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Yan W, Hu W, Song Y, Liu X, Zhou Z, Li W, Cao Z, Pei W, Zhou G, Hu G. Differential network analysis reveals the key role of the ECM-receptor pathway in α-particle-induced malignant transformation. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102260. [PMID: 39049874 PMCID: PMC11268105 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Space particle radiation is a major environmental factor in spaceflight, and it is known to cause body damage and even trigger cancer, but with unknown molecular etiologies. To examine these causes, we developed a systems biology approach by focusing on the co-expression network analysis of transcriptomics profiles obtained from single high-dose (SE) and multiple low-dose (ME) α-particle radiation exposures of BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cells. First, the differential network and pathway analysis based on the global network and the core modules showed that genes in the ME group had higher enrichment for the extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction pathway. Then, collagen gene COL1A1 was screened as an important gene in the ME group assessed by network parameters and an expression study of lung adenocarcinoma samples. COL1A1 was found to promote the emergence of the neoplastic characteristics of BEAS-2B cells by both in vitro experimental analyses and in vivo immunohistochemical staining. These findings suggested that the degree of malignant transformation of cells in the ME group was greater than that of the SE, which may be caused by the dysregulation of the ECM-receptor pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenying Yan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Pathogen Bioscience and Anti-infective Medicine, Department of Bioinformatics, Center for Systems Biology, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou 215213, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Wentao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiological Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yidan Song
- MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Pathogen Bioscience and Anti-infective Medicine, Department of Bioinformatics, Center for Systems Biology, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou 215213, China
| | - Xingyi Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Pathogen Bioscience and Anti-infective Medicine, Department of Bioinformatics, Center for Systems Biology, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou 215213, China
| | - Ziyun Zhou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Pathogen Bioscience and Anti-infective Medicine, Department of Bioinformatics, Center for Systems Biology, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou 215213, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Wanshi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiological Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Zhifei Cao
- Department of Pathology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215004, China
| | - Weiwei Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiological Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Guangming Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiological Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Guang Hu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Pathogen Bioscience and Anti-infective Medicine, Department of Bioinformatics, Center for Systems Biology, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou 215213, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
- Key Laboratory of Alkene-carbon Fibres-based Technology & Application for Detection of Major Infectious Diseases, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
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Kakouridis A, Diamond S, Eng T, Mills HJ, Gámez Holzhaus O, Summers ML, Garcia-Pichel F, Mukhopadhyay A. Desiccated Cyanobacteria Serve As Efficient Plasmid DNA Carriers in Space Flight. ACS Synth Biol 2024. [PMID: 39150229 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Effective transport of biological systems as cargo during space travel is a critical requirement to use synthetic biology and biomanufacturing in outer space. Bioproduction using microbes will drive the extent to which many human needs can be met in environments with limited resources. Vast repositories of biological parts and strains are available to meet this need, but their on-site availability requires effective transport. Here, we explore an approach that allows DNA plasmids, ubiquitous synthetic biology parts, to be safely transported to the International Space Station and back to the Kennedy Space Center without low-temperature or cryogenic stowage. Our approach relied on the cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme PC73102, which is naturally tolerant to prolonged desiccation. Desiccated N. punctiforme was able to carry the non-native pSCR119 plasmid as intracellular cargo safely to space and back. Upon return to the laboratory, the extracted plasmid showed no DNA damage or additional mutations and could be used as intended to transform the model synbio host Escherichia coli to bestow kanamycin resistance. This proof-of-concept study provides the foundation for a ruggedized transport host for DNA to environments where there is a need to reduce equipment and infrastructure for biological parts stowage and storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Kakouridis
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Spencer Diamond
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Thomas Eng
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Heath J Mills
- Rhodium Scientific, Houston, Texas 77058, United States
| | | | - Michael L Summers
- Department of Biology, California State University, Northridge, California 91330, United States
| | - Ferran Garcia-Pichel
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
| | - Aindrila Mukhopadhyay
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
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Wadhwa A, Moreno-Villanueva M, Crucian B, Wu H. Synergistic interplay between radiation and microgravity in spaceflight-related immunological health risks. Immun Ageing 2024; 21:50. [PMID: 39033285 PMCID: PMC11264846 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-024-00449-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Spaceflight poses a myriad of environmental stressors to astronauts´ physiology including microgravity and radiation. The individual impacts of microgravity and radiation on the immune system have been extensively investigated, though a comprehensive review on their combined effects on immune system outcomes is missing. Therefore, this review aims at understanding the synergistic, additive, and antagonistic interactions between microgravity and radiation and their impact on immune function as observed during spaceflight-analog studies such as rodent hindlimb unloading and cell culture rotating wall vessel models. These mimic some, but not all, of the physiological changes observed in astronauts during spaceflight and provide valuable information that should be considered when planning future missions. We provide guidelines for the design of further spaceflight-analog studies, incorporating influential factors such as age and sex for rodent models and standardizing the longitudinal evaluation of specific immunological alterations for both rodent and cellular models of spaceflight exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wadhwa
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, 77058, USA.
| | | | | | - Honglu Wu
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, 77058, USA
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4
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Park J, Overbey EG, Narayanan SA, Kim J, Tierney BT, Damle N, Najjar D, Ryon KA, Proszynski J, Kleinman A, Hirschberg JW, MacKay M, Afshin EE, Granstein R, Gurvitch J, Hudson BM, Rininger A, Mullane S, Church SE, Meydan C, Church G, Beheshti A, Mateus J, Mason CE. Spatial multi-omics of human skin reveals KRAS and inflammatory responses to spaceflight. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4773. [PMID: 38862494 PMCID: PMC11166909 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48625-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Spaceflight can change metabolic, immunological, and biological homeostasis and cause skin rashes and irritation, yet the molecular basis remains unclear. To investigate the impact of short-duration spaceflight on the skin, we conducted skin biopsies on the Inspiration4 crew members before (L-44) and after (R + 1) flight. Leveraging multi-omics assays including GeoMx™ Digital Spatial Profiler, single-cell RNA/ATAC-seq, and metagenomics/metatranscriptomics, we assessed spatial gene expressions and associated microbial and immune changes across 95 skin regions in four compartments: outer epidermis, inner epidermis, outer dermis, and vasculature. Post-flight samples showed significant up-regulation of genes related to inflammation and KRAS signaling across all skin regions. These spaceflight-associated changes mapped to specific cellular responses, including altered interferon responses, DNA damage, epithelial barrier disruptions, T-cell migration, and hindered regeneration were located primarily in outer tissue compartments. We also linked epithelial disruption to microbial shifts in skin swab and immune cell activity to PBMC single-cell data from the same crew and timepoints. Our findings present the inaugural collection and examination of astronaut skin, offering insights for future space missions and response countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwoon Park
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eliah G Overbey
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - S Anand Narayanan
- Department of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - JangKeun Kim
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Braden T Tierney
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Namita Damle
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Deena Najjar
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Krista A Ryon
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jacqueline Proszynski
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ashley Kleinman
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeremy Wain Hirschberg
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Matthew MacKay
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Evan E Afshin
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard Granstein
- Department of Dermatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Justin Gurvitch
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Cem Meydan
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - George Church
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Afshin Beheshti
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, USA
| | | | - Christopher E Mason
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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5
