Human stem cells age more rapidly in space, study finds

The article reports that a study conducted by researchers at the University of California San Diego has found that human stem cells age more rapidly when exposed to the space environment. The study focused on hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), which are crucial for the formation of blood and immune cells. The researchers sent stem cells to the International Space Station for stays of 32-45 days, using specially developed nanobioreactors to monitor them. Another set of cells remained on Earth as a control group. The cells that went to the ISS showed signs of accelerated aging, including reduced self-renewal abilities, greater susceptibility to DNA damage, and increased inflammation in the mitochondria. However, the study also found that the changes were at least partially reversible when the cells were removed from the space environment. The researchers believe that these findings are critical because they demonstrate the stress that the space environment, such as microgravity and cosmic galactic radiation, can have on human stem cells. This information can help protect astronauts during long-duration missions and also provide insights into human aging and diseases like cancer on Earth.