Vive la radiorésistance!: converging research in radiobiology and biogerontology to enhance human radioresistance for deep space exploration and colonization

Abstract

While many efforts have been made to pave the way toward human space colonization, little consideration has been given to the methods of protecting spacefarers against harsh cosmic and local radioactive environments and the high costs associated with protection from the deleterious physiological effects of exposure to high-Linear energy transfer (high-LET) radiation. Herein, we lay the foundations of a roadmap toward enhancing human radioresistance for the purposes of deep space colonization and exploration. We outline future research directions toward the goal of enhancing human radioresistance, including upregulation of endogenous repair and radioprotective mechanisms, possible leeways into gene therapy in order to enhance radioresistance via the translation of exogenous and engineered DNA repair and radioprotective mechanisms, the substitution of organic molecules with fortified isoforms, and methods of slowing metabolic activity while preserving cognitive function. We conclude by presenting the known associations between radioresistance and longevity, and articulating the position that enhancing human radioresistance is likely to extend the healthspan of human spacefarers as well.

Commentary regarding: “The effect of simulated space radiation on the N‐glycosylation of human immunoglobulin G1”

“…This may be particularly important for understanding risks in the space environment because the GCR environment is comprised predominantly of protons, and it is realistic to expect that cells will be exposed to multiple hits of protons prior to being traversed by an HZE particle”. Besides this NASA report, a paper authored by 30 scientists from US, Canada, UK, Russia, and Belgium has also cited Mortazavi's papers and confirms the key role of biological protection of astronauts. Again, considering these aspects could have substantially enriched the outcomes of this short communication. 7.…”

Space Radiation Biology for “Living in Space”

“…The energy of radiation is important when considering radiation exposure in space. Radiation exposure on the ground is at low-LET radiation levels and includes X-rays and γ-rays, while GCR contains high-LET radiation such as energetic protons and heavy particle beams, i.e., HZE particles [77][78][79]. High-LET radiation exposure leads to dense ionization along their radiation tracks and induces complex DNA damage.…”

Stress and Radiation Responsiveness

“…Delta-rays). In contrast, low-LET radiations deposit their energy uniformly and are often referred as "sparsely ionizing radiation" (Cortese et al 2018) few orders of magnitude. Without adequate shielding astronauts on the surface of the moon or Mars or in transit could be exposed to doses leading to serious health effects or even death (Benton and Benton 2001).…”

“…20.2 Major sources of space radiation. The space radiation comes from three major sources including galactic cosmic rays, sun radiation, and Van Allen radiation belts of the Earth (Cortese et al 2018) particles is called the solar wind. Fortunately, the fluence rate and energies of the charged particles in the solar wind are very limited.…”