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Zhang Y, Du X, Zhao L, Sun Y. Construction of dose prediction model and identification of sensitive genes for space radiation based on single-sample networks under spaceflight conditions. Int J Radiat Biol 2024; 100:777-790. [PMID: 38471034 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2024.2327393] [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: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify sensitive genes for space radiation, we integrated the transcriptomic samples of spaceflight mice from GeneLab and predicted the radiation doses absorbed by individuals in space. METHODS AND MATERIALS A single-sample network (SSN) for each individual sample was constructed. Then, using machine learning and genetic algorithms, we built the regression models to predict the absorbed dose equivalent based on the topological structure of SSNs. Moreover, we analyzed the SSNs from each tissue and compared the similarities and differences among them. RESULTS Our model exhibited excellent performance with the following metrics: R 2 = 0.980 , MSE = 6.74 e - 04 , and the Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.990 (p value <.0001) between predicted and actual values. We identified 20 key genes, the majority of which had been proven to be associated with radiation. However, we uniquely established them as space radiation sensitive genes for the first time. Through further analysis of the SSNs, we discovered that the different tissues exhibited distinct mechanisms in response to space stressors. CONCLUSIONS The topology structures of SSNs effectively predicted radiation doses under spaceflight conditions, and the SSNs revealed the gene regulatory patterns within the organisms under space stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Systems Biology, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiaohui Du
- Institute of Environmental Systems Biology, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- Institute of Environmental Systems Biology, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Yeqing Sun
- Institute of Environmental Systems Biology, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
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6
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Davis T, Tabury K, Zhu S, Angeloni D, Baatout S, Benchoua A, Bereiter-Hahn J, Bottai D, Buchheim JI, Calvaruso M, Carnero-Diaz E, Castiglioni S, Cavalieri D, Ceccarelli G, Choukér A, Cialdai F, Ciofani G, Coppola G, Cusella G, Degl'Innocenti A, Desaphy JF, Frippiat JP, Gelinsky M, Genchi G, Grano M, Grimm D, Guignandon A, Hahn C, Hatton J, Herranz R, Hellweg CE, Iorio CS, Karapantsios T, van Loon JJWA, Lulli M, Maier J, Malda J, Mamaca E, Morbidelli L, van Ombergen A, Osterman A, Ovsianikov A, Pampaloni F, Pavezlorie E, Pereda-Campos V, Przybyla C, Puhl C, Rettberg P, Rizzo AM, Robson-Brown K, Rossi L, Russo G, Salvetti A, Santucci D, Sperl M, Tavella S, Thielemann C, Willaert R, Szewczyk N, Monici M. How are cell and tissue structure and function influenced by gravity and what are the gravity perception mechanisms? NPJ Microgravity 2024; 10:16. [PMID: 38341423 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-024-00357-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Progress in mechanobiology allowed us to better understand the important role of mechanical forces in the regulation of biological processes. Space research in the field of life sciences clearly showed that gravity plays a crucial role in biological processes. The space environment offers the unique opportunity to carry out experiments without gravity, helping us not only to understand the effects of gravitational alterations on biological systems but also the mechanisms underlying mechanoperception and cell/tissue response to mechanical and gravitational stresses. Despite the progress made so far, for future space exploration programs it is necessary to increase our knowledge on the mechanotransduction processes as well as on the molecular mechanisms underlying microgravity-induced cell and tissue alterations. This white paper reports the suggestions and recommendations of the SciSpacE Science Community for the elaboration of the section of the European Space Agency roadmap "Biology in Space and Analogue Environments" focusing on "How are cells and tissues influenced by gravity and what are the gravity perception mechanisms?" The knowledge gaps that prevent the Science Community from fully answering this question and the activities proposed to fill them are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trent Davis
- Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Kevin Tabury
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, Mol, Belgium
| | - Shouan Zhu
- Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Debora Angeloni
- Institute of Biorobotics, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, Mol, Belgium
| | | | - Juergen Bereiter-Hahn
- Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Daniele Bottai
- Department Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Judith-Irina Buchheim
- Laboratory of "Translational Research, Stress & Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, LMU University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marco Calvaruso
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), Cefalù, Italy
| | - Eugénie Carnero-Diaz
- Institute of Systematics, Evolution, Biodiversity, Sorbonne University, NMNH, CNRS, EPHE, UA, Paris, France
| | - Sara Castiglioni
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Gabriele Ceccarelli
- Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alexander Choukér
- Laboratory of "Translational Research, Stress & Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, LMU University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Francesca Cialdai
- ASAcampus Joint Laboratory, ASA Research Division, DSBSC-University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gianni Ciofani
- Smart Bio-Interfaces, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Pontedera, PI, 56025, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Coppola
- Institute of Applied Science and Intelligent Systems - CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella Cusella
- Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrea Degl'Innocenti
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Italy and Smart Bio-Interfaces, IIT, Pontedera, PI, Italy
| | - Jean-Francois Desaphy
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Jean-Pol Frippiat
- Stress, Immunity, Pathogens Laboratory, SIMPA, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Michael Gelinsky
- Centre for Translational Bone, Joint & Soft Tissue Research, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Giada Genchi
- Smart Bio-Interfaces, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Pontedera, PI, 56025, Italy
| | - Maria Grano
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Daniela Grimm
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Germany & Dept of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Alain Guignandon
- SAINBIOSE, INSERM U1059, Université Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, F-42000, France
| | | | - Jason Hatton
- European Space Agency, ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
| | - Raúl Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Christine E Hellweg
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Matteo Lulli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Jeanette Maier
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Jos Malda
- Department of Orthopaedics, University Medical Center Utrecht & Department of Clinical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Emina Mamaca
- European and International Affairs Department, Ifremer centre Bretagne, Plouzané, France
| | | | | | - Andreas Osterman
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Virology, LMU Munich & DZIF, Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Aleksandr Ovsianikov
- 3D Printing and Biofabrication, Institute of Materials Science and Technology, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Francesco Pampaloni
- Buchmann Inst. for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Elizabeth Pavezlorie
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, Research Center in Cooperation with AUVA, Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronica Pereda-Campos
- GSBMS/URU EVOLSAN - Medecine Evolutive, Université Paul Sabatier Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
| | - Cyrille Przybyla
- MARBEC, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Palavas les Flots, France
| | - Christopher Puhl
- Space Applications NV/SA for European Space Agency, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
| | - Petra Rettberg
- DLR, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Research Group Astrobiology, Köln, Germany
| | - Angela Maria Rizzo
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Kate Robson-Brown
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, and Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Leonardo Rossi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giorgio Russo
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), Cefalù, Italy
| | - Alessandra Salvetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniela Santucci
- Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Sara Tavella
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino and University of Genoa, DIMES, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Ronnie Willaert
- Research Group NAMI and NANO, Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nathaniel Szewczyk
- Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA.
| | - Monica Monici
- ASAcampus Joint Laboratory, ASA Research Division, DSBSC-University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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7
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Afshari N, Koturbash I, Boerma M, Newhauser W, Kratz M, Willey J, Williams J, Chancellor J. A Review of Numerical Models of Radiation Injury and Repair Considering Subcellular Targets and the Extracellular Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1015. [PMID: 38256089 PMCID: PMC10816679 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Astronauts in space are subject to continuous exposure to ionizing radiation. There is concern about the acute and late-occurring adverse health effects that astronauts could incur following a protracted exposure to the space radiation environment. Therefore, it is vital to consider the current tools and models used to describe and study the organic consequences of ionizing radiation exposure. It is equally important to see where these models could be improved. Historically, radiobiological models focused on how radiation damages nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and the role DNA repair mechanisms play in resulting biological effects, building on the hypotheses of Crowther and Lea from the 1940s and 1960s, and they neglected other subcellular targets outside of nuclear DNA. The development of these models and the current state of knowledge about radiation effects impacting astronauts in orbit, as well as how the radiation environment and cellular microenvironment are incorporated into these radiobiological models, aid our understanding of the influence space travel may have on astronaut health. It is vital to consider the current tools and models used to describe the organic consequences of ionizing radiation exposure and identify where they can be further improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nousha Afshari
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; (N.A.); (W.N.)
| | - Igor Koturbash
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA;
| | - Marjan Boerma
- Division of Radiation Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA;
| | - Wayne Newhauser
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; (N.A.); (W.N.)
| | - Maria Kratz
- Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA;
| | - Jeffrey Willey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA;
| | - Jacqueline Williams
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA;
| | - Jeffery Chancellor
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; (N.A.); (W.N.)
