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Li Z, Wu J, Zhao T, Wei Y, Xu Y, Liu Z, Li X, Chen X. Microglial activation in spaceflight and microgravity: potential risk of cognitive dysfunction and poor neural health. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1296205. [PMID: 38425432 PMCID: PMC10902453 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1296205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to the increased crewed spaceflights in recent years, it is vital to understand how the space environment affects human health. A lack of gravitational force is known to risk multiple physiological functions of astronauts, particularly damage to the central nervous system (CNS). As innate immune cells of the CNS, microglia can transition from a quiescent state to a pathological state, releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines that contribute to neuroinflammation. There are reports indicating that microglia can be activated by simulating microgravity or exposure to galactic cosmic rays (GCR). Consequently, microglia may play a role in the development of neuroinflammation during spaceflight. Prolonged spaceflight sessions raise concerns about the chronic activation of microglia, which could give rise to various neurological disorders, posing concealed risks to the neural health of astronauts. This review summarizes the risks associated with neural health owing to microglial activation and explores the stressors that trigger microglial activation in the space environment. These stressors include GCR, microgravity, and exposure to isolation and stress. Of particular focus is the activation of microglia under microgravity conditions, along with the proposal of a potential mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihan Li
- Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Antiviral Drugs, College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jiarui Wu
- Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Antiviral Drugs, College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyuan Zhao
- Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Antiviral Drugs, College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yiyun Wei
- Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Antiviral Drugs, College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yajing Xu
- Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Antiviral Drugs, College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Zongjian Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoqiong Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Xuechai Chen
- Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Antiviral Drugs, College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
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Nozdrachev AD. A brief history of Russian research on the autonomic nervous system. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2023; 306:2230-2248. [PMID: 35633506 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The first information on the structure and function of the autonomic nervous system dates back to the time of Galen (second century), while the beginning of the study of the autonomic nervous system in Russia can be traced back to the mid-19th century. This review is devoted to the professional achievements of Russian researchers in the 19th and 20th centuries who were active in the field of the autonomic nervous system at different stages of the development of neuromorphology and neurophysiology. In addition, recent achievements of modern Russian researchers active in this domain are also highlighted. This review is mainly devoted to research on the autonomic nervous system in Russia, but it would be unfair not to mention the scientists who made a significant contribution to this field of science and worked in the republics of the former USSR. Russian morphology and physiology developed under the significant influence of well-known western scientific schools. I sincerely hope that cooperation between Russian and foreign colleagues will continue and will be fruitful for global science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandr D Nozdrachev
- Department of General Physiology, St Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
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Porseva VV, Preobrazhensky ND. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase and calbindin expression in sympathetic preganglionic neurons following capsaicin treatment. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2023; 306:2264-2275. [PMID: 35717590 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Along with well-known data on the neurochemical mechanisms of nociceptor activation, there are still no clear data regarding changes in the cellular composition and morphological characteristics of spinal preganglionic neurons (SPN) after capsaicin treatment. The mechanism of capsaicin toxicity differs in developing and mature nerve cells. This study aimed to determine the number of SPN in the autonomic nuclei on spinal cord (SC) sections and their cross-sectional area, the localization, percentage, and profile area of SPN containing neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and calbindin (CB) in the thoracic SC of rats of different ages (from birth to 1-year-old) after capsaicin treatment. Neonatal capsaicin treatment generally decreased the cross-sectional area of the SPN pericarya. However, the cross-sectional area of the CB-immunoreactive (IR) SPN increased in the central autonomic area in rats aged 10-30 days old after capsaicin treatment. The number of SPN decreased only in the central autonomic area of rats aged <20 days. The proportion of nNOS-IR neurons remained steady and did not change during development. The cross-sectional area of nNOS-IR SPN in capsaicin-treated rats was less than that in control rats. The results obtained will promote further studies on the mechanisms of sensory processing in the SC and the development of the sympathetic nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina V Porseva
