Fruit flies that developed into adults during space missions showed weakened immunity to a fungal infection compared to their Earth-based counterparts. This effect was associated with a decrease in specific types of immune cells known as plasmatocytes and lamellocytes. The results suggest that the low gravity environment of space alters immune cell populations and function, potentially increasing the risk of infections.
These findings are important for future long-duration space missions involving humans, as understanding the impact of spaceflight on immune function is critical for crew health and safety in extraterrestrial environments.