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Outer Space Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
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8
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Raber J, Holden S, Kessler K, Glaeser B, McQuesten C, Chaudhari M, Stenzel F, Lenarczyk M, Leonard SW, Morré J, Choi J, Kronenberg A, Borg A, Kwok A, Stevens JF, Olsen C, Willey JS, Bobe G, Minnier J, Baker JE. Effects of photon irradiation in the presence and absence of hindlimb unloading on the behavioral performance and metabolic pathways in the plasma of Fischer rats. Front Physiol 2024; 14:1316186. [PMID: 38260101 PMCID: PMC10800373 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1316186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The space environment astronauts experience during space missions consists of multiple environmental challenges, including microgravity. In this study, we assessed the behavioral and cognitive performances of male Fisher rats 2 months after sham irradiation or total body irradiation with photons in the absence or presence of simulated microgravity. We analyzed the plasma collected 9 months after sham irradiation or total body irradiation for distinct alterations in metabolic pathways and to determine whether changes to metabolic measures were associated with specific behavioral and cognitive measures. Methods: A total of 344 male Fischer rats were irradiated with photons (6 MeV; 3, 8, or 10 Gy) in the absence or presence of simulated weightlessness achieved using hindlimb unloading (HU). To identify potential plasma biomarkers of photon radiation exposure or the HU condition for behavioral or cognitive performance, we performed regression analyses. Results: The behavioral effects of HU on activity levels in an open field, measures of anxiety in an elevated plus maze, and anhedonia in the M&M consumption test were more pronounced than those of photon irradiation. Phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan metabolism, and phenylalanine metabolism and biosynthesis showed very strong pathway changes, following photon irradiation and HU in animals irradiated with 3 Gy. Here, 29 out of 101 plasma metabolites were associated with 1 out of 13 behavioral measures. In the absence of HU, 22 metabolites were related to behavioral and cognitive measures. In HU animals that were sham-irradiated or irradiated with 8 Gy, one metabolite was related to behavioral and cognitive measures. In HU animals irradiated with 3 Gy, six metabolites were related to behavioral and cognitive measures. Discussion: These data suggest that it will be possible to develop stable plasma biomarkers of behavioral and cognitive performance, following environmental challenges like HU and radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Raber
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Departments of Neurology, and Radiation Medicine, Division of Neuroscience ONPRC, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Sarah Holden
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Kat Kessler
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Breanna Glaeser
- Neuroscience Center and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Chloe McQuesten
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Mitali Chaudhari
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Fiona Stenzel
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Marek Lenarczyk
- Radiation Biosciences Laboratory, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Scott Willem Leonard
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Jeffrey Morré
- Mass Spectrometry Core, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Jaewoo Choi
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Amy Kronenberg
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Alexander Borg
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Andy Kwok
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Jan Frederik Stevens
- College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Christopher Olsen
- Neuroscience Center and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Jeffrey S. Willey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Gerd Bobe
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
- Department of Animal Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Jessica Minnier
- Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, Knight Cancer Institute Biostatistics Shared Resource, The Knight Cardiovascular Institute, OR Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - John E. Baker
- Neuroscience Center and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
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Garbacki N, Willems J, Neutelings T, Lambert C, Deroanne C, Adrian A, Franz M, Maurer M, De Gieter P, Nusgens B, Colige A. Microgravity triggers ferroptosis and accelerates senescence in the MG-63 cell model of osteoblastic cells. NPJ Microgravity 2023; 9:91. [PMID: 38104197 PMCID: PMC10725437 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00339-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In space, cells sustain strong modifications of their mechanical environment. Mechanosensitive molecules at the cell membrane regulate mechanotransduction pathways that induce adaptive responses through the regulation of gene expression, post-translational modifications, protein interactions or intracellular trafficking, among others. In the current study, human osteoblastic cells were cultured on the ISS in microgravity and at 1 g in a centrifuge, as onboard controls. RNAseq analyses showed that microgravity inhibits cell proliferation and DNA repair, stimulates inflammatory pathways and induces ferroptosis and senescence, two pathways related to ageing. Morphological hallmarks of senescence, such as reduced nuclear size and changes in chromatin architecture, proliferation marker distribution, tubulin acetylation and lysosomal transport were identified by immunofluorescence microscopy, reinforcing the hypothesis of induction of cell senescence in microgravity during space flight. These processes could be attributed, at least in part, to the regulation of YAP1 and its downstream effectors NUPR1 and CKAP2L.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Garbacki
- Laboratory of Connective Tissues Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Jérôme Willems
- Laboratory of Connective Tissues Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Thibaut Neutelings
- Laboratory of Connective Tissues Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Charles Lambert
- Laboratory of Connective Tissues Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Christophe Deroanne
- Laboratory of Connective Tissues Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Astrid Adrian
- Airbus Defence and Space, GmbH, 88090, Immenstaad, Germany
| | - Markus Franz
- Airbus Defence and Space, GmbH, 88090, Immenstaad, Germany
| | - Matthias Maurer
- European Space Agency (ESA), European Astronaut Centre (EAC), 51147, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Betty Nusgens
- Laboratory of Connective Tissues Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Alain Colige
- Laboratory of Connective Tissues Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, 4000, Liège, Belgium.
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10
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Handwerk L, Schreier HK, Kraft D, Shreder K, Hemmersbach R, Hauslage J, Bonig H, Wiesmüller L, Fournier C, Rall-Scharpf M. Simulating Space Conditions Evokes Different DNA Damage Responses in Immature and Mature Cells of the Human Hematopoietic System. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13761. [PMID: 37762064 PMCID: PMC10531023 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The impact of space radiation and microgravity on DNA damage responses has been discussed controversially, largely due to the variety of model systems engaged. Here, we performed side-by-side analyses of human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) cultivated in a 2D clinostat to simulate microgravity before, during and after photon and particle irradiation. We demonstrate that simulated microgravity (SMG) accelerates the early phase of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ)-mediated repair of simple, X-ray-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in PBL, while repair kinetics in HSPC remained unaltered. Repair acceleration was lost with increasing LET of ion exposures, which increases the complexity of DSBs, precluding NHEJ and requiring end resection for successful repair. Such cell-type specific effect of SMG on DSB repair was dependent on the NF-кB pathway pre-activated in PBL but not HSPC. Already under unperturbed growth conditions HSPC and PBL suffered from SMG-induced replication stress associated with accumulation of single-stranded DNA and DSBs, respectively. We conclude that in PBL, SMG-induced DSBs promote repair of radiation-induced damage in an adaptive-like response. HSPC feature SMG-induced single-stranded DNA and FANCD2 foci, i.e., markers of persistent replication stress and senescence that may contribute to a premature decline of the immune system in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Handwerk
- Department of Biophysics, GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Daniela Kraft
- Department of Biophysics, GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Kateryna Shreder
- Department of Biophysics, GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Ruth Hemmersbach
- Department of Gravitational Biology, German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, 51147 Cologne, Germany; (R.H.)
| | - Jens Hauslage
- Department of Gravitational Biology, German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, 51147 Cologne, Germany; (R.H.)
| | - Halvard Bonig
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Hospital, and German Red Cross Blood Service, Baden-Wuerttemberg–Hessen, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Lisa Wiesmüller
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ulm University, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Claudia Fournier
- Department of Biophysics, GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
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11
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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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12
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Diaz J, Kuhlman BM, Edenhoffer NP, Evans AC, Martin KA, Guida P, Rusek A, Atala A, Coleman MA, Wilson PF, Almeida-Porada G, Porada CD. Immediate effects of acute Mars mission equivalent doses of SEP and GCR radiation on the murine gastrointestinal system-protective effects of curcumin-loaded nanolipoprotein particles (cNLPs). FRONTIERS IN ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCES 2023; 10:1117811. [PMID: 38741937 PMCID: PMC11089821 DOI: 10.3389/fspas.2023.1117811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Missions beyond low Earth orbit (LEO) will expose astronauts to ionizing radiation (IR) in the form of solar energetic particles (SEP) and galactic cosmic rays (GCR) including high atomic number and energy (HZE) nuclei. The gastrointestinal (GI) system is documented to be highly radiosensitive with even relatively low dose IR exposures capable of inducing mucosal lesions and disrupting epithelial barrier function. IR is also an established risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) with several studies examining long-term GI effects of SEP/GCR exposure using tumor-prone APC mouse models. Studies of acute short-term effects of modeled space radiation exposures in wildtype mouse models are more limited and necessary to better define charged particle-induced GI pathologies and test novel medical countermeasures (MCMs) to promote astronaut safety. Methods In this study, we performed ground-based studies where male and female C57BL/6J mice were exposed to γ-rays, 50 MeV protons, or 1 GeV/n Fe-56 ions at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) with histology and immunohistochemistry endpoints measured in the first 24 h post-irradiation to define immediate SEP/GCR-induced GI alterations. Results Our data show that unlike matched γ-ray controls, acute exposures to protons and iron ions disrupts intestinal function and induces mucosal lesions, vascular congestion, epithelial barrier breakdown, and marked enlargement of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. We also measured kinetics of DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair using gamma-H2AX- specific antibodies and apoptosis via TUNEL labeling, noting the induction and disappearance of extranuclear cytoplasmic DNA marked by gamma-H2AX only in the charged particle-irradiated samples. We show that 18 h pre-treatment with curcumin-loaded nanolipoprotein particles (cNLPs) delivered via IV injection reduces DSB-associated foci levels and apoptosis and restore crypt villi lengths. Discussion These data improve our understanding of physiological alterations in the GI tract immediately following exposures to modeled space radiations and demonstrates effectiveness of a promising space radiation MCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Diaz
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Bradford M. Kuhlman
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | | | - Angela C. Evans
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Kelly A. Martin
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Peter Guida
- NASA Space Radiation Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, United States
| | - Adam Rusek
- NASA Space Radiation Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, United States
| | - Anthony Atala
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Matthew A. Coleman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Paul F. Wilson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, United States
| | - Graça Almeida-Porada