- Department of Pathophysiology, Yaroslavl State Medical University, Yaroslavl, Russia
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Yoshikawa M, Ishikawa C, Li H, Kudo T, Shiba D, Shirakawa M, Murtani M, Takahashi S, Aizawa S, Shiga T. Comparing effects of microgravity and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the mouse ventral lumbar spinal cord. Mol Cell Neurosci 2022; 121:103745. [PMID: 35660087 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2022.103745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Microgravity (MG) exposure and motor neuron diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), lead to motor deficits, including muscle atrophy and loss of neuronal activity. Abnormalities in motor neurons and muscles caused by MG exposure can be recovered by subsequent ground exercise. In contrast, the degeneration that occurs in ALS is irreversible. A common phenotype between MG exposure and ALS pathology is motor system abnormality, but the causes may be different. In this study, to elucidate the motor system that is affected by each condition, we investigated the effects of MG and the human SOD1 ALS mutation on gene expression in various cell types of the mouse ventral lumbar spinal cord, which is rich in motor neurons innervating the lower limb. To identify cell types affected by MG or ALS pathogenesis, we analyzed differentially expressed genes with known cell-type markers, which were determined from previous single-cell studies of the spinal cord in MG-exposed and SOD1G93A mice, an ALS mouse model. Differentially expressed genes were observed in MG mice in various spinal cord cell types, including neurons, microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, oligodendrocyte precursor cells, meningeal cells/Schwann cells, and vascular cells. We also examined neuronal populations in the spinal cord. Gene expression in putative excitatory and inhibitory neurons changed more than that in cholinergic motor neurons of the spinal cord in both MG and SOD1G93A mice. Many putative neuron types, especially visceral motor neurons, and axon initial segments (AIS) were affected in MG mice. In contrast, the effect on neurons and AIS in SOD1G93A mice was slight at P30 but progressed with aging. Interestingly, changes in dopaminergic system-related genes were specifically altered in the spinal cord of MG mice. These results indicate that MG and ALS pathology in various cell types contribute to motor neuron degeneration. Furthermore, there were more alterations in neurons in MG-exposed mice than in SOD1G93A mice. A large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in MG mice represent more than SOD1G93A mice with ALS pathology. Elucidation of MG pathogenesis may provide more insight into the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaaki Yoshikawa
- Division of Anatomical Science, Department of Functional Morphology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan.
| | - Chihiro Ishikawa
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Haiyan Li
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Takashi Kudo
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Dai Shiba
- JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, JAXA, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8505, Japan
| | - Masaki Shirakawa
- JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, JAXA, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8505, Japan
| | - Masafumi Murtani
- Department of Genome Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Satoru Takahashi
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Shin Aizawa
- Division of Anatomical Science, Department of Functional Morphology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Takashi Shiga
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan; Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
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Proshchina A, Gulimova V, Kharlamova A, Krivova Y, Barabanov V, Saveliev S. Cytoskeleton Markers in the Spinal Cord and Mechanoreceptors of Thick-Toed Geckos after Prolonged Space Flights. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12010100. [PMID: 35054493 PMCID: PMC8781937 DOI: 10.3390/life12010100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Spaceflight may cause hypogravitational motor syndrome (HMS). However, the role of the nervous system in the formation of HMS remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of space flights on the cytoskeleton of the neuronal and glial cells in the spinal cord and mechanoreceptors in the toes of thick-toed geckos (Chondrodactylus turneri GRAY, 1864). Thick-toed geckos are able to maintain attachment and natural locomotion in weightlessness. Different types of mechanoreceptors have been described in the toes of geckos. After flight, neurofilament 200 immunoreactivity in mechanoreceptors was lower than in control. In some motor neurons of flight geckos, nonspecific pathomorphological changes were observed, but they were also detected in the control. No signs of gliosis were detected after spaceflight. Cytoskeleton markers adequately reflect changes in the cells of the nervous system. We suggest that geckos’ adhesion is controlled by the nervous system. Our study revealed no significant disturbances in the morphology of the spinal cord after the prolonged space flight, supporting the hypothesis that geckos compensate the alterations, characteristic for other mammals in weightlessness, by tactile stimulation.
