Immunization Induces Inflammation in the Mouse Heart during Spaceflight

Space travel is a growing area of interest and includes initiatives such as NASA's Moon-to-Mars Mission. Studies conducted on the cardiovascular effects of space travel reveal changes in morphology, metabolism, and function. In this study, the cardiovascular response to immunization in space was studied in mice which were housed and immunized while on the International Space Station (ISS). Mice were immunized with tetanus toxoid combined with the adjuvant CpG (TT+CpG) and the effects of vaccination in space were studied using transcriptomics. Analysis of the murine heart transcriptome was performed on ground, flight-control, and flight-immunized mice. Results showed that immunization aboard the ISS stimulates heightened inflammation in the heart via induction of the NFKB signaling pathway.