Longitudinal transcriptomic and epigenetic analysis of the blood in two astronauts

📖 Top 20% JournalJul 27, 2025Scientific reports

Changes in blood gene activity and DNA regulation over time in two astronauts

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Abstract

Transcriptomic analysis revealed two gene clusters with opposing expression trends in astronauts' blood samples after spaceflight.

Two gene clusters showed one upregulated and the other downregulated expression 24 hours after spaceflight, normalizing by three months post-flight.
Monocytes were suggested to play a key role in the cellular response to spaceflight based on immune cell type mapping.
Four methylation patterns with both transient and persistent changes were identified, linked to pathways involved in nervous system development and cell death.
Changes in DNA methylation implicated genes associated with bone disorders, including FBLIM1, IHH, and SCAMP2.
A connection between RNA transcription levels and DNA methylation was suggested through the transcriptional regulator ZNF684.

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The space industry has made significant strides, leading to an era of commercial spaceflight. Meanwhile, understanding molecular responses to spaceflight is crucial for astronauts' safety. To this end, we examined transcriptomic and epigenetic changes in two astronauts' blood samples at three timepoints: two weeks before spaceflight (T0), 24 hours after spaceflight (T2), and three months after spaceflight (T3). Transcriptomic analysis identified two gene clusters with opposing transient expression trends post-flight (T2), normalized at T3: one upregulated and the other downregulated. Mapped immune cell types through the CIBERSORT coupled with the pathway analysis suggested monocytes' role in coordinated cellular response. Epigenetic analysis identified four methylation patterns with transient and persistent changes post-flight, enriched in nervous system development and cell apoptosis pathways. Methylation changes implicated genes associated with bone disorders, including FBLIM1, IHH, and SCAMP2. eQTM analysis suggested a link between RNA transcriptional level and DNA methylation through transcriptional regulator ZNF684. In conclusion, our study revealed significant short-term transcriptional and methylation changes as well as long-term methylation changes.

Key numbers

20%

Decrease in Monocyte Levels

Monocyte fraction dropped from about 20% pre-flight to about 15% post-flight.

924

Differentially Methylated Probes

Identified at the 20% level in DNA analysis.

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Abstract

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