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Reciprocal Homer1a and Homer2 Isoform Expression Is a Key Mechanism for Muscle Soleus Atrophy in Spaceflown Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010075. [PMID: 35008503 PMCID: PMC8744925 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms of skeletal muscle atrophy under extended periods of either disuse or microgravity are not yet fully understood. The transition of Homer isoforms may play a key role during neuromuscular junction (NMJ) imbalance/plasticity in space. Here, we investigated the expression pattern of Homer short and long isoforms by gene array, qPCR, biochemistry, and laser confocal microscopy in skeletal muscles from male C57Bl/N6 mice (n = 5) housed for 30 days in space (Bion-flight = BF) compared to muscles from Bion biosatellite on the ground-housed animals (Bion ground = BG) and from standard cage housed animals (Flight control = FC). A comparison study was carried out with muscles of rats subjected to hindlimb unloading (HU). Gene array and qPCR results showed an increase in Homer1a transcripts, the short dominant negative isoform, in soleus (SOL) muscle after 30 days in microgravity, whereas it was only transiently increased after four days of HU. Conversely, Homer2 long-form was downregulated in SOL muscle in both models. Homer immunofluorescence intensity analysis at the NMJ of BF and HU animals showed comparable outcomes in SOL but not in the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle. Reduced Homer crosslinking at the NMJ consequent to increased Homer1a and/or reduced Homer2 may contribute to muscle-type specific atrophy resulting from microgravity and HU disuse suggesting mutual mechanisms.
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Han Y, Zeger L, Tripathi R, Egli M, Ille F, Lockowandt C, Florin G, Atic E, Redwan IN, Fredriksson R, Kozlova EN. Molecular genetic analysis of neural stem cells after space flight and simulated microgravity on earth. Biotechnol Bioeng 2021; 118:3832-3846. [PMID: 34125436 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how stem cells adapt to space flight conditions is fundamental for human space missions and extraterrestrial settlement. We analyzed gene expression in boundary cap neural crest stem cells (BCs), which are attractive for regenerative medicine by their ability to promote proliferation and survival of cocultured and co-implanted cells. BCs were launched to space (space exposed cells) (SEC), onboard sounding rocket MASER 14 as free-floating neurospheres or in a bioprinted scaffold. For comparison, BCs were placed in a random positioning machine (RPM) to simulate microgravity on earth (RPM cells) or were cultured under control conditions in the laboratory. Using next-generation RNA sequencing and data post-processing, we discovered that SEC upregulated genes related to proliferation and survival, whereas RPM cells upregulated genes associated with differentiation and inflammation. Thus, (i) space flight provides unique conditions with distinctly different effects on the properties of BC compared to earth controls, and (ii) the space flight exposure induces postflight properties that reinforce the utility of BC for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Han
- Department of Neuroscience, Regenerative Neurobiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lukas Zeger
- Department of Neuroscience, Regenerative Neurobiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rekha Tripathi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Bioscience, Molecular Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marcel Egli
- Luzerne School of Engineering and Architecture, Institute of Medical Engineering (IMT), Luzerne, Switzerland
| | - Fabian Ille
- Luzerne School of Engineering and Architecture, Institute of Medical Engineering (IMT), Luzerne, Switzerland
| | | | - Gunnar Florin
- Swedish Space Corporation, Science Service Division, Solna, Sweden
| | | | | | - Robert Fredriksson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Bioscience, Molecular Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Elena N Kozlova
- Department of Neuroscience, Regenerative Neurobiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Mikheeva I, Mikhailova G, Shtanchaev R, Arkhipov V, Pavlik L. Influence of a 30-day spaceflight on the structure of motoneurons of the trochlear nerve nucleus in mice. Brain Res 2021; 1758:147331. [PMID: 33539796 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2021.147331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
During spaceflight and immediately after it, adaptive neuroplastic changes occur in the sensorimotor structures of the central nervous system, which are associated with changes of mainly vestibular and visual signals. It is known that the movement of the eyeball in the vertical direction is carried out by muscles that are innervated by the trochlear nerve (CN IV) and the oculomotor nerve (CN III). To elucidate the cellular processes underlying the atypical vertical nystagmus that occurs under microgravity conditions, it seems necessary to study the state of these nuclei in animals in more detail after prolonged space flights. We carried out a qualitative and quantitative light-optical and ultrastructural analysis of the nuclei of the trochlear nerve in mice after a 30-day flight on the Bion-M1 biosatellite. As a result, it was shown that the dendrites of motoneurons in the nucleus of the trochlear nerve significantly reorganized their geometry and orientation under microgravity conditions. The number of dendritic branches was increased, possibly in order to amplify the reduced signal flow. To ensure such plastic changes, the number and size of mitochondria in the soma of motoneurons and in axons coming from the vestibular structures increased. Thus, the main role in the adaptation of the trochlear nucleus to microgravity conditions, apparently, belongs to the dendrites of motoneurons, which rearrange their structure and function to enhance the flow of sensory information. These results complement our knowledge of the causes of atypical nystagmus in microgravity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Mikheeva
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region 142290, Russia.
