Space Stay Speeds Stem Cell Senescence
For decades, scientists have studied how extended stays in space affect the human body. Now, researchers at the University of California, San Diego have discovered that human stem cells exposed to conditions aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for about a month showed signs of accelerated aging, according to a report by Engadget.
The study utilized hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, which play a vital role in producing blood and immune cells. These cells were placed in specially designed nanobioreactors and sent to space for 32 to 45 days, while a control group was kept at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Earth.
Findings revealed that stem cells in space were at increased risk of DNA damage, experienced inflammation in their mitochondria, and showed reduced self-renewal capacity. However, upon returning to Earth, some of the cellular damage was partially reversed.
Researcher Catriona Jamieson commented, “Space is the ultimate stress test for the human body. These results will not only help safeguard astronauts on long-duration space missions but also improve our understanding of aging and diseases like cancer here on Earth.”
