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Project Title:  Awakening Endogenous Retroviruses with the Space Environment Reduce
Fiscal Year: FY 2023 
Division: Human Research 
Research Discipline/Element:
HRP HHC:Human Health Countermeasures
 Start Date: 10/01/2019  
End Date: 12/31/2022  
Task Last Updated: 01/29/2025 		 Download Task Book report in PDF pdf
Principal Investigator/Affiliation:   Bowles, Dawn  Ph.D. / Duke University 
Address:  Department of Surgery 
Msrb1 Room 401B, DUMC 2642 
Durham , NC 27710-0001 		 Email: dawn.bowles@duke.edu 
Phone: 919-668-1947  
Congressional District: 4 
Web:  
 Organization Type: UNIVERSITY 
Organization Name: Duke University 
Joint Agency:  
Comments:  
Project Information: Grant/Contract No. 80NSSC19K1057 
Responsible Center: NASA JSC 
Grant Monitor: Brocato, Becky  
Center Contact:  
becky.brocato@nasa.gov 
Unique ID: 12412  		Solicitation / Funding Source: 2018 HERO 80JSC018N0001-Crew Health and Performance (FLAGSHIP, OMNIBUS). Appendix A-Flagship, Appendix B-Omnibus 
Grant/Contract No.: 80NSSC19K1057 
Project Type: Ground 
Flight Program:  
TechPort: No  		No. of Post Docs: 1 
No. of PhD Candidates: 0 
No. of Master's Candidates: 0 
No. of Bachelor's Candidates: 0  		No. of PhD Degrees:  
No. of Master's Degrees:  
No. of Bachelor's Degrees:  
Human Research Program Elements: (1) HHC:Human Health Countermeasures
Human Research Program Risks: (1) Immune:Risk of In Mission Impacts, Adverse Health Events or Long-Term Health Impacts due to Altered Immune Response
Human Research Program Gaps: (1) IM-101:Evaluate the effects of deep-space radiation on immune dysfunction, as an additional hazard to the effects of psychophysiological stress and weightlessness.
(2) IM-103:Evaluate for novel endogenous viral reactivation
Flight Assignment/Project Notes: NOTE: End date changed to 12/31/2022 per L. Barnes-Moten/JSC (Ed., 6/20/23)

NOTE: End date changed to 06/30/2021 per L. Barnes-Moten/JSC (Ed., 4/15/21)

NOTE: End date changed to 3/31/2021 per NSSC information (Ed., 11/9/20)

Task Description: Approximately 8% of the human genome is composed of Endogenous Retrovirus (ERVs). These genetic elements have helped shape humans as they exist today. ERVs are normally maintained in a silenced state but non-specific activation of ERVs can occur through application of exogenous stressors, and may have detrimental consequences to the host. Indeed, within the last 5 years a number of studies have demonstrated ERVs to be associated with autoimmune diseases, cancer, and neurological diseases. Extended space travel will expose astronauts to the space radiation and microgravity environments; both of these stressors may influence genomic modifications that may result in non-specific activation of ERVs. Activation of ERVs may result in alterations to molecular pathways within different cell types that might influence negative pathogenic outcomes during space flight. The key central objective of this proposal is to understand how the physical space environment might influence activation of ERVs. We will accomplish this research objective in two aims. In the first aim we will utilize a bioreactor to grow cells in a microgravity environment and evaluate the cells by molecular and immunofluorescence techniques for evidence of ERV activation under this space stressor. The second aim will utilize an established tissue repository that contains multiple tissues from mice exposed to various types and doses of space radiation. We will examine these tissues molecularly and histologically for evidence of ERV activation. This project is significant in that identification of ERVs that respond to specific space conditions may function as early, surrogate markers of putative genomic change. Furthermore, expression of ERV-encoded proteins may be seen as foreign and elicit autoimmune responses.

Research Impact/Earth Benefits: Overall some progress has been made demonstrating the increase in cells with dsRNA (and possibly endogenous retrovirus reactivation) following both gamma and galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) exposure. This project is significant in that identification of ERVs that respond to specific space conditions may function as early, surrogate markers of putative genomic change. Furthermore, expression of ERV-encoded proteins may be seen as foreign and elicit autoimmune responses.

