Microgravity-induced changes to normal human physiology have been monitored since the beginning ofmanned-spaceflight. Living in space requires a comprehensive understanding of the human immune response to thespace environment. New antigens might be introduced to the space traveller or a renewed reaction might bemounted to an existing pathogen. Once the degree of health risk is assessed in crewmembers, solutions to mitigatethe effects of immunosuppression to allow safe missions must be developed. This paper reviews the literature relatedto spaceflight-associated immune perturbations, with a focus on lymphoid cells, and a goal to identify andsummarize the issues related to short- and long-term space missions. It is of great research and clinical relevance todetermine if the immune system is perturbed in spaceflight, and continued study of this topic is needed. Immunologystudies in general require highly controlled environments. To date, immunological data are limited, interpretationshave been controversial, and for human experiments the evidence is mostly anecdotal. Much more data are requiredto provide a comprehensive appreciation of immunological perturbations in spaceflight. It is essential to consider theeffects of spaceflight on the human body in order to prevent life threatening risks as the endeavors to spaceexploration continue.
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