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
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13
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Zhao L, Zhang G, Tang A, Huang B, Mi D. Microgravity alters the expressions of DNA repair genes and their regulatory miRNAs in space-flown Caenorhabditis elegans. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2023; 37:25-38. [PMID: 37087176 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
During spaceflight, multiple unique hazardous factors, particularly microgravity and space radiation, can induce different types of DNA damage, which pose a constant threat to genomic integrity and stability of living organisms. Although organisms have evolved different kinds of conserved DNA repair pathways to eliminate this DNA damage on Earth, the impact of space microgravity on the expressions of these DNA repair genes and their regulatory miRNAs has not been fully explored. In this study, we integrated all existing datasets, including both transcriptional and miRNA microarrays in wild-type (WT) Caenorhabditis elegans that were exposed to the treatments of spaceflight (SF), spaceflight control with a 1g centrifugal device (SC), and ground control (GC) in three space experiments with the periods of 4, 8 and 16.5 days. The results of principal component analysis showed the gene expression patterns for five major DNA repair pathways (i.e., non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), homologous recombination (HR), mismatch repair (MMR), nucleotide excision repair (NER), and base excision repair (BER)) were well separated and clustered between SF/GC and SC/GC treatments after three spaceflights. In the 16.5-days space experiment, we also selected the datasets of dys-1 mutant and ced-1 mutant of C. elegans, which respectively presented microgravity-insensitivity and radiosensitivity. Compared to the WT C. elegans flown in the 16.5-days spaceflight, the separation distances between SF and SC samples were significantly reduced in the dys-1 mutant, while greatly enhanced in the ced-1 mutant for five DNA repair pathways. By comparing the results of differential expression analysis in SF/GC versus SC/GC samples, we found the DNA repair genes annotated in the pathways of BER and NER were prominently down-regulated under microgravity during both the 4- and 8-days spaceflights. While, under microgravity, the genes annotated in MMR were dominatingly up-regulated during the 4-days spaceflight, and those annotated in HR were mainly up-regulated during the 8-days spaceflight. And, most of the DNA repair genes annotated in the pathways of BER, NER, MMR, and HR were up-regulated under microgravity during the 16.5-days spaceflight. Using miRNA-mRNA integrated analysis, we determined the regulatory networks of differentially expressed DNA repair genes and their regulatory miRNAs in WT C. elegans after three spaceflights. Compared to GC conditions, the differentially expressed miRNAs were analyzed under SF and SC treatments of three spaceflights, and some altered miRNAs that responded to SF and SC could regulate the expressions of corresponding DNA repair genes annotated in different DNA repair pathways. In summary, these findings indicate that microgravity can significantly alter the expression patterns of DNA repair genes and their regulatory miRNAs in space-flown C. elegans. The alterations of the expressions of DNA repair genes and the dominating DNA repair pathways under microgravity are possibly related to the spaceflight period. In addition, the key miRNAs are identified as the post-transcriptional regulators to regulate the expressions of various DNA repair genes under microgravity. These altered miRNAs that responded to microgravity can be implicated in regulating diverse DNA repair processes in space-flown C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhao
- Institute of Environmental Systems Biology, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, China.
| | - Ge Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Systems Biology, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, China
| | - Aiping Tang
- College of Science, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, China
| | - Baohang Huang
- Institute of Environmental Systems Biology, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, China
| | - Dong Mi
- College of Science, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, China
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14
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Xie D, Huang Q, Zhou P. Drug Discovery Targeting Post-Translational Modifications in Response to DNA Damages Induced by Space Radiation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087656. [PMID: 37108815 PMCID: PMC10142602 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA damage in astronauts induced by cosmic radiation poses a major barrier to human space exploration. Cellular responses and repair of the most lethal DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are crucial for genomic integrity and cell survival. Post-translational modifications (PTMs), including phosphorylation, ubiquitylation, and SUMOylation, are among the regulatory factors modulating a delicate balance and choice between predominant DSB repair pathways, such as non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR). In this review, we focused on the engagement of proteins in the DNA damage response (DDR) modulated by phosphorylation and ubiquitylation, including ATM, DNA-PKcs, CtIP, MDM2, and ubiquitin ligases. The involvement and function of acetylation, methylation, PARylation, and their essential proteins were also investigated, providing a repository of candidate targets for DDR regulators. However, there is a lack of radioprotectors in spite of their consideration in the discovery of radiosensitizers. We proposed new perspectives for the research and development of future agents against space radiation by the systematic integration and utilization of evolutionary strategies, including multi-omics analyses, rational computing methods, drug repositioning, and combinations of drugs and targets, which may facilitate the use of radioprotectors in practical applications in human space exploration to combat fatal radiation hazards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dafei Xie
- Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology (BKLRB), Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Taiping Road 27th, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Qi Huang
- Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology (BKLRB), Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Taiping Road 27th, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, University of South China, Changsheng West Road 28th, Zhengxiang District, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Pingkun Zhou
- Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology (BKLRB), Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Taiping Road 27th, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, University of South China, Changsheng West Road 28th, Zhengxiang District, Hengyang 421001, China
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15
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Roggan MD, Kronenberg J, Wollert E, Hoffmann S, Nisar H, Konda B, Diegeler S, Liemersdorf C, Hellweg CE. Unraveling astrocyte behavior in the space brain: Radiation response of primary astrocytes. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1063250. [PMID: 37089489 PMCID: PMC10116417 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1063250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionExposure to space conditions during crewed long-term exploration missions can cause several health risks for astronauts. Space radiation, isolation and microgravity are major limiting factors. The role of astrocytes in cognitive disturbances by space radiation is unknown. Astrocytes' response toward low linear energy transfer (LET) X-rays and high-LET carbon (12C) and iron (56Fe) ions was compared to reveal possible effects of space-relevant high-LET radiation. Since astronauts are exposed to ionizing radiation and microgravity during space missions, the effect of simulated microgravity on DNA damage induction and repair was investigated.MethodsPrimary murine cortical astrocytes were irradiated with different doses of X-rays, 12C and 56Fe ions at the heavy ion accelerator GSI. DNA damage and repair (γH2AX, 53BP1), cell proliferation (Ki-67), astrocytes' reactivity (GFAP) and NF-κB pathway activation (p65) were analyzed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Cell cycle progression was investigated by flow cytometry of DNA content. Gene expression changes after exposure to X- rays were investigated by mRNA-sequencing. RT-qPCR for several genes of interest was performed with RNA from X-rays- and heavy-ion-irradiated astrocytes: Cdkn1a, Cdkn2a, Gfap, Tnf, Il1β, Il6, and Tgfβ1. Levels of the pro inflammatory cytokine IL-6 were determined using ELISA. DNA damage response was investigated after exposure to X-rays followed by incubation on a 2D clinostat to simulate the conditions of microgravity.ResultsAstrocytes showed distinct responses toward the three different radiation qualities. Induction of radiation-induced DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) and the respective repair was dose-, LET- and time-dependent. Simulated microgravity had no significant influence on DNA DSB repair. Proliferation and cell cycle progression was not affected by radiation qualities examined in this study. Astrocytes expressed IL-6 and GFAP with constitutive NF-κB activity independent of radiation exposure. mRNA sequencing of X-irradiated astrocytes revealed downregulation of 66 genes involved in DNA damage response and repair, mitosis, proliferation and cell cycle regulation.DiscussionIn conclusion, primary murine astrocytes are DNA repair proficient irrespective of radiation quality. Only minor gene expression changes were observed after X-ray exposure and reactivity was not induced. Co-culture of astrocytes with microglial cells, brain organoids or organotypic brain slice culture experiments might reveal whether astrocytes show a more pronounced radiation response in more complex network architectures in the presence of other neuronal cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Denise Roggan
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Jessica Kronenberg
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
- Microgravity User Support Center (MUSC), German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Esther Wollert
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Sven Hoffmann
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
- Department of Gravitational Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Hasan Nisar
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
- Department of Medical Sciences, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Bikash Konda
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Sebastian Diegeler
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Christian Liemersdorf
- Department of Gravitational Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Christine E. Hellweg
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
- *Correspondence: Christine E. Hellweg
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Chen X, Yang J, Lv H, Che J, Wang J, Zhang B, Shang P. The potential benefits of melatonin in the prevention and treatment of bone loss in response to microgravity. ACTA ASTRONAUTICA 2023; 202:48-57. [DOI: org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
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17
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Chen X, Yang J, Lv H, Che J, Wang J, Zhang B, Shang P. The potential benefits of melatonin in the prevention and treatment of bone loss in response to microgravity. ACTA ASTRONAUTICA 2023; 202:48-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
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18
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Changes in interstitial fluid flow, mass transport and the bone cell response in microgravity and normogravity. Bone Res 2022; 10:65. [PMID: 36411278 PMCID: PMC9678891 DOI: 10.1038/s41413-022-00234-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, our scientific interest in spaceflight has grown exponentially and resulted in a thriving area of research, with hundreds of astronauts spending months of their time in space. A recent shift toward pursuing territories farther afield, aiming at near-Earth asteroids, the Moon, and Mars combined with the anticipated availability of commercial flights to space in the near future, warrants continued understanding of the human physiological processes and response mechanisms when in this extreme environment. Acute skeletal loss, more severe than any bone loss seen on Earth, has significant implications for deep space exploration, and it remains elusive as to why there is such a magnitude of difference between bone loss on Earth and loss in microgravity. The removal of gravity eliminates a critical primary mechano-stimulus, and when combined with exposure to both galactic and solar cosmic radiation, healthy human tissue function can be negatively affected. An additional effect found in microgravity, and one with limited insight, involves changes in dynamic fluid flow. Fluids provide the most fundamental way to transport chemical and biochemical elements within our bodies and apply an essential mechano-stimulus to cells. Furthermore, the cell cytoplasm is not a simple liquid, and fluid transport phenomena together with viscoelastic deformation of the cytoskeleton play key roles in cell function. In microgravity, flow behavior changes drastically, and the impact on cells within the porous system of bone and the influence of an expanding level of adiposity are not well understood. This review explores the role of interstitial fluid motion and solute transport in porous bone under two different conditions: normogravity and microgravity.