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2023 
Task Progress: In this study, we developed methods to detect endogenous retrovirus activation focusing on the detection of dsRNA.To develop our dsRNA assays, we used the J2 anti-dsRNA IgG2a monoclonal antibody. These antibodies have become the gold standard in dsRNA detection. J2 can be used to detect dsRNA intermediates of viruses as diverse as Hepatitis C virus, Dengue virus, rhinovirus, Chikungunya virus, Rabies virus, Poliovirus, and many more in cultured cells and in fixed paraffin-embedded histological samples. Flow cytometry experiments using J2 antibody were performed in A549 cells exposed to gamma, galactic cosmic radiation (GCR), and gamma+ microgravity. Notably, increases in average median fluorescence intensity (aMFI) were seen in cells exposed to 8 Gy gamma compared to unirradiated control cells (1.30-fold increase/p=0.0175) at 2 days post radiation. Combining two stressors (10 Gy Gamma and microgravity) showed a 1.73-fold increase (p=0.0002) in aMFI compared to normal gravity controls and a 1.94-fold increase (p<0.0001) in aMFI compared to 10 Gy Gamma only treated samples. Five-day post-radiation results, however, showed statistical significance across all experimental treatment groups; 8 Gy Gamma, 10 Gy Gamma, and microgravity-treated samples showed a 1.33-fold increase (p=0.0155), 2.13-fold increase (p=0.0004), and 2.41-fold increase (p=0.0004) in aMFI, respectively. Combined effects of 10 Gy Gamma and microgravity at the 5-day post-radiation time point showed a 4.72-fold (p<0.0001) increase in aMFI compared to normal gravity controls and a 1.96-fold (p=0.0215) increase in aMFI compared to microgravity only treated samples. One-day post-radiation samples irradiated with GCR5-ion displayed a 1.21-fold increase in aMFI although it was not statistically significant (p=0.47).

We also utilized the J2 antibody to evaluate dsRNA in tissues from mice (lung, liver, heart, brain) from mice exposed to gamma, oxygen ion, iron ion, or GCR radiation compared to age-matched unirradiated mice. Statistically, the tissues most affected were: 1) livers in iron-irradiated mice; 2) brains in oxygen-irradiated mice; and 3) livers and brains of gamma-irradiated mice. The number of animals per radiation group examined was relatively low (n=3), so we pooled the average intensities from iron, oxygen, and gamma-irradiated mice. The intensities measured from the livers, brains, lungs, and hearts were all greater than the corresponding tissues from the unirradiated control animals. The intensities measured in the livers and hearts met statistical significance, but the intensities measured in the brains and lungs failed to meet statistical significance.

Overall, an increase in the presence of double-stranded RNA as evidenced by the increase in immunofluorescence intensity of J2 staining in radiation conditions versus control was seen in both acute (cell-based studies) as well as in chronic (mouse-tissue based) radiation studies. Notably, the tissues evaluated in this study were obtained from mice that had been exposed to various types of radiation 17-18 months prior to euthanasia and tissue banking. A single dose of radiation has a long-lasting effect on the presence of double-stranded DNA indicating a continuing pro-inflammatory environment following the initial exposure. Future work would consist of evaluating tissues obtained from animals euthanized at earlier time points post-radiation to better understand the kinetics of dsRNA expression post-radiation.

Bibliography: Description: (Last Updated: 03/11/2025) 

Show Cumulative Bibliography
 
 None in FY 2023
Back to Search Results    
Project Title:  Awakening Endogenous Retroviruses with the Space Environment Reduce
Fiscal Year: FY 2021 
Division: Human Research 
Research Discipline/Element:
HRP HHC:Human Health Countermeasures
 Start Date: 10/01/2019  
End Date: 12/31/2022  
Task Last Updated: 01/17/2022 		 Download Task Book report in PDF pdf
Principal Investigator/Affiliation:   Bowles, Dawn  Ph.D. / Duke University 
Address:  Department of Surgery 
Msrb1 Room 401B, DUMC 2642 
Durham , NC 27710-0001 		 Email: dawn.bowles@duke.edu 
Phone: 919-668-1947  
Congressional District: 4 
Web:  
 Organization Type: UNIVERSITY 
Organization Name: Duke University 
Joint Agency:  
Comments:  
Project Information: Grant/Contract No. 80NSSC19K1057 
Responsible Center: NASA JSC 
Grant Monitor: Brocato, Becky  
Center Contact:  
becky.brocato@nasa.gov 
Unique ID: 12412  		Solicitation / Funding Source: 2018 HERO 80JSC018N0001-Crew Health and Performance (FLAGSHIP, OMNIBUS). Appendix A-Flagship, Appendix B-Omnibus 
Grant/Contract No.: 80NSSC19K1057 
Project Type: Ground 
Flight Program:  
TechPort: No  		No. of Post Docs:  
No. of PhD Candidates:  
No. of Master's Candidates:  
No. of Bachelor's Candidates:   		No. of PhD Degrees:  
No. of Master's Degrees:  
No. of Bachelor's Degrees:  
Human Research Program Elements: (1) HHC:Human Health Countermeasures
Human Research Program Risks: (1) Immune:Risk of In Mission Impacts, Adverse Health Events or Long-Term Health Impacts due to Altered Immune Response
Human Research Program Gaps: (1) IM-101:Evaluate the effects of deep-space radiation on immune dysfunction, as an additional hazard to the effects of psychophysiological stress and weightlessness.
(2) IM-103:Evaluate for novel endogenous viral reactivation
Flight Assignment/Project Notes: NOTE: End date changed to 12/31/2022 per L. Barnes-Moten/JSC (Ed., 6/20/23)

