Lesson 1: Introduction to Space Immunology

Grade Level

Grades 9-12

Subject Areas

Biology
Chemistry
Space Science

Duration

2-3 class periods (90-135 minutes)

Learning Objectives

Understand the basic components and functions of the human immune system
Explain how microgravity affects immune cell function and distribution
Analyze real NASA data on astronaut immunity changes
Identify health risks associated with immune dysregulation in space
Evaluate the implications for long-duration space missions

Materials Needed

Computer with internet access
NASA Open Science Data Repository (OSDR) access
Laboratory notebooks
Whiteboard/presentation materials
Student handouts with immune system diagrams
NASA Twins Study overview materials

Prior Knowledge Required

Basic cell biology
Understanding of body systems
General knowledge of space exploration

Lesson Content

Introduction (15 minutes)

Hook: Show video footage of astronauts on the ISS. Ask students: "What hidden dangers might astronauts face in space that we can't see?"

Key Question: How does living in space affect the body's ability to fight disease?

Part 1: Review of the Immune System (25 minutes)

Components of Immunity

Innate Immunity
Physical barriers (skin, mucous membranes)
Chemical barriers (stomach acid, enzymes)
Cellular defenses (macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells)
Adaptive Immunity
T Lymphocytes (T cells)
- Helper T cells
- Cytotoxic T cells
- Regulatory T cells
B Lymphocytes (B cells) and antibody production

Normal Immune Response

Antigen recognition
Cell activation and proliferation
Pathogen elimination
Memory cell formation

Part 2: Immune Changes in Microgravity (30 minutes)

NASA Research Findings

1. T Cell Dysfunction
- Reduced T cell activation during spaceflight
- Decreased proliferation rates
- Impact on body's ability to fight new infections

2. Natural Killer (NK) Cell Activity
- Decline in cytotoxic function
- Connection to viral reactivation (Epstein-Barr virus, herpes viruses)
- Implications for cancer surveillance

3. Cytokine Imbalance
- Altered inflammatory responses
- Effects on wound healing
- Impact on infection control

4. Gene Expression Changes
- Upregulation of stress-response genes
- Downregulation of protective immune genes
- Role of epigenetic modifications

The NASA Twins Study

One-year mission aboard ISS (Scott Kelly)
Ground-based comparison (Mark Kelly)
Key immune system findings:
Fluctuations in cytokine levels
Changes in T cell receptor diversity
Altered gene expression patterns
Most changes returned to baseline post-flight

Source: Garrett-Bakelman, F. E., et al. (2019). The NASA Twins Study. Science, 364(6436).

Part 3: Health Implications (20 minutes)

Documented Health Risks

Increased Infection Susceptibility
Reduced immune surveillance
Delayed response to pathogens
Latent Virus Reactivation
Epstein-Barr virus
Cytomegalovirus
Varicella-zoster virus (shingles)
Allergic Reactions
Changes in hypersensitivity responses
Documented cases of space-induced allergies
Wound Healing Delays
Altered inflammatory response
Concerns for surgical procedures in space

Part 4: Real NASA Data Analysis (30 minutes)

Activity: Analyzing Astronaut Immune Data

Materials Provided:
- NASA OSDR database access
- Sample immune cell count data from space missions
- Cytokine level measurements
- Comparison with Earth-based controls

Procedure:
1. Students access NASA's Open Science Data Repository
2. Review immune marker data from ISS missions
3. Create graphs comparing pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight measurements
4. Identify patterns and trends
5. Draw conclusions about immune system changes

Guiding Questions:
- Which immune cells show the most significant changes?
- At what point during the mission are changes most pronounced?
- Do changes return to normal after return to Earth?
- What might these changes mean for Mars missions (6-month journey)?

Part 5: Contributing Factors (15 minutes)

Multiple Stressors Affecting Immunity:

Microgravity
Direct effects on cell signaling
Altered fluid distribution
Changes in cell shape and function
Radiation Exposure
Cosmic rays
Solar particle events
Oxidative stress
Psychological Stress
Isolation and confinement
Workload and sleep disruption
Elevated cortisol levels
Environmental Factors
Recycled air
Limited hygiene facilities
Close quarters with crew members

Conclusion and Discussion (10 minutes)

Key Takeaways:
- Microgravity significantly affects immune system function
- Changes occur at cellular, molecular, and genetic levels
- NASA research provides critical data for understanding these changes
- Implications for future long-duration space missions are profound

Discussion Questions:
1. Why is immune system research critical for Mars exploration?
2. What interventions might help maintain immune function in space?
3. How could this research benefit people on Earth?

Assessment

Formative Assessment

Participation in class discussions
Completion of data analysis activity
Responses to guiding questions

Summative Assessment

Quiz on immune system components and space-related changes (20 points)
Written analysis of NASA data (30 points)
Essay question: "Explain how microgravity affects the immune system and why this matters for space exploration" (50 points)

Differentiation

For Advanced Students:
- Research the NASA Twins Study in depth
- Analyze additional datasets from OSDR
- Explore molecular mechanisms of immune changes

For Students Needing Support:
- Provide pre-made immune system diagrams
- Offer simplified data tables
- Work in pairs for data analysis activity

Extensions

Research Projects

Investigate countermeasures being developed to protect astronaut immunity
Study the relationship between gut microbiome and immunity in space
Explore how COVID-19 research might apply to space medicine

Career Connections

Immunologist
Space medicine physician
NASA research scientist
Biomedical engineer

Resources

NASA Resources

Scientific Papers

Crucian, B., et al. (2015). Alterations in adaptive immunity persist during long-duration spaceflight. NPJ Microgravity, 1, 15013.
Mehta, S. K., et al. (2017). Reactivation of latent viruses is associated with increased plasma cytokines in astronauts. Cytokine, 61(1), 205-209.

Videos

NASA: "Effects of Spaceflight on the Immune System"
ISS Science: "Studying Immunity in Space"
NASA Twins Study Results Presentation

Homework Assignment

Research and Report:
Write a 1-2 page report on one specific aspect of space immunology. Include:
- Description of the immune change
- NASA studies investigating this change
- Potential health implications
- Proposed countermeasures

Due: Next class period

Teacher Notes

Preparation:
- Review NASA OSDR website and select appropriate datasets
- Test computer lab access to NASA resources
- Prepare printouts of immune system diagrams
- Set up projector for NASA videos

Common Misconceptions:
- Students may think space is sterile (explain microbes in spacecraft)
- May not understand that gravity affects cellular function
- Might assume changes are permanent (explain recovery post-flight)

Safety Considerations:
- Standard computer lab safety
- Ensure appropriate internet filtering for research

Time Management:
- Data analysis activity may need full class period
- Consider splitting lesson across multiple days
- Have extension activities ready for early finishers

Part of the Space Medicine Antibody Drug Development Curriculum
Developed using NASA research data and OSDR resources

Introduction to Space Immunology