HRR - Gap - IM-103: Evaluate for novel endogenous viral reactivation

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IM-103: Evaluate for novel endogenous viral reactivation

Content in this Gap was split from 1 other Gap

Last Published: 11/23/20 11:55:10 AM (Central)

Responsible Element: Human Health Countermeasures (HHC)

Status: Open

Description

Present state of knowledge: Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are genetic sequences that have integrated with the human genome in the process of evolution. These elements, which comprise up to 5–8% of the human genome, are similar to, and may be derived from, retroviruses. While these sequences are usually dormant, they may be activated under stress and have been associated with several terrestrial chronic conditions, including autoimmune diseases, cancer and neurological diseases. NASA has documented the persistent reactivation of latent herpesviruses, and at this time there is no information regarding the reactivation, and possible clinical effects of, endogenous retroviruses relative to spaceflight conditions.

Research approach: Evaluation of reactivation of novel endogenous viral sequences embedded in the human genome, under conditions of weightlessness, radiation and combinations of both (study currently underway).

Target for Closure

Understand another aspect of immune dysfunction that could have health ramifications for in-mission as well as for long-term health.

Mappings

Risk of Adverse Health Event Due to Altered Immune Response

IM-103: Evaluate for novel endogenous viral reactivation

Active

Awakening endogenous retroviruses with the space environment

Task Book: Entry Unavailable
Principal Investigator: Dawn Bowles

Short Title: Awakening ERV

Responsible HRP Element: Human Health Countermeasures

Collaborating Org(s):

Funding Status: Active - Currently funded and in progress

Procurement Mechanism(s):

Directed

Aims:

To understand how the space environment might influence activation of ERVs.

To test the hypothesis that microgravity can induce activation of ERVs in human stem/progenitor cells in vitro.
To test the hypothesis that space radiation can induce activation of ERVs in mouse tissues.

Resources (None Listed)

Deliverables (1)

Planned-Funded

Endogenous Retrovirus Activation

Task Book: Entry Unavailable
Principal Investigator: TBD

Short Title: Endogenous Retro Virus (ERV's)

Responsible HRP Element: Human Health Countermeasures

Collaborating Org(s):

Funding Status: Planned-Funded - Task expected to be within budget

Procurement Mechanism(s):

Aims:
TBD

Resources (Other)

Deliverables (1)

Documentation:

No Documentation Available

Related Gaps (11)

IM7: It is necessary to correlate the observed effects of spaceflight-associated immune system dysregulation with known terrestrial clinical conditions.

Common Item(s)
	Risk of Adverse Health Event Due to Altered Immune Response

IM-101: Evaluate the effects of deep-space radiation on immune dysfunction, as an additional hazard to the effects of psychophysiological stress and weightlessness.

Common Item(s)
	Risk of Adverse Health Event Due to Altered Immune Response

IM-102: Evaluate the effects of altered atmospheric conditions such as elevated CO2 levels or mildly hypoxic exploration atmosphere on immune dysfunction.

Common Item(s)
	Risk of Adverse Health Event Due to Altered Immune Response

IM-104: Evaluate immune dysfunction on missions greater than six months.

Common Item(s)
	Risk of Adverse Health Event Due to Altered Immune Response

IM-105: Identify immune biomarkers that correlate with known spaceflight-related immune dysfunction and immune outcomes, as a first step in designing in-flight monitoring paradigms.

Common Item(s)
	Risk of Adverse Health Event Due to Altered Immune Response

IM-201: Based on immune dysfunction biomarkers identified in Scientific Objective 1, identify, develop, and implement in-flight immune function monitoring tools for support of research during Gateway, Lunar, and Mars missions.

Common Item(s)
	Risk of Adverse Health Event Due to Altered Immune Response

IM-301: Identify appropriate ground-based analogs to spaceflight-induced immune dysfunction to enable ground validation of preventive/mitigative countermeasures and derive mechanistic insights.

Common Item(s)
	Risk of Adverse Health Event Due to Altered Immune Response

IM-401: Test, optimize and validate nutrition-based preventive/mitigative countermeasures

Common Item(s)
	Risk of Adverse Health Event Due to Altered Immune Response

IM-402: Test, optimize and validate pharmacological preventive/mitigative countermeasures.

Common Item(s)
	Risk of Adverse Health Event Due to Altered Immune Response

IM-403: Test, optimize and validate stress reduction techniques as preventive and mitigative immune dysfunction countermeasures.

Common Item(s)
	Risk of Adverse Health Event Due to Altered Immune Response

IM-501: Test the finalized, integrated, multi-component immune countermeasure in flight.

Common Item(s)
	Risk of Adverse Health Event Due to Altered Immune Response

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PRRs (1)

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