NOTE: End date changed to 06/30/2021 per L. Barnes-Moten/JSC (Ed., 4/15/21)

NOTE: End date changed to 3/31/2021 per NSSC information (Ed., 11/9/20)

Task Description: Approximately 8% of the human genome is composed of Endogenous Retrovirus (ERVs). These genetic elements have helped shape humans as they exist today. ERVs are normally maintained in a silenced state but non-specific activation of ERVs can occur through application of exogenous stressors, and may have detrimental consequences to the host. Indeed, within the last 5 years a number of studies have demonstrated ERVs to be associated with autoimmune diseases, cancer, and neurological diseases. Extended space travel will expose astronauts to the space radiation and microgravity environments; both of these stressors may influence genomic modifications that may result in non-specific activation of ERVs. Activation of ERVs may result in alterations to molecular pathways within different cell types that might influence negative pathogenic outcomes during space flight. The key central objective of this proposal is to understand how the physical space environment might influence activation of ERVs. We will accomplish this research objective in two aims. In the first aim we will utilize a bioreactor to grow cells in a microgravity environment and evaluate the cells by molecular and immunofluorescence techniques for evidence of ERV activation under this space stressor. The second aim will utilize an established tissue repository that contains multiple tissues from mice exposed to various types and doses of space radiation. We will examine these tissues molecularly and histologically for evidence of ERV activation. This project is significant in that identification of ERVs that respond to specific space conditions may function as early, surrogate markers of putative genomic change. Furthermore, expression of ERV-encoded proteins may be seen as foreign and elicit autoimmune responses.

Research Impact/Earth Benefits: Overall some progress has been made demonstrating the increase in cells with dsRNA (and possibly endogenous retrovirus reactivation) following both gamma and galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) exposure. This project is significant in that identification of ERVs that respond to specific space conditions may function as early, surrogate markers of putative genomic change. Furthermore, expression of ERV-encoded proteins may be seen as foreign and elicit autoimmune responses.

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2021 
Task Progress: A549 (human lung fibroblasts) cells, used for radiation, microgravity, and combined effects (10 Gy Gamma + microgravity) experiments, were cultured 3 days prior to treatment. 500 x 10(3) A549 cells were cultured per T-25 for radiation experiments using standard cell culturing techniques and media (10% FBS containing DMEM with high glucose and pyruvate). For microgravity (n=2) and combined effects (n=2) experiments, 350 x 10(3) A549 cells were cultured per Synthecon cell rotator with Cytodex(3) microcarriers. A459 cells were exposed to Gamma at Duke University using the J. L. Shepherd Mark I Model 68A 137Cs Gamma irradiator (8 Gy (n=12) and 10 Gy (n=8)). Each experimental group was treated at the same time and harvested for 2-day and 5-day post-radiation assessment using flow cytometry A459 cells irradiated at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and harvested at 1-day post-radiation for flow cytometry (150 cGy GCR5-ion samples (n=4)). For all experiments, untreated controls were cultured and harvested identically to their treated counterparts. Indirect flow cytometry assay was developed using the J2 primary antibody, mouse monoclonal anti-double stranded (ds) RNA antibody from Jena Bioscience GmbH, and secondary antibody, Alexa 488 conjugated anti-mouse IgG polyclonal antibody from BioLegend. All cells were fixed and permeabilized using eBioscience™ Foxp3 / Transcription Factor Staining Buffer Set from Invitrogen. 10,000 events were recorded per sample and FlowJo v10.8 (Becton, Dickinson and Company) was used to gate singlet populations for average median fluorescence intensity (aMFI) of detected dsRNA.

For individual effects treated samples at 2-days post-radiation, only 8 Gy Gamma showed a significant elevation in aMFI—a 1.30-fold increase (p=0.0175). Combined 10 Gy Gamma and microgravity effects at the 2-day post-radiation timepoint showed a 1.73-fold increase (p=0.0002) in aMFI compared to normal gravity controls and a 1.94-fold increase (p<0.0001) in aMFI compared to 10 Gy Gamma only treated samples. 5-days post-radiation results, however, showed statistical significance across all experimental treatment groups; 8 Gy Gamma, 10 Gy Gamma, and microgravity treated samples showing a 1.33-fold increase (p=0.0155), 2.13-fold increase (p=0.0004), and 2.41-fold increase (p=0.0004) in aMFI, respectively. Combined effects of 10 Gy Gamma and microgravity at the 5-day post-radiation timepoint showed a 4.72-fold (p<0.0001) increase in aMFI compared to normal gravity controls and a 1.96-fold (p=0.0215) increase in aMFI compared to microgravity only treated samples. 1-day post-radiation samples irradiated with GCR5-ion displayed a 1.21-fold increase in aMFI although it was not statistically significant (p=0.47).

