Food allergy in space

AWG Discussions
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We know that exposure to microgravity during space flights produces a state of immunosuppression (simultaneously dampening cytotoxic responses while enhancing Treg function). Did anyone investigate the affect on food allergy reaction and anaphylaxis? What will be the effectivity of EpiPen during anaphylaxis? @AnimalAWG @PlantAWG

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I haven’t seen any direct information, but there may be some clues in the OTI and OTII flight studies (ovalbumin sensitivity). Also, what about a food protein induced enterocolitis syndrome FPES type reaction? This is a critical issue not only for suppression but what about generating oral tolerance?

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I would use a mouse model, checking allergen-specific IgE and Th2-type cytokines.

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That I don’t think has been done. is this the hapten driven model of hypersensitivity?

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Not sure. I know that it is used to study allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) using animal contact hypersensitivity (CHS) models.

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There are a couple of oral intolerance models out there. I’ll dig up a copy of my old FPES grant.

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This is a really interesting question to ask.

But aren’t severe allergies going to disqualify someone from becoming an astronaut in the first place?

Also curious to know - have any astronauts mentioned that they developed a new allergy or sensitivity while in space?

We can leave known allergens off the menu, but if someone who had no adverse response previously suddenly cannot be around a staple food item, that would be a challenge.

Or what if someone doesn’t know that they’re allergic to a microbe that they never bumped into, but happens to be abundant on the base or craft?

I could see this as an interesting topic to view from many angles, bringing together animal, plant, and microbial researchers.

Here’s a link to an interesting piece about the prevalence of adult-onset food allergies: Prevalence and characteristics of adult-onset food allergy - PMC

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Thanks for sharing. This is a very intersting topic that should raise the attention of experts in different fields.

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Development of novel allergies is a big thing on the horizon (no pun intended).

I can see something along the line of going up loosing tolerance because of memory loss, etc. and landing and during recovery new allergies develop.

Can we survey the data and see if that is more prevalent in long-term astronauts?

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