NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Antarctic isolation: immune and viral studiesStressful environmental conditions are a major determinant of immune reactivity. This effect is pronounced in Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition populations exposed to prolonged periods of isolation in the Antarctic. Alterations of T cell function, including depression of cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity responses and a peak 48.9% reduction of T cell proliferation to the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin, were documented during a 9-month period of isolation. T cell dysfunction was mediated by changes within the peripheral blood mononuclear cell compartment, including a paradoxical atypical monocytosis associated with altered production of inflammatory cytokines. There was a striking reduction in the production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the predominant pro-inflammatory monokine TNF-alpha and changes were also detected in the production of IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-1ra and IL-10. Prolonged Antarctic isolation is also associated with altered latent herpesvirus homeostasis, including increased herpesvirus shedding and expansion of the polyclonal latent Epstein-Barr virus-infected B cell population. These findings have important long-term health implications.
Document ID
20040172948
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Tingate, T. R.
(Australian Antarctic Division Kingston, Australia)
Lugg, D. J.
Muller, H. K.
Stowe, R. P.
Pierson, D. L.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1997
Publication Information
Publication: Immunology and cell biology
Volume: 75
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0818-9641
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Discipline Environmental Health
NASA Center JSC

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available