This study was significantly affected by Covid 19 shutdown. From another study we have developed an extensive tissue repository of mice that have been exposed to various type of radiation including 5 ion GCR sim. Now that we have developed the indirect immunofluorescence assay with the J2 antibody we plan to evaluate some of the tissue in this repository.

Bibliography: Description: (Last Updated: 03/11/2025) 

Show Cumulative Bibliography
 
 None in FY 2021
Back to Search Results    
Project Title:  Awakening Endogenous Retroviruses with the Space Environment Reduce
Fiscal Year: FY 2020 
Division: Human Research 
Research Discipline/Element:
HRP HHC:Human Health Countermeasures
 Start Date: 10/01/2019  
End Date: 06/30/2021  
Task Last Updated: 06/25/2019 		 Download Task Book report in PDF pdf
Principal Investigator/Affiliation:   Bowles, Dawn  Ph.D. / Duke University 
Address:  Department of Surgery 
Msrb1 Room 401B, DUMC 2642 
Durham , NC 27710-0001 		 Email: dawn.bowles@duke.edu 
Phone: 919-668-1947  
Congressional District: 4 
Web:  
 Organization Type: UNIVERSITY 
Organization Name: Duke University 
Joint Agency:  
Comments:  
Project Information: Grant/Contract No. 80NSSC19K1057 
Responsible Center: NASA JSC 
Grant Monitor: Norsk, Peter  
Center Contact:  
Peter.norsk@nasa.gov 
Unique ID: 12412  		Solicitation / Funding Source: 2018 HERO 80JSC018N0001-Crew Health and Performance (FLAGSHIP, OMNIBUS). Appendix A-Flagship, Appendix B-Omnibus 
Grant/Contract No.: 80NSSC19K1057 
Project Type: Ground 
Flight Program:  
TechPort: No  		No. of Post Docs:  
No. of PhD Candidates:  
No. of Master's Candidates:  
No. of Bachelor's Candidates:   		No. of PhD Degrees:  
No. of Master's Degrees:  
No. of Bachelor's Degrees:  
Human Research Program Elements: (1) HHC:Human Health Countermeasures
Human Research Program Risks: (1) Immune:Risk of In Mission Impacts, Adverse Health Events or Long-Term Health Impacts due to Altered Immune Response
Human Research Program Gaps: (1) IM-101:Evaluate the effects of deep-space radiation on immune dysfunction, as an additional hazard to the effects of psychophysiological stress and weightlessness.
(2) IM-103:Evaluate for novel endogenous viral reactivation
Flight Assignment/Project Notes: NOTE: End date changed to 6/30/2021; original end date was 9/30/2020 (Ed., 11/12/21)

Task Description: Approximately 8% of the human genome is composed of Endogenous Retrovirus (ERVs). These genetic elements have helped shape humans as they exist today. ERVs are normally maintained in a silenced state but non-specific activation of ERVs can occur through application of exogenous stressors, and may have detrimental consequences to the host. Indeed, within the last 5 years a number of studies have demonstrated ERVs to be associated with autoimmune diseases, cancer, and neurological diseases. Extended space travel will expose astronauts to the space radiation and microgravity environments; both of these stressors may influence genomic modifications that may result in non-specific activation of ERVs. Activation of ERVs may result in alterations to molecular pathways within different cell types that might influence negative pathogenic outcomes during space flight. The key central objective of this proposal is to understand how the physical space environment might influence activation of ERVs. We will accomplish this research objective in two aims. In the first aim we will utilize a bioreactor to grow cells in a microgravity environment and evaluate the cells by molecular and immunofluorescence techniques for evidence of ERV activation under this space stressor. The second aim will utilize an established tissue repository that contains multiple tissues from mice exposed to various types and doses of space radiation. We will examine these tissues molecularly and histologically for evidence of ERV activation. This project is significant in that identification of ERVs that respond to specific space conditions may function as early, surrogate markers of putative genomic change. Furthermore, expression of ERV-encoded proteins may be seen as foreign and elicit autoimmune responses.

Research Impact/Earth Benefits:

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2020 
Task Progress: New project for FY2020.

Bibliography: Description: (Last Updated: 03/11/2025) 

Show Cumulative Bibliography
 
 None in FY 2020
Back to Search Results