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Millar-Wilson A, Ward Ó, Duffy E, Hardiman G. Multiscale modeling in the framework of biological systems and its potential for spaceflight biology studies. iScience 2022; 25:105421. [DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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3D microenvironment attenuates simulated microgravity-mediated changes in T cell transcriptome. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:508. [PMID: 36063234 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04531-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Human space travel and exploration are of interest to both the industrial and scientific community. However, there are many adverse effects of spaceflight on human physiology. In particular, there is a lack of understanding of the extent to which microgravity affects the immune system. T cells, key players of the adaptive immune system and long-term immunity, are present not only in blood circulation but also reside within the tissue. As of yet, studies investigating the effects of microgravity on T cells are limited to peripheral blood or traditional 2D cell culture that recapitulates circulating blood. To better mimic interstitial tissue, 3D cell culture has been well established for physiologically and pathologically relevant models. In this work, we utilize 2D cell culture and 3D collagen matrices to gain an understanding of how simulated microgravity, using a random positioning machine, affects both circulating and tissue-resident T cells. T cells were studied in both resting and activated stages. We found that 3D cell culture attenuates the effects of simulated microgravity on the T cells transcriptome and nuclear irregularities compared to 2D cell culture. Interestingly, simulated microgravity appears to have less effect on activated T cells compared to those in the resting stage. Overall, our work provides novel insights into the effects of simulated microgravity on circulating and tissue-resident T cells which could provide benefits for the health of space travellers.
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Extraterrestrial Gynecology: Could Spaceflight Increase the Risk of Developing Cancer in Female Astronauts? An Updated Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137465. [PMID: 35806469 PMCID: PMC9267413 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Outer space is an extremely hostile environment for human life, with ionizing radiation from galactic cosmic rays and microgravity posing the most significant hazards to the health of astronauts. Spaceflight has also been shown to have an impact on established cancer hallmarks, possibly increasing carcinogenic risk. Terrestrially, women have a higher incidence of radiation-induced cancers, largely driven by lung, thyroid, breast, and ovarian cancers, and therefore, historically, they have been permitted to spend significantly less time in space than men. In the present review, we focus on the effects of microgravity and radiation on the female reproductive system, particularly gynecological cancer. The aim is to provide a summary of the research that has been carried out related to the risk of gynecological cancer, highlighting what further studies are needed to pave the way for safer exploration class missions, as well as postflight screening and management of women astronauts following long-duration spaceflight.
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Zeng D, Cui J, Yin Y, Dai C, Zhao H, Song C, Guan S, Cheng D, Sun Y, Lu W. Combining Proteomics and Metabolomics to Analyze the Effects of Spaceflight on Rice Progeny. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:900143. [PMID: 35800606 PMCID: PMC9253829 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.900143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Spaceflight is a special abiotic stress, the biological effect mechanism of which on contemporary rice has been clarified, However, its effect on offspring rice was still unclear. In order to understand the response mechanism of F2 generation plants to space flight, this study used SJ-10 recoverable satellite to carry DN423 rice seeds for 12.5 days in orbit flight. After returning to the ground, the plants were then planted to F2 generation to explore the biological effect mechanism. Our research showed that in the F2 generation of TLS, the rice plant height of the space flight group increased by 33.8%, the ear length and thousand-grain weight decreased by 9.7 and 4.6%, respectively, and the grain number per panicle increased by 6.5%. Moreover, related proteins that control changes in agronomic traits have been identified. The changes of MDA, H2O2, soluble sugar, electron leakage and antioxidant enzyme activity confirmed the stress response in F2 generation plants. ITRAQ and LC-MS technology were used to reveal the change pattern of protein levels and metabolite levels in F2 generation plants, 389 and 405 proteins were identified as differentially abundant proteins in TLS and TS, respectively. In addition, there were 124 and 125 metabolites that changed during these two periods. The proteome and metabolome result further confirmed that the F2 generation plants still retained the memory of space flight stress, and retained the memory of space flight stress through genome instability. Oxidative stress signals activated sugar signals to rebuild metabolic networks to adapt to space flight stress. The reconstruction of energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, and flavonoid metabolism played an important role in the process of adapting to space flight stress. The results of this study broaden the perspective of space biological effects and provide a basis for studying the effects of abiotic stress on plant progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deyong Zeng
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Synthesis, Transformation and Separation of Extreme Environmental Nutrients, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
- The Intelligent Equipment Research Center for the Exploitation of Characteristic Food & Medicine Resources, Chongqing Research Institute, Harbin Institute of Technology, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Cui
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Synthesis, Transformation and Separation of Extreme Environmental Nutrients, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Yishu Yin
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Synthesis, Transformation and Separation of Extreme Environmental Nutrients, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Cuihong Dai
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Synthesis, Transformation and Separation of Extreme Environmental Nutrients, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Haitian Zhao
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
- The Intelligent Equipment Research Center for the Exploitation of Characteristic Food & Medicine Resources, Chongqing Research Institute, Harbin Institute of Technology, Chongqing, China
| | - Chen Song
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Synthesis, Transformation and Separation of Extreme Environmental Nutrients, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Shuanghong Guan
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Synthesis, Transformation and Separation of Extreme Environmental Nutrients, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Dayou Cheng
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Synthesis, Transformation and Separation of Extreme Environmental Nutrients, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Yeqing Sun
- Institute of Environmental Systems Biology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, China
| | - Weihong Lu
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Synthesis, Transformation and Separation of Extreme Environmental Nutrients, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
- The Intelligent Equipment Research Center for the Exploitation of Characteristic Food & Medicine Resources, Chongqing Research Institute, Harbin Institute of Technology, Chongqing, China
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Bisserier M, Brojakowska A, Saffran N, Rai AK, Lee B, Coleman M, Sebastian A, Evans A, Mills PJ, Addya S, Arakelyan A, Garikipati VNS, Hadri L, Goukassian DA. Astronauts Plasma-Derived Exosomes Induced Aberrant EZH2-Mediated H3K27me3 Epigenetic Regulation of the Vitamin D Receptor. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:855181. [PMID: 35783863 PMCID: PMC9243458 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.855181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There are unique stressors in the spaceflight environment. Exposure to such stressors may be associated with adverse effects on astronauts' health, including increased cancer and cardiovascular disease risks. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs, i.e., exosomes) play a vital role in intercellular communication and regulate various biological processes contributing to their role in disease pathogenesis. To assess whether spaceflight alters sEVs transcriptome profile, sEVs were isolated from the blood plasma of 3 astronauts at two different time points: 10 days before launch (L-10) and 3 days after return (R+3) from the Shuttle mission. AC16 cells (human cardiomyocyte cell line) were treated with L-10 and R+3 astronauts-derived exosomes for 24 h. Total RNA was isolated and analyzed for gene expression profiling using Affymetrix microarrays. Enrichment analysis was performed using Enrichr. Transcription factor (TF) enrichment analysis using the ENCODE/ChEA Consensus TF database identified gene sets related to the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and Vitamin D receptor (VDR) in AC16 cells treated with R+3 compared to cells treated with L-10 astronauts-derived exosomes. Further analysis of the histone modifications using datasets from the Roadmap Epigenomics Project confirmed enrichment in gene sets related to the H3K27me3 repressive mark. Interestingly, analysis of previously published H3K27me3-chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) ENCODE datasets showed enrichment of H3K27me3 in the VDR promoter. Collectively, our results suggest that astronaut-derived sEVs may epigenetically repress the expression of the VDR in human adult cardiomyocytes by promoting the activation of the PRC2 complex and H3K27me3 levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malik Bisserier
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Cardiovascular Research Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Agnieszka Brojakowska
