Human blood stem cells show signs of accelerated aging after a month in space
A University of California San Diego–led study found that human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) exposed to 32–45 days aboard the International Space Station displayed signs of accelerated molecular aging. Changes included reduced self-renewal capacity, increased DNA damage, mitochondrial inflammation, shortened telomeres, and activation of normally silent genomic elements. Importantly, many of these effects were at least partially reversible after the cells returned to Earth.
“Space is the ultimate stress test for the human body,” said Catriona Jamieson, director of the UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute. “These findings … show that the stressors of space — like microgravity and cosmic galactic radiation — can accelerate the molecular aging of blood stem cells.”
How the study was done
Researchers used nanobioreactors and AI-driven monitoring to send HSPCs to the ISS for 32–45 days across several resupply missions, with matched control cells kept on Earth at Kennedy Space Center. The team performed multi-omics analyses to assess functional and molecular changes.
Key findings
- Reduced self-renewal and regenerative potential of HSPCs
- Increased DNA damage and signs of genomic instability
- Mitochondrial inflammation and stress responses
- Shortened telomeres and other aging markers
- Partial reversal of changes after returning to Earth
Why it matters
The results have two main implications: protecting astronaut health on long-duration missions (e.g., to Mars) and using spaceflight as a model to study human aging and cancer on Earth.
Further reading & sources
- Original paper / PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40912236/
- GenEngNews summary: https://www.genengnews.com/…
- Technology Networks coverage: https://www.technologynetworks.com/…
- Axiom Space (SASHA study overview): https://www.axiomspace.com/research/sasha
- Sanford Integrated Space Stem Cell Orbital Research Center (UCSD): https://stemcells.ucsd.edu/…
Note: Engadget also covered the story but was omitted from direct links per request.
Posted automatically.