| | - Gulnara Mikhailova
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region 142290, Russia
| | - Rashid Shtanchaev
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region 142290, Russia
| | - Vladimir Arkhipov
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region 142290, Russia; State Natural Science Institute, Pushchino, Moscow Region 142290, Russia
| | - Lyubov Pavlik
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region 142290, Russia; State Natural Science Institute, Pushchino, Moscow Region 142290, Russia
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Das S, Nalini A, Laxmi TR, Raju TR. ALS-CSF-induced structural changes in spinal motor neurons of rat pups cause deficits in motor behaviour. Exp Brain Res 2020; 239:315-327. [PMID: 33170340 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-020-05969-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a late-onset, neurodegenerative disease associated with the loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord, brain stem and primary motor cortex. Deficit in the motor function is one of the clinical features of this disease. However, the association between adverse morphological alterations in the spinal motor neurons and motor deficit in sporadic ALS (SALS) is still debated. The present study has sought to investigate the effects of serial intrathecal injections of ALS-CSF into rat pups, at post-natal (P) days 3, 9 and 14, on the motor neuronal (MN) morphology at the cervical and lumbar levels of the spinal cord at P16 and P22. The present study used Cresyl violet and Golgi-Cox staining methods to determine the progressive changes in the morphology of spinal MNs in both cervical and lumbar extensions. The study found a loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord (36% for P16 in cervical and 41.7% in P16 lumbar and 49.57% for P22 cervical and 44.63% for P22 lumbar) and reduced choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) expression after repeated infusion of ALS-CSF. Significant increase in the soma area was also found in ALS-CSF rats (around 21% in P22 cervical and 26.4% in P22 lumbar). Soma hypertrophy was associated with increased dendritic arborization of MNs at both cervical and lumbar levels of the spinal cord. The data also showed a direct correlation between ALS-CSF induced changes in the MN number in the spinal cord and motor behavioral deficits. The loss of MNs, reduced ChAT, changes in soma and dendritic morphology with declined rotarod performance, thus, confirming the pathological phenotypes as seen in ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Das
- Department of Neurophysiology, NIMHANS, Hosur Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560 029, India
| | - A Nalini
- Department of Neurology, NIMHANS, Hosur Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - T R Laxmi
- Department of Neurophysiology, NIMHANS, Hosur Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560 029, India.
| | - T R Raju
- Department of Neurophysiology, NIMHANS, Hosur Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560 029, India
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Hand AR, Dagdeviren D, Larson NA, Haxhi C, Mednieks MI. Effects of spaceflight on the mouse submandibular gland. Arch Oral Biol 2019; 110:104621. [PMID: 31805482 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2019.104621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to determine if the morphology and biochemistry of the mouse submandibular gland is affected by microgravity and the spaceflight environment. DESIGN Tissues from female mice flown on the US space shuttle missions Space Transportation System (STS)-131 and STS-135 for 15 and 13 d, respectively, and from male mice flown on the 30 d Russian Bion-M1 biosatellite, were examined using transmission electron microscopy and light and electron microscopic immunohistochemistry. RESULTS In contrast to the parotid gland, morphologic changes were not apparent in the submandibular gland. No significant changes in protein expression, as assessed by quantitative immunogold labeling, occurred in female mice flown for 13-15 d. In male mice, however, increased labeling for salivary androgen binding protein alpha (in acinar cell secretory granules), and epidermal growth factor and nerve growth factor (in granular convoluted duct cell granules) was seen after 30 d in space. CONCLUSION These results indicate that spaceflight alters secretory protein expression in the submandibular gland and suggest that the sex of the animals and the length of the flight may affect the response. These findings also show that individual salivary glands respond differently to spaceflight. Saliva contains proteins secreted from salivary glands and is easily collected, therefore is a useful biofluid for general medical analyses and in particular for monitoring the physiology and health of astronauts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur R Hand
- Department of Craniofacial Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA.
