A groundbreaking study from the University of Exeter suggests that mammalian immune systems, including humans, may falter against extraterrestrial microorganisms. The challenge lies in recognizing these alien microbes, potentially weakening our natural defenses.
Space exploration brings serious health considerations. Astronauts heading to the Moon or Mars face altered gravity, cosmic radiation, and potential impacts on the brain and gut from prolonged missions.
Published in the journal Microorganisms on July 17, 2020, researchers from the University of Exeter examined the risks of exposure to microorganisms from other planets where life may have evolved differently.
Lead author Katja Shaefer notes that Earth life relies on 22 essential amino acids. Yet, this work theorizes life forms built on different amino acids, leading to exo-peptides with rare amino acids absent on our planet.
The team tested mammalian immune responses to these threats using mice, whose systems closely mirror humans, to gauge detection and defense against possible extraterrestrial microbe attacks.
Mice immune cells were exposed to two exo-peptides mimicking those found on meteorites. While a response occurred, it was significantly weaker than typical reactions to Earth pathogens.
Though hypothetical, the findings raise concerns: contact with alien microbes could pose major immunological risks to astronauts and Earth, especially with missions planning to return samples from Mars and beyond.
