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Shinohara H, Muramoto M, Tamaoki D, Kamachi H, Inoue H, Kume A, Karahara I. Prolonged exposure to hypergravity increases number and size of cells and enhances lignin deposition in the stem of Arabidopsis thaliana. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2024:10.1007/s10265-024-01556-x. [PMID: 38954119 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-024-01556-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
We have performed a lab-based hypergravity cultivation experiment using a centrifuge equipped with a lighting system and examined long-term effects of hypergravity on the development of the main axis of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh.) primary inflorescence, which comprises the rachis and peduncle, collectively referred to as the main stem for simplicity. Plants grown under 1 × g (gravitational acceleration on Earth) conditions for 20-23 days and having the first visible flower bud were exposed to hypergravity at 8 × g for 10 days. We analyzed the effect of prolonged hypergravity conditions on growth, lignin deposition, and tissue anatomy of the main stem. As a result, the length of the main stem decreased and cross-sectional area, dry mass per unit length, cell number, and lignin content of the main stem significantly increased under hypergravity. Lignin content in the rosette leaves also increased when they were exposed to hypergravity during their development. Except for interfascicular fibers, cross-sectional areas of the tissues composing the internode significantly increased under hypergravity in most types of the tissues in the basal part than the apical part of the main stem, indicating that the effect of hypergravity is more pronounced in the basal part than the apical part. The number of cells in the fascicular cambium and xylem significantly increased under hypergravity both in the apical and basal internodes of the main stem, indicating a possibility that hypergravity stimulates procambium activity to produce xylem element more than phloem element. The main stem was suggested to be strengthened through changes in its morphological characteristics as well as lignin deposition under prolonged hypergravity conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Shinohara
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Masaki Muramoto
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Daisuke Tamaoki
- School of Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kamachi
- School of Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Inoue
- School of Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kume
- Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Ichirou Karahara
- School of Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan.
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2
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Salazar M, Joly S, Anglada-Escudé G, Ribas L. Epigenetic and physiological alterations in zebrafish subjected to hypergravity. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300310. [PMID: 38776274 PMCID: PMC11111069 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Gravity is one of the most constant environmental factors across Earth's evolution and all organisms are adapted to it. Consequently, spatial exploration has captured the interest in studying the biological changes that physiological alterations are caused by gravity. In the last two decades, epigenetics has explained how environmental cues can alter gene functions in organisms. Although many studies addressed gravity, the underlying biological and molecular mechanisms that occur in altered gravity for those epigenetics-related mechanisms, are mostly inexistent. The present study addressed the effects of hypergravity on development, behavior, gene expression, and most importantly, on the epigenetic changes in a worldwide animal model, the zebrafish (Danio rerio). To perform hypergravity experiments, a custom-centrifuge simulating the large diameter centrifuge (100 rpm ~ 3 g) was designed and zebrafish embryos were exposed during 5 days post fertilization (dpf). Results showed a significant decrease in survival at 2 dpf but no significance in the hatching rate. Physiological and morphological alterations including fish position, movement frequency, and swimming behavior showed significant changes due to hypergravity. Epigenetic studies showed significant hypermethylation of the genome of the zebrafish larvae subjected to 5 days of hypergravity. Downregulation of the gene expression of three epigenetic-related genes (dnmt1, dnmt3, and tet1), although not significant, was further observed. Taken altogether, gravity alterations affected biological responses including epigenetics in fish, providing a valuable roadmap of the putative hazards of living beyond Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Salazar
- Department of Renewable Marine Resources, Institut de Ciències del Mar—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICM-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Joly
- Department of Renewable Marine Resources, Institut de Ciències del Mar—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICM-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Guillem Anglada-Escudé
- Department of Astrophysics, Institut de Ciències de l’Espai—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICE-CSIC), UAB Campus at Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya–IEEC/CERCA, Gran Capità, 2–4, Edifici Nexus, Despatx 201, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Ribas
- Department of Renewable Marine Resources, Institut de Ciències del Mar—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICM-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
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3
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Pan C, Zhang Y, Yan J, Zhou Y, Wang S, Liu X, Zhang P, Yang H. Extreme environments and human health: From the immune microenvironments to immune cells. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 236:116800. [PMID: 37527745 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to extreme environments causes specific acute and chronic physiological responses in humans. The adaptation and the physiological processes under extreme environments predominantly affect multiple functional systems of the organism, in particular, the immune system. Dysfunction of the immune system affected by several extreme environments (including hyperbaric environment, hypoxia, blast shock, microgravity, hypergravity, radiation exposure, and magnetic environment) has been observed from clinical macroscopic symptoms to intracorporal immune microenvironments. Therefore, simulated extreme conditions are engineered for verifying the main influenced characteristics and factors in the immune microenvironments. This review summarizes the responses of immune microenvironments to these extreme environments during in vivo or in vitro exposure, and the approaches of engineering simulated extreme environments in recent decades. The related microenvironment engineering, signaling pathways, molecular mechanisms, clinical therapy, and prevention strategies are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengwei Pan
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China; Engineering Research Center of Chinese Ministry of Education for Biological Diagnosis, Treatment and Protection Technology and Equipment, China; Research Center of Special Environmental Biomechanics & Medical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China
| | - Yuzhi Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China; Engineering Research Center of Chinese Ministry of Education for Biological Diagnosis, Treatment and Protection Technology and Equipment, China; Research Center of Special Environmental Biomechanics & Medical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China
| | - Jinxiao Yan
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China; Engineering Research Center of Chinese Ministry of Education for Biological Diagnosis, Treatment and Protection Technology and Equipment, China; Research Center of Special Environmental Biomechanics & Medical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China
| | - Yidan Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China; Engineering Research Center of Chinese Ministry of Education for Biological Diagnosis, Treatment and Protection Technology and Equipment, China; Research Center of Special Environmental Biomechanics & Medical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China
| | - Sijie Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China; Engineering Research Center of Chinese Ministry of Education for Biological Diagnosis, Treatment and Protection Technology and Equipment, China; Research Center of Special Environmental Biomechanics & Medical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China
| | - Xiru Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China; Engineering Research Center of Chinese Ministry of Education for Biological Diagnosis, Treatment and Protection Technology and Equipment, China; Research Center of Special Environmental Biomechanics & Medical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China
| | - Pan Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China; Research Center of Special Environmental Biomechanics & Medical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China; School of Food Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, 710021, China.
| | - Hui Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China; Engineering Research Center of Chinese Ministry of Education for Biological Diagnosis, Treatment and Protection Technology and Equipment, China; Research Center of Special Environmental Biomechanics & Medical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China.
