A collaborative team of ground-based scientists and NASA crew members is extending health research into space, with the goal of mitigating the risk of blood clots for astronauts and advancing treatment options for related disorders on Earth.

Insights into blood health in space
Matthew Rondina, MD, a professor of internal medicine and pathology at University of Utah Health and the site lead for this project, highlighted the risks, noting, "As the duration that astronauts spend in space increases, we believe the risk of blood clots likely continues to accumulate."

Hansjorg Schwertz, PhD, MD, the project lead, physician at Billings Clinic, and adjunct assistant professor at U of U Health, emphasized the logistical challenges clots present in space: "You don't want to have astronauts developing any occlusive thrombi [blood clots] up in space. It requires a lot of logistics and a lot of treatment."

Schwertz and Rondina, working closely with NASA astronauts, aim to understand how spaceflight influences blood cell behavior by analyzing platelets and their precursor cells, megakaryocytes. The ISS experiments will involve growing these cells in space and examining their genetic activity, protein expression, and overall function.

From simulation to real space conditions
The research cells launched to the ISS on November 4, 2024, marking a significant milestone after extensive preparation. Previous experiments on Earth have simulated space conditions using techniques such as exposing blood cells to high-energy particles at a particle accelerator and growing cells in rotating containers to mimic microgravity.

Preliminary data have revealed changes in genes linked to inflammation, immune response, and cellular energy. Yet, Earth-based simulations have limitations, underscoring the need to verify these findings under actual space conditions.

The ground team's role continues during the ISS experiments, coordinating with astronauts and running parallel ground-based control experiments. "Once they're up there, we'll be working in real time with the astronauts for a lot of the experiments," Rondina stated, ensuring that any environmental impacts on cells are accurately captured.

Implications for future treatments
The insights gained could pave the way for improved treatments for clotting and immune disorders. "This may allow us to identify new genes and pathways that regulate platelet production and clotting," Rondina said, noting that these pathways could also relate to diseases on Earth. Platelet functions influence immune responses, making this research relevant for understanding and treating immune system disorders.

Reflecting on the project's launch, Schwertz expressed a mix of emotions: "There's sadness because this part is done now, but also so much excitement and thankfulness for how it worked out so far."

Related Links
University of Utah Health
Space Medicine Technology and Systems