of developing and spreading infectious illnesses and jeopardizing the mission. Preliminary studies of astronauts have shown increased EBV shedding (the means by which viruses reproduce) in the saliva and increased antibody titers to the virus' proteins.

    This study is examining the levels to which the crew's immune systems are suppressed during space flight and identifying conditions under which the virus will reactivate. To conduct Space Flight-Induced Reactivation of Latent Epstein-Barr Virus (Epstein-Barr), investigators collect urine and blood samples preflight and again postflight. The samples are analyzed for stress hormones and cytokines (messengers of the immune system), EBV replication, and virus-specific T-cell immune function. Epstein-Barr will determine the levels to which the crew's immune systems are suppressed during space flight and identify conditions under which EBV will reactivate.

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    Applications

    Space Applications

    In the United States, approximately 90 percent of adults have been infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), one of the most common human viruses. It establishes a lifelong dormant infection inside the body, but can be reactivated by illness or stress. Once active, it can cause infectious mononucleosis (also known as mono). Decreased cellular immune function is observed during and after human space flight. With longer duration space missions, latent viruses are more likely to become reactivated, placing the crew at risk of developing and spreading infectious illness. If this is the case, drug therapies must be created to protect crewmembers during long-term and interplanetary missions (i.e. trips to Mars). This study will help provide information related to immune function and virus activity in space to develop such remedies and ensure future exploratory space missions.

    Earth Applications

    This type of study could shed more light on infectious diseases, how they are related to stress here on Earth and how they can be treated.

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    Operations

    Operational Requirements

    Epstein-Barr has no inflight requirements.

    Operational Protocols

    The investigators will collect urine and blood samples preflight at launch minus (L-180, L-44, L-10, and L-3) and again after flight return plus (landing day, R+3, R+14, and R+180) from Station expedition crews (starting with Expedition 5) for a total of 18 subjects. For Shuttle crews (starting with STS-108) samples will be collected preflight (L-180, L-65, L-10 and L-3) and again after flight (landing day, R+3, R+14 and R+180) for a total of 62 participants.

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    Results/More Information

    The Epstein-Barr investigation has been completed. Earlier studies aboard space shuttle, which were the predecessors to this one, suggested that virus reactivation results from decreased T-cell function. If Epstein-Barr yields similar results, it will allow for a very specific focus on developing drug therapies that will allow for more rapid treatment for space travelers as well as for those on Earth.

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    Related Web Sites
  • Life Sciences Data Archive
  • Scientists measure space-stress activation of stowaway viruses; microbes may menace Mars explorers and others

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    Publications

    Results Publications

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      Related Publications
      • Crucian BE, Stowe RP, Pierson DL, Sams CF. Immune System Dysregulation Following Short- vs Long-Duration Spaceflight. Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine. ;79(9):835 - 843. 2008
      • Pierson DL, Stowe RP, Phillips TM, Lugg DJ, Mehta SK. Epstein-Barr Virus Shedding by Astronauts During Space Flight. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. ;19:235-242, 2005
      • Sonnenfeld G. The immune system in space and microgravity. Medicine and Science in Sports Exercise. ;34(12):2021-2027. 2002
      • Stowe RP, Pierson DL, Feeback DL, Barrett AD. Stress-induced reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus in astronauts. Neuroimmunomodulation. ;8(2):51-58. 2000
      • Stowe RP, Pierson DL, Barrett AD. Elevated stress hormone levels relate to Epstein-Barr virus reactivation in astronauts. Psychosomatic Medicine. ;63(6):891-895. 2001
      • Stowe RP, Pierson DL, Barrett AD. Space flight-induced reactivation of latent Epstein-Barr virus. Proceedings of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. ;Technical paper 4904. 2001

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      Images

      imageA colored, computer generated depiction of an Epstein-Barr virus particle.
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      imageEpstein-Barr virus shown using the fluorescent antibody staining technique.
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      Information Provided and Updated by the ISS Program Scientist's Office
      Find this article at:
      http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/science/experiments/Epstein-Barr.html