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Bonetto V, Magnelli V, Sabbatini M, Caprì F, van Loon JJWA, Tavella S, Masini MA. The importance of gravity vector on adult mammalian organisms: Effects of hypergravity on mouse testis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282625. [PMID: 37773950 PMCID: PMC10540970 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In the age of space exploration, the effect of hypergravity on human physiology is a relatively neglected topic. However, astronauts have several experiences of hypergravity during their missions. The main disturbance of altered gravity can be imputed to cell cytoskeleton alteration and physiologic homeostasis of the body. Testis has proved to be a particularly sensible organ, subject to environmental alteration and physiological disturbance. This makes testis an organ eligible for investigating the alteration following exposure to altered gravity. In our study, mice were exposed to hypergravity (3g for 14 days) in the Large Diameter Centrifuge machine (ESA, Netherland). We have observed a morphological alteration of the regular architecture of the seminiferous tubules of testis as well as an altered expression of factors involved in the junctional complexes of Sertoli cells, responsible for ensuring the morpho-functional integrity of the organ. The expression of key receptors in physiological performance, such as Androgen Receptors and Interstitial Cells Stimulating Hormone receptors, was found lower expressed. All these findings indicate the occurrence of altered physiological organ performance such as the reduction of the spermatozoa number and altered endocrine parameters following hypergravity exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Bonetto
- Department of Science and Technology Innovation, University of Eastern Piedmont (UPO), Alessandria (AL), Italy
| | - Valeria Magnelli
- Department of Science and Technology Innovation, University of Eastern Piedmont (UPO), Alessandria (AL), Italy
| | - Maurizio Sabbatini
- Department of Science and Technology Innovation, University of Eastern Piedmont (UPO), Alessandria (AL), Italy
| | - Flavia Caprì
- Department of Science and Technology Innovation, University of Eastern Piedmont (UPO), Alessandria (AL), Italy
| | - Jack J. W. A. van Loon
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Pathology, Amsterdam Movement Sciences & Amsterdam Bone Center (ABC), Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam & Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Life Support and Physical Sciences Section (TEC-MMG), European Space Agency (ESA), European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), Noordwijk, The Netherland
| | - Sara Tavella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa (GE), Italy
| | - Maria Angela Masini
- Department of Science and Technology Innovation, University of Eastern Piedmont (UPO), Alessandria (AL), Italy
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Grigoryan EN. Impact of Microgravity and Other Spaceflight Factors on Retina of Vertebrates and Humans In Vivo and In Vitro. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1263. [PMID: 37374046 DOI: 10.3390/life13061263] [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: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Spaceflight (SF) increases the risk of developmental, regenerative, and physiological disorders in animals and humans. Astronauts, besides bone loss, muscle atrophy, and cardiovascular and immune system alterations, undergo ocular disorders affecting posterior eye tissues, including the retina. Few studies revealed abnormalities in the development and changes in the regeneration of eye tissues in lower vertebrates after SF and simulated microgravity. Under microgravity conditions, mammals show disturbances in the retinal vascular system and increased risk of oxidative stress that can lead to cell death in the retina. Animal studies provided evidence of gene expression changes associated with cellular stress, inflammation, and aberrant signaling pathways. Experiments using retinal cells in microgravity-modeling systems in vitro additionally indicated micro-g-induced changes at the molecular level. Here, we provide an overview of the literature and the authors' own data to assess the predictive value of structural and functional alterations for developing countermeasures and mitigating the SF effects on the human retina. Further emphasis is given to the importance of animal studies on the retina and other eye tissues in vivo and retinal cells in vitro aboard spacecraft for understanding alterations in the vertebrate visual system in response to stress caused by gravity variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora N Grigoryan
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
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Sekulic S, Jovanovic A, Zivanovic Z, Simic S, Kesic S, Petkovic B, Capo I, van Loon JJ. Which precocial rodent species is more suitable as the experimental model of microgravity influence on prenatal musculosketal development on international space station? LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2022; 33:48-57. [PMID: 35491029 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The International Space Station (ISS) has the possibility to perform experiments regarding rodent reproduction in microgravity. The musculoskeletal system at birth in precocial rodent species more resembles the human than that of altricial rodent species. For precocial rodent species with body weight ≤ 500 g (limit of ISS) determined were: adult body mass, newborn body mass, head-body length, tail length, existing variants (wild, domesticated, laboratory), single/group housing, dry food consumption/24 h, water intake/24 h, basal metabolic rate mlO2/g/h, environmental temperature, sand baths, urine output ml/24 h, fecal output g/24 h, size of fecal droplet, hair length, life span, length of oestrus cycle, duration of pregnancy, building nest, litter size, stage of musculoskeletal maturity at birth, and the duration of weaning. Characteristics were obtained by searching SCOPUS as well as the World Wide Web with key words for each of the species in English, Latin and, local language name. These characteristics were compared in order to find most appropriate species. Twelve precocial rodent species were identified. There is not enough data for Common yellow-toothed cavy, and Eastern spiny mouse. Inappropriate species were: Gundis, Dassie rat are a more demanding species for appropriate tending, litter size is small; Octodon degus requires sand baths as well as a nest during the first two weeks after delivery; muscle maturity of Spiny mouse at birth (myotubular stage), does not correspond to the human (late histochemical stage); Chinchilla requires separately housing, daily sand baths, has upper limit of weight. Possibility of keeping Southern mountain cavy as pet animal, short estrus, large litter size, absence of the need for nest and sand baths, makes this species the most promising candidates for experiments on ISS. If an experiment is planned with exposing gravid animals before term of the birth, then they might be kept together in the existing Rodent Habitat (USA). If an experiment with birth in microgravity is planned on ISS, the existing habitats do not provide conditions for such an experiment. It is necessary to develop habitats for separate keeping of pregnant animals to enable the following: 1. undisturbed delivery 2. prevent the possibility of hurting the newborns 3. ensure adequate post-partum maternal care and nursing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slobodan Sekulic
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia; Faculty of Medicine, University in Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.