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Cardiovascular Research Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nathaniel Saffran
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Cardiovascular Research Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Amit Kumar Rai
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Brooke Lee
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Matthew Coleman
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Aimy Sebastian
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Angela Evans
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Paul J. Mills
- Center of Excellence for Research and Training in Integrative Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Sankar Addya
- Kimmel Cancer Center, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Arsen Arakelyan
- Bioinformatics Group, Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (NAS RA), Yerevan, Armenia
- Department of Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, and Molecular Biology, Russian-Armenian University, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Venkata Naga Srikanth Garikipati
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
- Dorothy M. Davis Heart Lung and Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Lahouaria Hadri
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Cardiovascular Research Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - David A. Goukassian
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Cardiovascular Research Institute, New York, NY, United States
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Marvasi M, Monici M, Pantalone D, Cavalieri D. Exploitation of Skin Microbiota in Wound Healing: Perspectives During Space Missions. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:873384. [PMID: 35573226 PMCID: PMC9098812 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.873384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Wound healing is slowed in Space. Microgravity and possible physical factors associated with Space affect alterations in fibroblast, matrix formation, dysregulation in apoptosis and inflammation. The microbial populations settled on skin, space modules, in space suits, are also playing a pivotal role, as wound healing is also affected by the microbial community. We propose a perspective that includes four domines for the application of human skin microbiota for wound healing in Space: The natural antimicrobial properties of the skin microbiota, the crosstalk of the skin microbiota with the immune system during wound healing, the contribution of the microbiota in precision medicine, and the role of gut-skin and gut-brain axes. A stronger understanding of the connections and metabolic network among bacteria, fungi, the host’s immune system and the host metabolism will support the basis for a better wound healing in Space.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Monica Monici
- ASAcampus Joint Laboratory, ASA Res. Div., Deptartment of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Desirée Pantalone
- Emergency Surgery Unit-Trauma Team, Emergency Department, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Duccio Cavalieri
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- *Correspondence: Duccio Cavalieri,
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Chi Y, Wang X, Li F, Zhang Z, Tan P. Aerospace Technology Improves Fermentation Potential of Microorganisms. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:896556. [PMID: 35572688 PMCID: PMC9106405 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.896556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
It is highly possible to obtain high-quality microbial products in appreciable amounts, as aerospace technology is advancing continuously. Genome-wide genetic variations in microorganisms can be triggered by space microgravity and radiation. Mutation rate is high, mutant range is wide, and final mutant character is stable. Therefore, space microorganism breeding is growing to be a new and promising area in microbial science and has greatly propelled the development of fermentation technology. Numerous studies have discovered the following improvements of fermentation potential in microorganisms after exposure to space: (1) reduction in fermentation cycle and increase in growth rate; (2) improvement of mixed fermentation species; (3) increase in bacterial conjugation efficiency and motility; (4) improvement of the bioactivity of various key enzymes and product quality; (5) enhancement of multiple adverse stress resistance; (6) improvement of fermentation metabolites, flavor, appearance, and stability. Aerospace fermentation technology predominantly contributes to bioprocessing in a microgravity environment. Unlike terrestrial fermentation, aerospace fermentation keeps cells suspended in the fluid medium without significant shear forces. Space radiation and microgravity have physical, chemical, and biological effects on mutant microorganisms by causing alternation in fluid dynamics and genome, transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chi
- Wuzhoufeng Agricultural Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Yantai, China
| | - Xuejiang Wang
- Wuzhoufeng Agricultural Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Yantai, China
| | - Feng Li
- Wuzhoufeng Agricultural Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Yantai, China
| | - Zhikai Zhang
- Wuzhoufeng Agricultural Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Yantai, China
| | - Peiwen Tan
- Department of Computer Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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Fais G, Manca A, Bolognesi F, Borselli M, Concas A, Busutti M, Broggi G, Sanna P, Castillo-Aleman YM, Rivero-Jiménez RA, Bencomo-Hernandez AA, Ventura-Carmenate Y, Altea M, Pantaleo A, Gabrielli G, Biglioli F, Cao G, Giannaccare G. Wide Range Applications of Spirulina: From Earth to Space Missions. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20050299. [PMID: 35621951 PMCID: PMC9143897 DOI: 10.3390/md20050299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Spirulina is the most studied cyanobacterium species for both pharmacological applications and the food industry. The aim of the present review is to summarize the potential benefits of the use of Spirulina for improving healthcare both in space and on Earth. Regarding the first field of application, Spirulina could represent a new technology for the sustainment of long-duration manned missions to planets beyond the Lower Earth Orbit (e.g., Mars); furthermore, it could help astronauts stay healthy while exposed to a variety of stress factors that can have negative consequences even after years. As far as the second field of application, Spirulina could have an active role in various aspects of medicine, such as metabolism, oncology, ophthalmology, central and peripheral nervous systems, and nephrology. The recent findings of the capacity of Spirulina to improve stem cells mobility and to increase immune response have opened new intriguing scenarios in oncological and infectious diseases, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Fais
- Interdepartmental Centre of Environmental Science and Engineering (CINSA), University of Cagliari, Via San Giorgio 12, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (G.F.); (A.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Alessia Manca
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/B, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.); (A.P.)
| | - Federico Bolognesi
- Unit of Maxillofacial Surgery, Head and Neck Department, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo Hospital, University of Milan, Via Antonio di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy; (F.B.); (F.B.)
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni 33, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Borselli
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Magna Grecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Concas
- Interdepartmental Centre of Environmental Science and Engineering (CINSA), University of Cagliari, Via San Giorgio 12, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (G.F.); (A.C.); (G.C.)
- Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marco Busutti
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplant Unit, IRCCS-Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, University of Bologna, Via Giuseppe Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Broggi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, University of Milan, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy;
- Columbus Clinic Center, Via Michelangelo Buonarroti 48, 20145 Milan, Italy
| | - Pierdanilo Sanna
- Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, Al Misaha Street, Rowdhat, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; (P.S.); (Y.M.C.-A.); (R.A.R.-J.); (A.A.B.-H.); (Y.V.-C.)
| | - Yandy Marx Castillo-Aleman
- Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, Al Misaha Street, Rowdhat, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; (P.S.); (Y.M.C.-A.); (R.A.R.-J.); (A.A.B.-H.); (Y.V.-C.)
| | - René Antonio Rivero-Jiménez
- Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, Al Misaha Street, Rowdhat, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; (P.S.); (Y.M.C.-A.); (R.A.R.-J.); (A.A.B.-H.); (Y.V.-C.)
| | - Antonio Alfonso Bencomo-Hernandez
- Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, Al Misaha Street, Rowdhat, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; (P.S.); (Y.M.C.-A.); (R.A.R.-J.); (A.A.B.-H.); (Y.V.-C.)
| | - Yendry Ventura-Carmenate
- Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, Al Misaha Street, Rowdhat, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; (P.S.); (Y.M.C.-A.); (R.A.R.-J.); (A.A.B.-H.); (Y.V.-C.)
| | - Michela Altea
- TOLO Green, Via San Damiano 2, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.A.); (G.G.)
| | - Antonella Pantaleo
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/B, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.); (A.P.)
| | | | - Federico Biglioli
- Unit of Maxillofacial Surgery, Head and Neck Department, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo Hospital, University of Milan, Via Antonio di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy; (F.B.); (F.B.)
| | - Giacomo Cao
- Interdepartmental Centre of Environmental Science and Engineering (CINSA), University of Cagliari, Via San Giorgio 12, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (G.F.); (A.C.); (G.C.)
- Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies, Research and Development in Sardinia (CRS4), Loc. Piscina Manna, Building 1, 09050 Pula, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Giannaccare
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Magna Grecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-3317186201
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Xu Y, Pei W, Hu W. A Current Overview of the Biological Effects of Combined Space Environmental Factors in Mammals. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:861006. [PMID: 35493084 PMCID: PMC9039719 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.861006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Distinct from Earth’s environment, space environmental factors mainly include space radiation, microgravity, hypomagnetic field, and disrupted light/dark cycles that cause physiological changes in astronauts. Numerous studies have demonstrated that space environmental factors can lead to muscle atrophy, bone loss, carcinogenesis, immune disorders, vascular function and cognitive impairment. Most current ground-based studies focused on single environmental factor biological effects. To promote manned space exploration, a better understanding of the biological effects of the spaceflight environment is necessary. This paper summarizes the latest research progress of the combined biological effects of double or multiple space environmental factors on mammalian cells, and discusses their possible molecular mechanisms, with the hope of providing a scientific theoretical basis to develop appropriate countermeasures for astronauts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiological Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Suzhou, China
| | - Weiwei Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiological Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Suzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Weiwei Pei, ; Wentao Hu,
| | - Wentao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiological Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Suzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Weiwei Pei, ; Wentao Hu,
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Dermatitis during Spaceflight Associated with HSV-1 Reactivation. Viruses 2022; 14:v14040789. [PMID: 35458519 PMCID: PMC9028032 DOI: 10.3390/v14040789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Human alpha herpesviruses herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) establish latency in various cranial nerve ganglia and often reactivate in response to stress-associated immune system dysregulation. Reactivation of Epstein Barr virus (EBV), VZV, HSV-1, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) is typically asymptomatic during spaceflight, though live/infectious virus has been recovered and the shedding rate increases with mission duration. The risk of clinical disease, therefore, may increase for astronauts assigned to extended missions (>180 days). Here, we report, for the first time, a case of HSV-1 skin rash (dermatitis) occurring during long-duration spaceflight. The astronaut reported persistent dermatitis during flight, which was treated onboard with oral antihistamines and topical/oral steroids. No HSV-1 DNA was detected in 6-month pre-mission saliva samples, but on flight day 82, a saliva and rash swab both yielded 4.8 copies/ng DNA and 5.3 × 104 copies/ng DNA, respectively. Post-mission saliva samples continued to have a high infectious HSV-1 load (1.67 × 107 copies/ng DNA). HSV-1 from both rash and saliva samples had 99.9% genotype homology. Additional physiological monitoring, including stress biomarkers (cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and salivary amylase), immune markers (adaptive regulatory and inflammatory plasma cytokines), and biochemical profile markers, including vitamin/mineral status and bone metabolism, are also presented for this case. These data highlight an atypical presentation of HSV-1 during spaceflight and underscore the importance of viral screening during clinical evaluations of in-flight dermatitis to determine viral etiology and guide treatment.
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Combined Impact of Magnetic Force and Spaceflight Conditions on Escherichia Coli Physiology. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031837. [PMID: 35163759 PMCID: PMC8836844 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in bacterial physiology caused by the combined action of the magnetic force and microgravity were studied in Escherichia coli grown using a specially developed device aboard the International Space Station. The morphology and metabolism of E. coli grown under spaceflight (SF) or combined spaceflight and magnetic force (SF + MF) conditions were compared with ground cultivated bacteria grown under standard (control) or magnetic force (MF) conditions. SF, SF + MF, and MF conditions provided the up-regulation of Ag43 auto-transporter and cell auto-aggregation. The magnetic force caused visible clustering of non-sedimenting bacteria that formed matrix-containing aggregates under SF + MF and MF conditions. Cell auto-aggregation was accompanied by up-regulation of glyoxylate shunt enzymes and Vitamin B12 transporter BtuB. Under SF and SF + MF but not MF conditions nutrition and oxygen limitations were manifested by the down-regulation of glycolysis and TCA enzymes and the up-regulation of methylglyoxal bypass. Bacteria grown under combined SF + MF conditions demonstrated superior up-regulation of enzymes of the methylglyoxal bypass and down-regulation of glycolysis and TCA enzymes compared to SF conditions, suggesting that the magnetic force strengthened the effects of microgravity on the bacterial metabolism. This strengthening appeared to be due to magnetic force-dependent bacterial clustering within a small volume that reinforced the effects of the microgravity-driven absence of convectional flows.
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Giri J, Moll G. MSCs in Space: Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapeutics as Enabling Technology for Long-Distance Manned Space Travel. CURRENT STEM CELL REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40778-022-00207-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose of Review
Advancements in space travel, such as space tourism into Earth’s orbit, but also the prospect of long-distance manned space travel to other celestial bodies such as Mars, has generated a clinical need for new enabling technologies to support the long-term well-being of humans during their passage. Here, we will give an outline on the clinical need and practical considerations to MSC therapy as enabling technology for long-distance manned space travel.
Recent Findings
Long-distance space travel entails a threat to the health of astronaut crews due to the low gravity environment and exposure to toxic radiation in space. Multi-organ-system degenerative changes, such as decline in musculoskeletal, hematopoietic, immune system function, and in particular risk of genetic mutations and cancer, are major health concerns. Physical training, pharmacological agents, and protective shielding are among the currently available methods to counteract harmful effects. However, a potential lack of adequate shielding, side effects of pharmacological compounds, and limitations to physical training suggest a need for new countermeasures, to protect space travellers to the best extent. Here, the prospect of cell-based therapy, e.g. mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs), has been subject to intense research, due to their potent regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. Off-the-shelf MSC therapeutics can be easily maintained in space due to the ambient extremely low-temperature environment, and cryorecovery and even culturing of MSCs under microgravity were shown to be feasible.
Summary
Designing new therapy against harmful radiation is urgent need in space travel. Here we will discuss aspects related to clinical MSC administration to optimize their therapeutic benefit. MSC-based therapy may aid in evolving protective countermeasures for space travellers.
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Bisserier M, Saffran N, Brojakowska A, Sebastian A, Evans AC, Coleman MA, Walsh K, Mills PJ, Garikipati VNS, Arakelyan A, Hadri L, Goukassian DA. Emerging Role of Exosomal Long Non-coding RNAs in Spaceflight-Associated Risks in Astronauts. Front Genet 2022; 12:812188. [PMID: 35111205 PMCID: PMC8803151 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.812188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
During spaceflight, astronauts are exposed to multiple unique environmental factors, particularly microgravity and ionizing radiation, that can cause a range of harmful health consequences. Over the past decades, increasing evidence demonstrates that the space environment can induce changes in gene expression and RNA processing. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) represent an emerging area of focus in molecular biology as they modulate chromatin structure and function, the transcription of neighboring genes, and affect RNA splicing, stability, and translation. They have been implicated in cancer development and associated with diverse cardiovascular conditions and associated risk factors. However, their role on astronauts' health after spaceflight remains poorly understood. In this perspective article, we provide new insights into the potential role of exosomal lncRNA after spaceflight. We analyzed the transcriptional profile of exosomes isolated from peripheral blood plasma of three astronauts who flew on various Shuttle missions between 1998-2001 by RNA-sequencing. Computational analysis of the transcriptome of these exosomes identified 27 differentially expressed lncRNAs with a Log2 fold change, with molecular, cellular, and clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malik Bisserier
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nathaniel Saffran
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Agnieszka Brojakowska
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Aimy Sebastian
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Angela Clare Evans
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Matthew A. Coleman
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Kenneth Walsh
- School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Paul J. Mills
- Center of Excellence for Research and Training in Integrative Health, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Venkata Naga Srikanth Garikipati
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Dorothy M. Davis Heart Lung and Research Institute, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Arsen Arakelyan
- Bioinformatics Group, The Institute of Molecular Biology, The National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Lahouaria Hadri
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - David A. Goukassian
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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Lantin S, Mendell S, Akkad G, Cohen AN, Apicella X, McCoy E, Beltran-Pardo E, Waltemathe M, Srinivasan P, Joshi PM, Rothman JH, Lubin P. Interstellar space biology via Project Starlight. ACTA ASTRONAUTICA 2022; 190:261-272. [PMID: 36710946 PMCID: PMC9881496 DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2021.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Our ability to explore the cosmos by direct contact has been limited to a small number of lunar and interplanetary missions. However, the NASA Starlight program points a path forward to send small, relativistic spacecraft far outside our solar system via standoff directed-energy propulsion. These miniaturized spacecraft are capable of robotic exploration but can also transport seeds and organisms, marking a profound change in our ability to both characterize and expand the reach of known life. Here we explore the biological and technological challenges of interstellar space biology, focusing on radiation-tolerant microorganisms capable of cryptobiosis. Additionally, we discuss planetary protection concerns and other ethical considerations of sending life to the stars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Lantin
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, FL, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
| | - Sophie Mendell
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
- College of Creative Studies, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
| | - Ghassan Akkad
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
| | - Alexander N. Cohen
- Department of Physics, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
| | - Xander Apicella
- Department of Physics, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
| | - Emma McCoy
- Department of Physics, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Prasanna Srinivasan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
- Center for BioEngineering, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
| | - Pradeep M. Joshi
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
| | - Joel H. Rothman
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
| | - Philip Lubin
- Department of Physics, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, 93106, CA, USA
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33
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Cortés-Sánchez JL, Callant J, Krüger M, Sahana J, Kraus A, Baselet B, Infanger M, Baatout S, Grimm D. Cancer Studies under Space Conditions: Finding Answers Abroad. Biomedicines 2021; 10:biomedicines10010025. [PMID: 35052703 PMCID: PMC8773191 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review article, we discuss the current state of knowledge in cancer research under real and simulated microgravity conditions and point out further research directions in this field. Outer space is an extremely hostile environment for human life, with radiation, microgravity, and vacuum posing significant hazards. Although the risk for cancer in astronauts is not clear, microgravity plays a thought-provoking role in the carcinogenesis of normal and cancer cells, causing such effects as multicellular spheroid formation, cytoskeleton rearrangement, alteration of gene expression and protein synthesis, and apoptosis. Furthermore, deleterious effects of radiation on cells seem to be accentuated under microgravity. Ground-based facilities have been used to study microgravity effects in addition to laborious experiments during parabolic flights or on space stations. Some potential 'gravisensors' have already been detected, and further identification of these mechanisms of mechanosensitivity could open up ways for therapeutic influence on cancer growth and apoptosis. These novel findings may help to find new effective cancer treatments and to provide health protection for humans on future long-term spaceflights and exploration of outer space.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Luis Cortés-Sánchez
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.L.C.-S.); (M.K.); (A.K.); (M.I.)