| | - Didem Dagdeviren
- Department of Oral Health and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Natasha A Larson
- Department of Craniofacial Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Christopher Haxhi
- Department of Craniofacial Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Maija I Mednieks
- Department of Oral Health and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
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Dukkipati SS, Garrett TL, Elbasiouny SM. The vulnerability of spinal motoneurons and soma size plasticity in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Physiol 2018; 596:1723-1745. [PMID: 29502344 DOI: 10.1113/jp275498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Motoneuron soma size is a largely plastic property that is altered during amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) progression. We report evidence of systematic spinal motoneuron soma size plasticity in mutant SOD1-G93A mice at various disease stages and across sexes, spinal regions and motoneuron types. We show that disease-vulnerable motoneurons exhibit early increased soma sizes. We show via computer simulations that the measured changes in soma size have a profound impact on the excitability of disease-vulnerable motoneurons. This study reveals a novel form of plasticity in ALS and suggests a potential target for altering motoneuron function and survival. ABSTRACT α-Motoneuron soma size is correlated with the cell's excitability and function, and has been posited as a plastic property that changes during cellular maturation, injury and disease. This study examined whether α-motoneuron somas change in size over disease progression in the G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease characterized by progressive motoneuron death. We used 2D- and 3D-morphometric analysis of motoneuron size and measures of cell density at four key disease stages: neonatal (P10 - with earliest known disease changes); young adult (P30 - presymptomatic with early motoneuron death); symptom onset (P90 - with death of 70-80% of motoneurons); and end-stage (P120+ - with full paralysis of hindlimbs). We additionally examined differences in lumbar vs. sacral vs. cervical motoneurons; in motoneurons from male vs. female mice; and in fast vs. slow motoneurons. We present the first evidence of plastic changes in the soma size of spinal α-motoneurons occurring throughout different stages of ALS with profound effects on motoneuron excitability. Somatic changes are time dependent and are characterized by early-stage enlargement (P10 and P30); no change around symptom onset; and shrinkage at end-stage. A key finding in the study indicates that disease-vulnerable motoneurons exhibit increased soma sizes (P10 and P30). This pattern was confirmed across spinal cord regions, genders and motoneuron types. This extends the theory of motoneuron size-based vulnerability in ALS: not only are larger motoneurons more vulnerable to death in ALS, but are also enlarged further in the disease. Such information is valuable for identifying ALS pathogenesis mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Shekar Dukkipati
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Boonshoft School of Medicine and College of Science and Mathematics, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, 45435, USA
| | - Teresa L Garrett
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Boonshoft School of Medicine and College of Science and Mathematics, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, 45435, USA
| | - Sherif M Elbasiouny
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Boonshoft School of Medicine and College of Science and Mathematics, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, 45435, USA.,Department of Biomedical, Industrial, and Human Factors Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, USA
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12
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Aseyev N, Vinarskaya AK, Roshchin M, Korshunova TA, Malyshev AY, Zuzina AB, Ierusalimsky VN, Lemak MS, Zakharov IS, Novikov IA, Kolosov P, Chesnokova E, Volkova S, Kasianov A, Uroshlev L, Popova Y, Boyle RD, Balaban PM. Adaptive Changes in the Vestibular System of Land Snail to a 30-Day Spaceflight and Readaptation on Return to Earth. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:348. [PMID: 29163058 PMCID: PMC5672023 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The vestibular system receives a permanent influence from gravity and reflexively controls equilibrium. If we assume gravity has remained constant during the species' evolution, will its sensory system adapt to abrupt loss of that force? We address this question in the land snail Helix lucorum exposed to 30 days of near weightlessness aboard the Bion-M1 satellite, and studied geotactic behavior of postflight snails, differential gene expressions in statocyst transcriptome, and electrophysiological responses of mechanoreceptors to applied tilts. Each approach revealed plastic changes in the snail's vestibular system assumed in response to spaceflight. Absence of light during the mission also affected statocyst physiology, as revealed by comparison to dark-conditioned control groups. Readaptation to normal tilt responses occurred at ~20 h following return to Earth. Despite the permanence of gravity, the snail responded in a compensatory manner to its loss and readapted once gravity was restored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolay Aseyev
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alia Kh. Vinarskaya
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Matvey Roshchin
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Aleksey Yu. Malyshev
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alena B. Zuzina
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Victor N. Ierusalimsky
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria S. Lemak
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - Peter Kolosov
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Chesnokova
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Svetlana Volkova
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Artem Kasianov
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russia Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Leonid Uroshlev
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russia Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yekaterina Popova
- Space Biosciences Research of NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
| | - Richard D. Boyle
- Space Biosciences Research of NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
| | - Pavel M. Balaban
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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