| | - Aleksandar Jovanovic
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia; Faculty of Medicine, University in Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Zeljko Zivanovic
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia; Faculty of Medicine, University in Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Svetlana Simic
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia; Faculty of Medicine, University in Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Srdjan Kesic
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Branka Petkovic
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ivan Capo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University in Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Jack Jwa van Loon
- Department Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery/Pathology, Amsterdam Movement Sciences & Amsterdam Bone Center (ABC), Amsterdam University Medical Center location VUmc & Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands; TEC-MMG-LISLab, European Space Agency (ESA) Technology Center (ESTEC), Noordwijk, The Netherlands
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Predicting the efficiency of oxygen-evolving electrolysis on the Moon and Mars. Nat Commun 2022; 13:583. [PMID: 35136074 PMCID: PMC8826910 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28147-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon or Mars requires a secure supply of oxygen for life support and refueling. The electrolysis of water has attracted significant attention in this regard as water-ice may exist on both the Moon and Mars. However, to date there has been no study examining how the lower gravitational fields on the Moon and Mars might affect gas-evolving electrolysis when compared to terrestrial conditions. Herein we provide experimental data on the effects of gravitational fields on water electrolysis from 0.166 g (lunar gravity) to 8 g (eight times the Earth’s gravity) and show that electrolytic oxygen production is reduced by around 11% under lunar gravity with our system compared to operation at 1 g. Moreover, our results indicate that electrolytic data collected using less resource-intensive ground-based experiments at elevated gravity (>1 g) may be extrapolated to gravitational levels below 1 g. Oxygen production using electrolysis will be critical for life support and refueling on the Moon and Mars. Herein, electrolysis under lunar and Martian gravity was found to be less efficient than electrolysis under Earth’s gravity, and predictable from data obtained using ground-based systems.
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Tran V, De Martino E, Hides J, Cable G, Elliott JM, Hoggarth M, Zange J, Lindsay K, Debuse D, Winnard A, Beard D, Cook JA, Salomoni SE, Weber T, Scott J, Hodges PW, Caplan N. Gluteal Muscle Atrophy and Increased Intramuscular Lipid Concentration Are Not Mitigated by Daily Artificial Gravity Following 60-Day Head-Down Tilt Bed Rest. Front Physiol 2021; 12:745811. [PMID: 34867450 PMCID: PMC8634875 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.745811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to spaceflight and head-down tilt (HDT) bed rest leads to decreases in the mass of the gluteal muscle. Preliminary results have suggested that interventions, such as artificial gravity (AG), can partially mitigate some of the physiological adaptations induced by HDT bed rest. However, its effect on the gluteal muscles is currently unknown. This study investigated the effects of daily AG on the gluteal muscles during 60-day HDT bed rest. Twenty-four healthy individuals participated in the study: eight received 30 min of continuous AG; eight received 6 × 5 min of AG, interspersed with rest periods; eight belonged to a control group. T1-weighted Dixon magnetic resonance imaging of the hip region was conducted at baseline and day 59 of HDT bed rest to establish changes in volumes and intramuscular lipid concentration (ILC). Results showed that, across groups, muscle volumes decreased by 9.2% for gluteus maximus (GMAX), 8.0% for gluteus medius (GMED), and 10.5% for gluteus minimus after 59-day HDT bed rest (all p < 0.005). The ILC increased by 1.3% for GMAX and 0.5% for GMED (both p < 0.05). Neither of the AG protocols mitigated deconditioning of the gluteal muscles. Whereas all gluteal muscles atrophied, the ratio of lipids to intramuscular water increased only in GMAX and GMED muscles. These changes could impair the function of the hip joint and increased the risk of falls. The deconditioning of the gluteal muscles in space may negatively impact the hip joint stability of astronauts when reexpose to terrestrial gravity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vienna Tran
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Enrico De Martino
- Aerospace Medicine and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Julie Hides
- School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Gordon Cable
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - James M. Elliott
- Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The Kolling Research Institute Sydney, Northern Sydney Local Health District, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark Hoggarth
- Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Jochen Zange
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Kirsty Lindsay
- Aerospace Medicine and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Dorothée Debuse
- Aerospace Medicine and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Winnard
- Aerospace Medicine and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - David Beard
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan A. Cook
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sauro E. Salomoni
- NHMRC Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Tobias Weber
- Space Medicine Team (HRE-OM), European Astronaut Centre, Cologne, Germany
- KBR GmbH, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jonathan Scott
- Space Medicine Team (HRE-OM), European Astronaut Centre, Cologne, Germany
- KBR GmbH, Cologne, Germany
| | - Paul W. Hodges
- NHMRC Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nick Caplan
- Aerospace Medicine and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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Kharlamova A, Proshchina A, Gulimova V, Krivova Y, Soldatov P, Saveliev S. Cerebellar morphology and behavioural correlations of the vestibular function alterations in weightlessness. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 126:314-328. [PMID: 33766673 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In humans and other vertebrates, the range of disturbances and behavioural changes induced by spaceflight conditions are well known. Sensory organs and the central nervous system (CNS) are forced to adapt to new environmental conditions of weightlessness. In comparison with peripheral vestibular organs and behavioural disturbances in weightlessness conditions, the CNS vestibular centres of vertebrates, including the cerebellum, have been poorly examined in orbital experiments, as well as in experimental micro- and hypergravity. However, the cerebellum serves as a critical control centre for learning and sensory system integration during space-flight. Thus, it is referred to as a principal brain structure for adaptation to gravity and the entire sensorimotor adaptation and learning during weightlessness. This paper is focused on the prolonged spaceflight effects on the vestibular cerebellum evidenced from animal models used in the Bion-M1 project. The changes in the peripheral vestibular apparatus and brainstem primary vestibular centres with appropriate behavioural disorders after altered gravity exposure are briefly reviewed. The cerebellum studies in space missions and altered gravity are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Kharlamova
- Research Institute of Human Morphology, 117418, Tsyurupy St., 3, Moscow, Russia.
