Ship-borne Journey Induces Th1 Cytokines Level in Antarctic Summer Expeditioners

Abstract

It has become apparent that extreme environmental conditions of Antarctic continent alters many immune responses. The present study was conducted on 28th Indian Antarctic expeditioners. The investigations were carried out to explore the effect of multiple stresses like isolation, cold and UV exposure on human immunity. Thirty blood samples were collected between 6 and 7 AM, after an overnight fast at different stages of the expedition – viz. the pre-exposure sample was collected at Delhi on 25^th October 2008. The expedition started its ship journey from Capetown, on 6^th January, 2009 and on-board blood was collected on 31^st January 2009. After 1 month stay at Maitri, blood was collected on 3^rd March 2009. Different parameters studied included levels of cytokines, chemokines and cortisol. The ship-borne journey induced a dramatic increase in TNF-α, IFN-γ, and B cell activating factor (BAFF) levels and moderate decreases in TGF-β and cortisol levels. However, after being off board for 1 month at Maitri station, levels of above cytokines, cortisol and BAFF were decreased but MIP-1α was significantly increased. These data for the first time suggest that ship-borne journey to the Antarctic continent results in tremendous stress to the body, which eventually resulted in increased TH1-biased immunity.

Keywords:

• Antarctica
• Stress
• Cytokines
• Chemokines
• Cortisol

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are thankful to Mr. Dev Karan and Mr. Parveen Kumar for helping in transportation of scientific materials; Mr. Javed Beg at Capetown and Mr. Ajay Dhar on MV Emerald Ship for providing all the logistic support required for the study, Dr. Pradeep Malhotra leader of the 28^th Indian Antarctic Expedition for drawing blood samples at Maitri. Authors are indebted to all the expeditioners who voluntarily gave their blood for the study at Delhi, on MV Emerald Ship and at Maitri, Antarctica. The study was supported by DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Government of India. NCAOR is acknowledged for all the support required for the study.

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.