Reactivation of latent viruses is associated with increased plasma cytokines in astronauts

Success of long duration space missions will depend upon robust immunity. Decreased immunity has been observed in astronauts during short duration missions, as evident by the reactivation of latent herpes viruses. Seventeen astronauts were studied for reactivation and shedding of latent herpes viruses before, during, and after 9-14 days of 8 spaceflights. Blood, urine, and saliva samples were collected 10 days before the flight (L-10), during the flight (saliva only), 2-3 h after landing (R + 0), 3 days after landing (R + 3), and 120 days after landing (R + 120). Values at R + 120 were used as baseline levels. No shedding of viruses occurred before flight, but 9 of the 17 (designated “virus shedders”) shed at least one or more viruses during and after flight. The remaining 8 astronauts did not shed any of the 3 target viruses (non-virus shedders). Virus-shedders showed elevations in 10 plasma cytokines (IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, IFNγ, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, eotaxin, and IP-10) at R + 0 over baseline values. Only IL-4 and IP-10 were elevated in plasma of non-virus shedders. In virus shedders, plasma IL-4 (a Th2 cytokine) was elevated 21-fold at R + 0, whereas IFNγ (a Th1 cytokine) was elevated only 2-fold indicating a Th2 shift. The inflammatory cytokine IL-6 was elevated 33-fold at R + 0. In non-shedding astronauts at R + 0, only IL-4 and IP-10 levels were elevated over baseline values. Elevated cytokines began returning to normal by R + 3, and by R + 120 all except IL-4 had returned to baseline values. These data show an association between elevated plasma cytokines and increased viral reactivation in astronauts.

► Plasma cytokine levels in astronauts during spaceflight were measured. ► Reactivation of three latent viruses was determined by PCR in saliva. ► Cytokine levels in non-virus-shedding astronauts compared to virus shedding ones. ► Significant elevated levels of cytokines were found in virus shedding astronauts. ► Virus reactivation in astronauts linked to shifts toward a Th-2 cytokine balance.