| | | | - Victoria Gulimova
- Research Institute of Human Morphology, 117418, Tsyurupy St., 3, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yulia Krivova
- Research Institute of Human Morphology, 117418, Tsyurupy St., 3, Moscow, Russia
| | - Pavel Soldatov
- State Scientific Center of Russian Federation Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 123007, Khoroshevskoyoe Shosse, 76A, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey Saveliev
- Research Institute of Human Morphology, 117418, Tsyurupy St., 3, Moscow, Russia
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EMT Transcription Factors Are Involved in the Altered Cell Adhesion under Simulated Microgravity Effect or Overloading by Regulation of E-cadherin. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21041349. [PMID: 32079291 PMCID: PMC7072942 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to study the effect of stress changes on cell adhesion, HUVEC, and MCF-7 cells were treated with simulated microgravity effect (SMG) and overloading (OL). Methods: Rotating Wall Vessel (2D-RWVS) bioreactor was used to create different culture conditions. In addition, the alteration of cell adhesion states, adhesion proteins, and relating factors of adhesion molecules under these two conditions were detected using cell adhesion assay, immunofluorescence, western blot, and qRT-PCR technology. Results: The results showed that the adhesion of cells decreased under SMG, while increased under OL. The expressions of integrin β1, paxillin, and E-cadherin under SMG condition were down-regulated as compared to that of the control group showing a time-dependent pattern of the decreasing. However, under OL condition, the expressions of adhesion proteins were up-regulated as compared to that of the control group, with a time-dependent pattern of increasing. EMT transcription factors Snail, twist, and ZEB1 were up-regulated under SMG while down-regulated under OL. Conclusion: Collectively our results indicated that cells could respond to stress changes to regulate the expressions of adhesion proteins and adapt their adhesion state to the altered mechanical environment. The altered cell adhesion in response to the mechanical stress may involve the changed expression of EMT-inducing factors, Snail, Twist, and ZEB1under the SMG/OL conditions.
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Stervbo U, Roch T, Kornprobst T, Sawitzki B, Grütz G, Wilhelm A, Lacombe F, Allou K, Kaymer M, Pacheco A, Vigne J, Westhoff TH, Seibert FS, Babel N. Gravitational stress during parabolic flights reduces the number of circulating innate and adaptive leukocyte subsets in human blood. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206272. [PMID: 30427865 PMCID: PMC6235284 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gravitational stress occurs during space flights or certain physical activities including extreme sports, where the change in experienced gravitational acceleration can reach large magnitudes. These changes include reduction and increase in the physical forces experienced by the body and may potentially induce pathogenic alterations of physiological processes. The immune system is known to regulate most functions in the human organism and previous studies suggest an impairment of the immune function under gravitational stress. However, systematic studies aiming to investigate the effect of gravitational stress on cellular immune response in humans are lacking. Since parabolic flights are considered as feasible model to investigate a short-term impact of gravitational changes, we evaluated the influence of gravitational stress on the immune system by analyzing leukocyte numbers before and after parabolic flight maneuvers in human blood. To correct for circadian effects, samples were taken at the corresponding time points on ground the day before the flight. The parabolic flight maneuvers led to changes in numbers of different leukocyte subsets. Naïve and memory T and B cell subsets decreased under gravitational stress and lower numbers of basophils and eosinophils were observed. Only circulating neutrophils increased during the parabolic flight. The observed changes could not be attributed to stress-induced cortisol effects, since cortisol levels were not affected. Our data demonstrate that the gravitational stress by parabolic flights can affect all parts of the human immune system. Consequently, it is possible that gravitational stress can have clinically relevant impacts on the control of immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrik Stervbo
- Center for Translational Medicine - Medical Clinic I, Marien Hospital Herne - University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Herne, Germany
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Toralf Roch
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tina Kornprobst
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Birgit Sawitzki
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gerald Grütz
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Wilhelm
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Francis Lacombe
- Laboratoire d’hématologie, CHU de Bordeaux, Hôpital Haut-Lévêque, Pessac, France
| | - Kaoutar Allou
- Laboratoire d’hématologie, CHU de Bordeaux, Hôpital Haut-Lévêque, Pessac, France
| | | | | | | | - Timm H. Westhoff
- Center for Translational Medicine - Medical Clinic I, Marien Hospital Herne - University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Herne, Germany
| | - Felix S. Seibert
- Center for Translational Medicine - Medical Clinic I, Marien Hospital Herne - University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Herne, Germany
| | - Nina Babel
- Center for Translational Medicine - Medical Clinic I, Marien Hospital Herne - University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Herne, Germany
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
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12
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Mao XW, Byrum S, Nishiyama NC, Pecaut MJ, Sridharan V, Boerma M, Tackett AJ, Shiba D, Shirakawa M, Takahashi S, Delp MD. Impact of Spaceflight and Artificial Gravity on the Mouse Retina: Biochemical and Proteomic Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E2546. [PMID: 30154332 PMCID: PMC6165321 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19092546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Astronauts are reported to have experienced some impairment in visual acuity during their mission on the International Space Station (ISS) and after they returned to Earth. There is emerging evidence that changes in vision may involve alterations in ocular structure and function. To investigate possible mechanisms, changes in protein expression profiles and oxidative stress-associated apoptosis were examined in mouse ocular tissue after spaceflight. Nine-week-old male C57BL/6 mice (n = 12) were launched from the Kennedy Space Center on a SpaceX rocket to the ISS for a 35-day mission. The animals were housed in the mouse Habitat Cage Unit (HCU) in the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) "Kibo" facility on the ISS. The flight mice lived either under an ambient microgravity condition (µg) or in a centrifugal habitat unit that produced 1 g artificial gravity (µg + 1 g). Habitat control (HC) and vivarium control mice lived on Earth in HCUs or normal vivarium cages, respectively. Quantitative assessment of ocular tissue demonstrated that the µg group induced significant apoptosis in the retina vascular endothelial cells compared to all other groups (p < 0.05) that was 64% greater than that in the HC group. Proteomic analysis showed that many key pathways responsible for cell death, cell repair, inflammation, and metabolic stress were significantly altered in µg mice compared to HC animals. Additionally, there were more significant changes in regulated protein expression in the µg group relative to that in the µg + 1 g group. These data provide evidence that spaceflight induces retinal apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells and changes in retinal protein expression related to cellular structure, immune response and metabolic function, and that artificial gravity (AG) provides some protection against these changes. These retinal cellular responses may affect blood⁻retinal barrier (BRB) integrity, visual acuity, and impact the potential risk of developing late retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao W Mao
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BMES), Loma Linda University School of Medicine and Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.
| | - Stephanie Byrum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA..
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA.
| | - Nina C Nishiyama
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BMES), Loma Linda University School of Medicine and Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.
| | - Michael J Pecaut
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BMES), Loma Linda University School of Medicine and Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.
| | - Vijayalakshmi Sridharan
- Division of Radiation Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
| | - Marjan Boerma
- Division of Radiation Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
| | - Alan J Tackett
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA..
