[MHU-9]
Strategy to overcome the space stresses by reinforcing defense mechanism

RESEARCH OVERVIEW

• Previously, mice lacking transcription factor Nrf2, a master regulator of stress defense, were sent to the International Space Station to demonstrate the functional contribution of Nrf2 to maintaining health in the space environment for a long duration stay. However, it has not yet been verified whether gain-of-function of Nrf2 protects us from space stresses.
• The Mouse Habitat Unit-9: Strategy to Overcome the Space Stresses by Reinforcing Defense Mechanism (MHU-9) investigation uses imaging technology to capture inflammatory changes in the space environment and verify whether Nrf2 activation contributes to prevent space stress-induced immune dysfunction in mice.
• Knowledge obtained from these space mouse experiments is to be applied in the development of novel strategies to overcome age-related diseases in humans.

DESCRIPTION

Space environment stressors, including microgravity and cosmic radiation, give rise to immune system dysregulation and atrophy of muscle and bone. Since similar phenomena are observed on the Earth with aging, the space environment provides researchers an aging-accelerated model. Previous rodent research experiments by the Research team involved sending mice lacking transcription factor Nrf2, a master regulator of stress defense, to the International Space Station, to conduct long-duration experiments to demonstrate the functional contribution of Nrf2 to maintaining health in the space environment. However, it has not yet been verified whether gain-of-function of Nrf2 protects from space stresses.

The Mouse Habitat Unit-9: Strategy to Overcome the Space Stresses by Reinforcing Defense Mechanism (MHU-9) investigation studies how Nrf2 activation can contribute to the maintenance of health in the space environment in mice. By using imaging technology, the Research team will attempt to capture inflammatory changes in the space environment and verify whether Nrf2 activation contributes to prevent space stress-induced immune dysfunction. Based on the knowledge obtained from the space mouse experiments, the Research team seeks to develop strategies to overcome age-related diseases in humans.

SPACE APPLICATIONS

This study aims to propose a novel strategy to overcome the space stress effects in mice by targeting the Nrf2 transcription factor.

EARTH APPLICATIONS

Knowledge obtained from this investigation is used in the development of strategies and treatments to overcome age-related diseases in humans on Earth.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND PROTOCOLS

Genetically modified mice (Keap1 KD/KD::IL6-Luc mice and IL6-Luc mice) are launched to the space station and reared in the Kibo Japanese Experiment Module using JAXA Habitat Cage Units. The Tele-Luminescence Analysis System (TELLAS) is used to capture inflammatory changes in the mice aboard the space station.

YAMAMOTO Masayuki [Tohoku University]