# Lung Host Defense in Microgravity

> **NIH NIH UH3** · CHILDREN'S HOSP OF PHILADELPHIA · 2020 · $735,375

## Abstract

Abstract
Infections are commonly reported onboard spacecraft, but the mechanisms responsible are not well
understood. Both tissue-specific and systemic (bone marrow) responses have been implicated. Systems to
model and prevent or treat infections in microgravity are important components of mission planning. Our
underlying hypothesis is that Immunosuppression in microgravity is due to loss of both local and
systemic responses to bacteria that can be modeled and are susceptible to therapy. Based on
extensive preliminary data we propose 2 new models to address potential mechanisms of compromised
immunity on the ISS. In the UG3 Phase we will develop and refine: 1.An airway-on-a-chip that incorporates
a 3-layer topology with both airway and vascular access is used to probe intrinsic susceptibility to airway
infections from Pseudomonas aeruginosa in microgravity 2. A bone marrow-on-a-chip that will be used to
test mobilization of neutrophils from the marrow in response to physiologic modifiers that induce neutrophil
release from marrow. Once validated, these devices will be packaged in remotely- controllable modules
that will be sent to the ISS for deployment in microgravity, while control devices subject to unit gravity will be
mimicked in a terrestrial facility. Our implementation partners, STaARS ans Space Pharma will be intimately
involved in the development and hardening of the tissues on chips in a space-ready fashion, and in
establishment of remote control and real-time data recovery from ISS. After successful data gathering and
post-flight analysis from the UH3 phase, we will design and implement an integrated device in the UH3
Phase. We propose to interconnect the devices these devices so as to test the interaction between these
tissues that controls innate immunity. Similarly, once validated and shown to reflect the physiological
principles that control recruitment of innate immune cells to infected organs, the devices will be packaged
and deployed to the ISS for a second analysis in microgravity.
The goals of the project are to test feasibility of microfluidic devices to reflect physiological principles while
being delivered to orbit; and to provide access to modular components that can be interconnected to
understand the integrated behavior of complex human responses.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10011949
- **Project number:** 5UH3TR002198-04
- **Recipient organization:** CHILDREN'S HOSP OF PHILADELPHIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Dongeun Huh
- **Activity code:** UH3 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $735,375
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-06-15 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10011949

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10011949, Lung Host Defense in Microgravity (5UH3TR002198-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10011949. Licensed CC0.

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