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA.
| | - Dai Shiba
- JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, JAXA, Tsukuba 305-8505, Japan.
| | - Masaki Shirakawa
- JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, JAXA, Tsukuba 305-8505, Japan.
| | - Satoru Takahashi
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan.
| | - Michael D Delp
- Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
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13
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International roadmap for artificial gravity research. NPJ Microgravity 2017; 3:29. [PMID: 29184903 PMCID: PMC5701204 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-017-0034-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Revised: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we summarize the current and future research activities that will determine the requirements for implementing artificial gravity (AG) to mitigate the effects of long duration exposure to microgravity on board exploration class space vehicles. NASA and its international partners have developed an AG roadmap that contains a common set of goals, objectives, and milestones. This roadmap includes both ground-based and space-based projects, and involves human subjects as well as animal and cell models. It provides a framework that facilitates opportunities for collaboration using the full range of AG facilities that are available worldwide, and a forum for space physiologists, crew surgeons, astronauts, vehicle designers, and mission planners to review, evaluate, and discuss the issues of incorporating AG technologies into the vehicle design.
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14
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Iwaniec UT, Turner RT. Influence of body weight on bone mass, architecture and turnover. J Endocrinol 2016; 230:R115-30. [PMID: 27352896 PMCID: PMC4980254 DOI: 10.1530/joe-16-0089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Weight-dependent loading of the skeleton plays an important role in establishing and maintaining bone mass and strength. This review focuses on mechanical signaling induced by body weight as an essential mechanism for maintaining bone health. In addition, the skeletal effects of deviation from normal weight are discussed. The magnitude of mechanical strain experienced by bone during normal activities is remarkably similar among vertebrates, regardless of size, supporting the existence of a conserved regulatory mechanism, or mechanostat, that senses mechanical strain. The mechanostat functions as an adaptive mechanism to optimize bone mass and architecture based on prevailing mechanical strain. Changes in weight, due to altered mass, weightlessness (spaceflight), and hypergravity (modeled by centrifugation), induce an adaptive skeletal response. However, the precise mechanisms governing the skeletal response are incompletely understood. Furthermore, establishing whether the adaptive response maintains the mechanical competence of the skeleton has proven difficult, necessitating the development of surrogate measures of bone quality. The mechanostat is influenced by regulatory inputs to facilitate non-mechanical functions of the skeleton, such as mineral homeostasis, as well as hormones and energy/nutrient availability that support bone metabolism. Although the skeleton is very capable of adapting to changes in weight, the mechanostat has limits. At the limits, extreme deviations from normal weight and body composition are associated with impaired optimization of bone strength to prevailing body size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urszula T Iwaniec
- Skeletal Biology LaboratorySchool of Biological and Population Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA Center for Healthy Aging ResearchOregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Russell T Turner
- Skeletal Biology LaboratorySchool of Biological and Population Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA Center for Healthy Aging ResearchOregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
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15
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Bae JE, Bang S, Min S, Lee SH, Kwon SH, Lee Y, Lee YH, Chung J, Chae KS. Positive geotactic behaviors induced by geomagnetic field in Drosophila. Mol Brain 2016; 9:55. [PMID: 27192976 PMCID: PMC4870802 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-016-0235-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Appropriate vertical movement is critical for the survival of flying animals. Although negative geotaxis (moving away from Earth) driven by gravity has been extensively studied, much less is understood concerning a static regulatory mechanism for inducing positive geotaxis (moving toward Earth). Results Using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism, we showed that geomagnetic field (GMF) induces positive geotaxis and antagonizes negative gravitaxis. Remarkably, GMF acts as a sensory cue for an appetite-driven associative learning behavior through the GMF-induced positive geotaxis. This GMF-induced positive geotaxis requires the three geotaxis genes, such as cry, pyx and pdf, and the corresponding neurons residing in Johnston’s organ of the fly’s antennae. Conclusions These findings provide a novel concept with the neurogenetic basis on the regulation of vertical movement by GMF in the flying animals. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13041-016-0235-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Eun Bae
- Department of Biology Education, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehakro, Bukgu, Daegu, 41566, Korea.,Department of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Sunhoe Bang
- National Creative Research Initiatives Center for Energy Homeostasis Regulation, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics and School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-742, Korea
| | - Soohong Min
- National Creative Research Initiatives Center for Energy Homeostasis Regulation, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics and School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-742, Korea
| | - Sang-Hyup Lee
- Department of Biology Education, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehakro, Bukgu, Daegu, 41566, Korea
| | - Soon-Hwan Kwon
- Department of Biology Education, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehakro, Bukgu, Daegu, 41566, Korea
| | - Youngseok Lee
- Department of Bio and Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yong-Ho Lee
- Brain and Cognition Measurement Laboratory, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jongkyeong Chung
- National Creative Research Initiatives Center for Energy Homeostasis Regulation, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics and School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-742, Korea.
| | - Kwon-Seok Chae
- Department of Biology Education, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehakro, Bukgu, Daegu, 41566, Korea. .,Department of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea. .,Brain Science and Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
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16
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Tateishi R, Akiyama N, Miyauchi M, Yoshinaga R, Sasanuma H, Kudo T, Shimbo M, Shinohara M, Obata K, Inoue JI, Shirakawa M, Shiba D, Asahara H, Yoshida N, Takahashi S, Morita H, Akiyama T. Hypergravity Provokes a Temporary Reduction in CD4+CD8+ Thymocyte Number and a Persistent Decrease in Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cell Frequency in Mice. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0141650. [PMID: 26513242 PMCID: PMC4626100 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Gravity change affects many immunological systems. We investigated the effects of hypergravity (2G) on murine thymic cells. Exposure of mice to 2G for three days reduced the frequency of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes (DP) and mature medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), accompanied by an increment of keratin-5 and keratin-8 double-positive (K5+K8+) TECs that reportedly contain TEC progenitors. Whereas the reduction of DP was recovered by a 14-day exposure to 2G, the reduction of mature mTECs and the increment of K5+K8+ TEC persisted. Interestingly, a surgical lesion of the inner ear’s vestibular apparatus inhibited these hypergravity effects. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that the gene expression of Aire and RANK that are critical for mTEC function and development were up-regulated by the 3-day exposure and subsequently down-regulated by the 14-day exposure to 2G. Unexpectedly, this dynamic change in mTEC gene expression was independent of the vestibular apparatus. Overall, data suggest that 2G causes a temporary reduction of DP and a persistent reduction of mature mTECs in a vestibular system-dependent manner, and also dysregulates mTEC gene expression without involving the vestibular system. These data might provide insight on the impact of gravity change on thymic functions during spaceflight and living.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Tateishi
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Mouse epigenetics project, ISS/Kibo experiment, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Nobuko Akiyama
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Mouse epigenetics project, ISS/Kibo experiment, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Maki Miyauchi
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Mouse epigenetics project, ISS/Kibo experiment, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Riko Yoshinaga
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Mouse epigenetics project, ISS/Kibo experiment, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hiroki Sasanuma
- Mouse epigenetics project, ISS/Kibo experiment, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, Tsukuba, Japan
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, Center for Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Kudo
- Mouse epigenetics project, ISS/Kibo experiment, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, Tsukuba, Japan
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Miki Shimbo
- Mouse epigenetics project, ISS/Kibo experiment, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, Tsukuba, Japan
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Masahiro Shinohara
- Mouse epigenetics project, ISS/Kibo experiment, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, Tsukuba, Japan
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
- JST, PRESTO, Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan
| | - Koji Obata
- Mouse epigenetics project, ISS/Kibo experiment, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, Tsukuba, Japan
- Department of Physiology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Jun-ichiro Inoue
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaki Shirakawa
- Mouse epigenetics project, ISS/Kibo experiment, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, Tsukuba, Japan
- JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, JAXA, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Dai Shiba
- Mouse epigenetics project, ISS/Kibo experiment, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, Tsukuba, Japan
- JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, JAXA, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Asahara
- Mouse epigenetics project, ISS/Kibo experiment, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, Tsukuba, Japan
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Yoshida
- Mouse epigenetics project, ISS/Kibo experiment, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, Tsukuba, Japan
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, Center for Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoru Takahashi
- Mouse epigenetics project, ISS/Kibo experiment, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, Tsukuba, Japan
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hironobu Morita
- Mouse epigenetics project, ISS/Kibo experiment, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, Tsukuba, Japan
- Department of Physiology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
- * E-mail: (TA); (HM)
| | - Taishin Akiyama
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Mouse epigenetics project, ISS/Kibo experiment, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, Tsukuba, Japan
- * E-mail: (TA); (HM)
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17
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A load of mice to hypergravity causes AMPKα repression with liver injury, which is overcome by preconditioning loads via Nrf2. Sci Rep 2015; 5:15643. [PMID: 26493041 PMCID: PMC4616048 DOI: 10.1038/srep15643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
An understanding of the effects of hypergravity on energy homeostasis is necessary in managing proper physiological countermeasures for aerospace missions. This study investigated whether a single or multiple load(s) of mice to hypergravity has an effect on molecules associated with energy metabolism. In the liver, AMPKα level and its signaling were repressed 6 h after a load to +9 Gz hypergravity for 1 h, and then gradually returned toward normal. AMPKα level was restored after 3 loads to +9 Gz, suggestive of preconditioning adaptation. In cDNA microarray analyses, 221 genes were differentially expressed by +9 Gz, and the down-regulated genes included Nrf2 targets. Nrf2 gene knockout abrogated the recovery of AMPKα elicited by 3 loads to +9 Gz, indicating that Nrf2 plays a role in the adaptive increase of AMPKα. In addition, +9 Gz stress decreased STAT3, FOXO1/3 and CREB levels, which was attenuated during the resting time. Similarly, apoptotic markers were enhanced in the liver, indicating that the liver may be vulnerable to hypergravity stress. Preconditioning loads prevented hepatocyte apoptosis. Overall, a load of mice to +9 Gz hypergravity causes AMPKα repression with liver injury, which may be overcome by multiple loads to hypergravity as mediated by Nrf2.
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18
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Gnyubkin V, Guignandon A, Laroche N, Vanden-Bossche A, Normand M, Lafage-Proust MH, Vico L. Effects of chronic hypergravity: from adaptive to deleterious responses in growing mouse skeleton. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2015; 119:908-17. [PMID: 26228999 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00364.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most important but least studied environmental factors playing a major role in bone physiology is gravity. While the knowledge of deleterious effects of microgravity on the skeleton is expanding, little is known about hypergravity and its osteogenic potential. Centrifugation was used to assess effects of 21-day continuous 2- or 3-g acceleration on femur and L2-vertebra of 7-wk-old male C57BL/6 mice. Under 3 g, body mass growth slowed down, and deleterious skeletal effects were found (P < 0.05 compared with control): cortical thinning, osteoclasts surface increase (+41% in femur, +20% in vertebra), and bone formation rate decrease (-34% in femur, -38% in vertebra). A 2-g centrifugation did not reduce body mass and improved trabecular volume (+18% in femur, +13% in vertebra) and microarchitecture (+32% connectivity density in femur, +9% trabecular thickness in vertebra, P < 0.05 compared with control). Centrifugation at 2 g also decreased osteoclast surfaces (-36% in femur, -16% in vertebra) and increased the extent of mineralized surfaces (+31% in femur, +48% in vertebra, P < 0.05 compare to control). Quantitative immunohistochemistry revealed an increase of dentin matrix acidic phosphoprotein 1 (DMP1) and decrease of sclerostin (+60% and -35% respectively, P < 0.001 compared with control) in the femur cortex of 2-g mice. In the distal femur metaphysis, the number and volume of blood vessels increased by 22 and 44%, respectively (P < 0.05 compared with control). In conclusion, the effects of continuous hypergravity were bone compartment-specific and depended on the gravity level, with a threshold between beneficial 2-g and deleterious 3-g effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasily Gnyubkin
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1059, laboratoire de Biologie intégrative du Tissu Osseux, Université de Lyon, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Alain Guignandon
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1059, laboratoire de Biologie intégrative du Tissu Osseux, Université de Lyon, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Norbert Laroche
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1059, laboratoire de Biologie intégrative du Tissu Osseux, Université de Lyon, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Arnaud Vanden-Bossche
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1059, laboratoire de Biologie intégrative du Tissu Osseux, Université de Lyon, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Myriam Normand
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1059, laboratoire de Biologie intégrative du Tissu Osseux, Université de Lyon, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Marie-Hélène Lafage-Proust
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1059, laboratoire de Biologie intégrative du Tissu Osseux, Université de Lyon, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Laurence Vico
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1059, laboratoire de Biologie intégrative du Tissu Osseux, Université de Lyon, Saint-Etienne, France
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19
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Popova Y, Boyle R. Neural response in vestibular organ of Helix aspersa to centrifugation and re-adaptation to normal gravity. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2015; 201:717-29. [PMID: 25801308 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-015-1003-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Revised: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Gravity plays a key role in shaping the vestibular sensitivity (VS) of terrestrial organisms. We studied VS changes in the statocyst of the gastropod Helix aspersa immediately after 4-, 16-, and 32-day exposures to a 1.4G hypergravic field or following a 7-day recovery period. In the same animals we measured latencies of behavioral "negative gravitaxis" responses to a head-down pitch before and after centrifugation and found significant delays after 16- and 32-day runs. In an isolated neural preparation we recorded the electrophysiological responses of the statocyst nerve to static tilt (±19°) and sinusoids (±12°; 0.1 Hz). Spike sorting software was used to separate individual sensory cells' patterns out of a common trace. In correspondence with behavior we observed a VS decrease in animals after 16- (p < 0.05) and 32-day (p < 0.01) centrifugations. These findings reveal the capability of statoreceptors to adjust their sensitivity in response to a prolonged change in the force of gravity. Interestingly, background discharge rate increased after 16 and 32 days in hypergravity and continued to rise through the recovery period. This result indicates that adaptive mechanisms to novel gravity levels were long lasting, and re-adaptation from hypergravity is a more complex process than just "return to normal".
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Affiliation(s)
- Yekaterina Popova
- Space Biosciences Research Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Mail stop 239-11, Moffett Field, Mountain View, CA, 94035, USA
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20
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Casey T, Patel OV, Plaut K. Transcriptomes reveal alterations in gravity impact circadian clocks and activate mechanotransduction pathways with adaptation through epigenetic change. Physiol Genomics 2015; 47:113-28. [PMID: 25649141 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00117.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Few studies have investigated the impact of alterations in gravity on mammalian transcriptomes. Here, we describe the impact of spaceflight on mammary transcriptome of late pregnant rats and the effect of hypergravity exposure on mammary, liver, and adipose transcriptomes in late pregnancy and at the onset of lactation. RNA was isolated from mammary collected on pregnancy day 20 from rats exposed to spaceflight from days 11 to 20 of gestation. To measure the impact of hypergravity on mammary, liver, and adipose transcriptomes we isolated RNA from tissues collected on P20 and lactation day 1 from rats exposed to hypergravity beginning on pregnancy day 9. Gene expression was measured with Affymetrix GeneChips. Microarray analysis of variance revealed alterations in gravity affected the expression of genes that regulate circadian clocks and activate mechanotransduction pathways. Changes in these systems may explain global gene expression changes in immune response, metabolism, and cell proliferation. Expression of genes that modify chromatin structure and methylation was affected, suggesting adaptation to gravity alterations may proceed through epigenetic change. Altered gravity experiments offer insights into the role of forces omnipresent on Earth that shape genomes in heritable ways. Our study is the first to analyze the impact of alterations in gravity on transcriptomes of pregnant and lactating mammals. Findings provide insight into systems that sense gravity and the way in which they affect phenotype, as well as the possibility of sustaining life beyond Earth's orbit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Casey
- Department of Animal Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; and
| | - Osman V Patel
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan
| | - Karen Plaut
- Department of Animal Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; and
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The long-term consequences of the exposure to increasing gravity levels on the muscular, vestibular and cognitive functions in adult mice. Behav Brain Res 2014; 264:64-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Revised: 01/14/2014] [Accepted: 01/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Li M, Gonon G, Buonanno M, Autsavapromporn N, de Toledo SM, Pain D, Azzam EI. Health risks of space exploration: targeted and nontargeted oxidative injury by high-charge and high-energy particles. Antioxid Redox Signal 2014; 20:1501-23. [PMID: 24111926 PMCID: PMC3936510 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2013.5649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE During deep space travel, astronauts are often exposed to high atomic number (Z) and high-energy (E) (high charge and high energy [HZE]) particles. On interaction with cells, these particles cause severe oxidative injury and result in unique biological responses. When cell populations are exposed to low fluences of HZE particles, a significant fraction of the cells are not traversed by a primary radiation track, and yet, oxidative stress induced in the targeted cells may spread to nearby bystander cells. The long-term effects are more complex because the oxidative effects persist in progeny of the targeted and affected bystander cells, which promote genomic instability and may increase the risk of age-related cancer and degenerative diseases. RECENT ADVANCES Greater understanding of the spatial and temporal features of reactive oxygen species bursts along the tracks of HZE particles, and the availability of facilities that can simulate exposure to space radiations have supported the characterization of oxidative stress from targeted and nontargeted effects. CRITICAL ISSUES The significance of secondary radiations generated from the interaction of the primary HZE particles with biological material and the mitigating effects of antioxidants on various cellular injuries are central to understanding nontargeted effects and alleviating tissue injury. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying the cellular responses to HZE particles, particularly under reduced gravity and situations of exposure to additional radiations, such as protons, should be useful in reducing the uncertainty associated with current models for predicting long-term health risks of space radiation. These studies are also relevant to hadron therapy of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Li
- 1 Department of Radiology, Cancer Center, Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School , Newark, New Jersey
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Jamon M. The development of vestibular system and related functions in mammals: impact of gravity. Front Integr Neurosci 2014; 8:11. [PMID: 24570658 PMCID: PMC3916785 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2014.00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This chapter reviews the knowledge about the adaptation to Earth gravity during the development of mammals. The impact of early exposure to altered gravity is evaluated at the level of the functions related to the vestibular system, including postural control, homeostatic regulation, and spatial memory. The hypothesis of critical periods in the adaptation to gravity is discussed. Demonstrating a critical period requires removing the gravity stimulus during delimited time windows, what is impossible to do on Earth surface. The surgical destruction of the vestibular apparatus, and the use of mice strains with defective graviceptors have provided useful information on the consequences of missing gravity perception, and the possible compensatory mechanisms, but transitory suppression of the stimulus can only be operated during spatial flight. The rare studies on rat pups housed on board of space shuttle significantly contributed to this problem, but the use of hypergravity environment, produced by means of chronic centrifugation, is the only available tool when repeated experiments must be carried out on Earth. Even though hypergravity is sometimes considered as a mirror situation to microgravity, the two situations cannot be confused because a gravitational force is still present. The theoretical considerations that validate the paradigm of hypergravity to evaluate critical periods are discussed. The question of adaption of graviceptor is questioned from an evolutionary point of view. It is possible that graviception is hardwired, because life on Earth has evolved under the constant pressure of gravity. The rapid acquisition of motor programming by precocial mammals in minutes after birth is consistent with this hypothesis, but the slow development of motor skills in altricial species and the plasticity of vestibular perception in adults suggest that gravity experience is required for the tuning of graviceptors. The possible reasons for this dichotomy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Jamon
- Faculté de Médecine de la Timone, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U 1106, Aix-Marseille University Marseille, France
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Guéguinou N, Bojados M, Jamon M, Derradji H, Baatout S, Tschirhart E, Frippiat JP, Legrand-Frossi C. Stress response and humoral immune system alterations related to chronic hypergravity in mice. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2012; 37:137-47. [PMID: 21724335 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2011] [Revised: 05/12/2011] [Accepted: 05/28/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Spaceflights are known to induce stress and immune dysregulation. Centrifugation, as hindlimb unloading, is a good ground based-model to simulate altered gravity which occurs during space missions. The aim of this study was to investigate the consequences of a long-term exposure to different levels of hypergravity on the stress response and the humoral immunity in a mouse model. For this purpose, adult C57Bl/6J male mice were subjected for 21 days either to control conditions or to 2G or 3G acceleration gravity forces. Corticosterone level and anxiety behavior revealed a stress response which was associated with a decrease of body weight, after 21-day of centrifugation at 3G but not at 2G. Spleen lymphocyte lipopolysaccharide (LPS) responsiveness was diminished by 40% in the 2G group only, whereas a decrease was noted when cells were stimulated with concanavalin A for both 2G and 3G groups (about 25% and 20%, respectively) compared to controls. Pro-inflammatory chemokines (MCP-1 and IP-10) and Th1 cytokines (IFNγ and IL2) were slightly decreased in the 2G group and strongly decreased in the 3G mouse group. Regarding Th2 cytokines (IL4, IL5) no further significant modification was observed, whereas the immunosuppressive cytokine IL10 was slightly increased in the 3G mice. Finally, serum IgG concentration was twice higher whereas IgA concentration was slightly increased (about 30%) and IgM were unchanged in 2G mice compared to controls. No difference was observed in the 3G group with these isotypes. Consequently, functional immune dysregulations and stress responses were dependent of the gravity level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Guéguinou
- Development and Immunogenetics Team, Nancy-University, Henri Poincaré University, JE 2537, F-54500 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
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Bojados M, Jamon M. Exposure to hypergravity during specific developmental periods differentially affects metabolism and vestibular reactions in adult C57BL /6j mice. Eur J Neurosci 2011; 34:2024-34. [PMID: 22122506 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2011.07919.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The development of the posturo-motor control of movement is conditioned by Earth's gravity. Missing or altered gravity during the critical periods of development delays development and induces durable changes in the vestibular, cerebellar, or muscular structures, but these are not consistently mirrored at a functional level. The differences in the time schedule of vestibular and motor development could contribute to this inconstancy. To investigate the influence of gravity on the development of vestibular and locomotor functions, we analysed the performance of adult mice subjected to hypergravity during the time covering either the vestibular or locomotor development. The mice were centrifuged at 2 g from embryonic day (E) 0 to postnatal day (P) 10 (PRE), from P10 to P30 (POST), from E0 to P30 (FULL), and from E7 to P21. Their muscular force, anxiety level, vestibular reactions, and aerobic capacity during treadmill training were then evaluated at the age of 2 and 6 months. The performance of young adults varied in relation to the period of exposure to hypergravity. The mice that acquired locomotion in hypergravity (POST and FULL) showed a lower forelimb force and delayed vestibular reactions. The mice centrifuged from conception to P10 (PRE) showed a higher aerobic capacity during treadmill training. The differences in muscular force and vestibular reactions regressed with age, but the metabolic changes persisted. These results confirmed that early exposure to hypergravity induces qualitative changes depending on the period of exposure. They validated, at a functional level, the existence of several critical periods for adaptation to gravity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mickael Bojados
- Faculté de Médecine de la Timone, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille Cedex, France.
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Yeast genomic expression patterns in response to low-shear modeled microgravity. BMC Genomics 2007; 8:3. [PMID: 17201921 PMCID: PMC1774566 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-8-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2006] [Accepted: 01/03/2007] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The low-shear microgravity environment, modeled by rotating suspension culture bioreactors called high aspect ratio vessels (HARVs), allows investigation in ground-based studies of the effects of microgravity on eukaryotic cells and provides insights into the impact of space flight on cellular physiology. We have previously demonstrated that low-shear modeled microgravity (LSMMG) causes significant phenotypic changes of a select group of Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes associated with the establishment of cell polarity, bipolar budding, and cell separation. However, the mechanisms cells utilize to sense and respond to microgravity and the fundamental gene expression changes that occur are largely unknown. In this study, we examined the global transcriptional response of yeast cells grown under LSMMG conditions using DNA microarray analysis in order to determine if exposure to LSMMG results in changes in gene expression. LSMMG differentially changed the expression of a significant number of genes (1372) when yeast cells were cultured for either five generations or twenty-five generations in HARVs, as compared to cells grown under identical conditions in normal gravity. We identified genes in cell wall integrity signaling pathways containing MAP kinase cascades that may provide clues to novel physiological responses of eukaryotic cells to the external stress of a low-shear modeled microgravity environment. A comparison of the microgravity response to other environmental stress response (ESR) genes showed that 26% of the genes that respond significantly to LSMMG are involved in a general environmental stress response, while 74% of the genes may represent a unique transcriptional response to microgravity. In addition, we found changes in genes involved in budding, cell polarity establishment, and cell separation that validate our hypothesis that phenotypic changes observed in cells grown in microgravity are reflected in genome-wide changes. This study documents a considerable response to yeast cell growth in low-shear modeled microgravity that is evident, at least in part, by changes in gene expression. Notably, we identified genes that are involved in cell signaling pathways that allow cells to detect environmental changes, to respond within the cell, and to change accordingly, as well as genes of unknown function that may have a unique transcriptional response to microgravity. We also uncovered significant changes in the expression of many genes involved in cell polarization and bud formation that correlate well with the phenotypic effects observed in yeast cells when grown under similar conditions. These results are noteworthy as they have implications for human space flight.
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