| | - Jonas Callant
- Radiobiology Unit, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), 2400 Mol, Belgium; (J.C.); (B.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Marcus Krüger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.L.C.-S.); (M.K.); (A.K.); (M.I.)
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Jayashree Sahana
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark;
| | - Armin Kraus
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.L.C.-S.); (M.K.); (A.K.); (M.I.)
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Bjorn Baselet
- Radiobiology Unit, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), 2400 Mol, Belgium; (J.C.); (B.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Manfred Infanger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.L.C.-S.); (M.K.); (A.K.); (M.I.)
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Radiobiology Unit, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), 2400 Mol, Belgium; (J.C.); (B.B.); (S.B.)
- Department Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Daniela Grimm
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.L.C.-S.); (M.K.); (A.K.); (M.I.)
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-21379702
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Barravecchia I, De Cesari C, Forcato M, Scebba F, Pyankova OV, Bridger JM, Foster HA, Signore G, Borghini A, Andreassi M, Andreazzoli M, Bicciato S, Pè ME, Angeloni D. Microgravity and space radiation inhibit autophagy in human capillary endothelial cells, through either opposite or synergistic effects on specific molecular pathways. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 79:28. [PMID: 34936031 PMCID: PMC11072227 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04025-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Microgravity and space radiation (SR) are two highly influential factors affecting humans in space flight (SF). Many health problems reported by astronauts derive from endothelial dysfunction and impaired homeostasis. Here, we describe the adaptive response of human, capillary endothelial cells to SF. Reference samples on the ground and at 1g onboard permitted discrimination between the contribution of microgravity and SR within the combined responses to SF. Cell softening and reduced motility occurred in SF cells, with a loss of actin stress fibers and a broader distribution of microtubules and intermediate filaments within the cytoplasm than in control cells. Furthermore, in space the number of primary cilia per cell increased and DNA repair mechanisms were found to be activated. Transcriptomics revealed the opposing effects of microgravity from SR for specific molecular pathways: SR, unlike microgravity, stimulated pathways for endothelial activation, such as hypoxia and inflammation, DNA repair and apoptosis, inhibiting autophagic flux and promoting an aged-like phenotype. Conversely, microgravity, unlike SR, activated pathways for metabolism and a pro-proliferative phenotype. Therefore, we suggest microgravity and SR should be considered separately to tailor effective countermeasures to protect astronauts' health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Barravecchia
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara De Cesari
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56123, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mattia Forcato
- Center for Genome Research, Department of Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Scebba
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Olga V Pyankova
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Joanna M Bridger
- Laboratory of Nuclear and Genomic Health, Centre of Genome Engineering and Maintenance, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Helen A Foster
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | | | - Andrea Borghini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Silvio Bicciato
- Center for Genome Research, Department of Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Mario Enrico Pè
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Debora Angeloni
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
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35
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Ma L, Kong F, Gong Y, Wang Q, Liu J, Sui L. Combined Effects of Proton Radiation and Simulated Microgravity on the Cell Viability and ALP Activity of Murine Osteoblast Cells. Front Public Health 2021; 9:759236. [PMID: 34917576 PMCID: PMC8669367 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.759236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Proton radiation (PR) and microgravity (μG) are two key factors that impact living things in space. This study aimed to explore the combined effects of PR and simulated μG (SμG) on bone function. Mouse embryo osteoblast precursor cells (MC3T3-E1) were irradiated with proton beams and immediately treated with SμG for 2 days using a three-dimensional clinostat. All samples were subjected to cell viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and transcriptome assays. The results showed that cell viability decreased with increasing doses of PR. The peak ALP activity after PR or SμG alone was lower than that obtained with the non-treatment control. No difference in cell viability or ALP activity was found between 1 Gy PR combined with SμG (PR-SμG) and PR alone. However, 4 Gy PR-SμG resulted in decreased cell viability and ALP activity compared with those obtained with PR alone. Furthermore, Gene Ontology analysis revealed the same trend. These results revealed that PR-SμG may lead to reductions in the proliferation and differentiation capacities of cells in a dose-dependent manner. Our data provide new insights into bone-related hazards caused by multiple factors, such as PR and μG, in the space environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqiu Ma
- Department of Nuclear Physics, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China.,National Innovation Center of Radiation Application, Beijing, China
| | - Fuquan Kong
- Department of Nuclear Physics, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China.,National Innovation Center of Radiation Application, Beijing, China
| | - Yihao Gong
- Department of Nuclear Physics, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China.,National Innovation Center of Radiation Application, Beijing, China
| | - Qiaojuan Wang
- Department of Nuclear Physics, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China.,National Innovation Center of Radiation Application, Beijing, China
| | - Jiancheng Liu
- Department of Nuclear Physics, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China.,National Innovation Center of Radiation Application, Beijing, China
| | - Li Sui
- Department of Nuclear Physics, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China.,National Innovation Center of Radiation Application, Beijing, China
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36
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Rosenstein AH, Walker VK. Fidelity of a Bacterial DNA Polymerase in Microgravity, a Model for Human Health in Space. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:702849. [PMID: 34912795 PMCID: PMC8666419 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.702849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term space missions will expose crew members, their cells as well as their microbiomes to prolonged periods of microgravity and ionizing radiation, environmental stressors for which almost no earth-based organisms have evolved to survive. Despite the importance of maintaining genomic integrity, the impact of these stresses on DNA polymerase-mediated replication and repair has not been fully explored. DNA polymerase fidelity and replication rates were assayed under conditions of microgravity generated by parabolic flight and compared to earth-like gravity. Upon commencement of a parabolic arc, primed synthetic single-stranded DNA was used as a template for one of two enzymes (Klenow fragment exonuclease+/-; with and without proofreading exonuclease activity, respectively) and were quenched immediately following the 20 s microgravitational period. DNA polymerase error rates were determined with an algorithm developed to identify experimental mutations. In microgravity Klenow exonuclease+ showed a median 1.1-fold per-base decrease in polymerization fidelity for base substitutions when compared to earth-like gravity (p = 0.02), but in the absence of proofreading activity, a 2.4-fold decrease was observed (p = 1.98 × 10-11). Similarly, 1.1-fold and 1.5-fold increases in deletion frequencies in the presence or absence of exonuclease activity (p = 1.51 × 10-7 and p = 8.74 × 10-13), respectively, were observed in microgravity compared to controls. The development of this flexible semi-autonomous payload system coupled with genetic and bioinformatic approaches serves as a proof-of-concept for future space health research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron H Rosenstein
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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37
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Cialdai F, Bolognini D, Vignali L, Iannotti N, Cacchione S, Magi A, Balsamo M, Vukich M, Neri G, Donati A, Monici M, Capaccioli S, Lulli M. Effect of space flight on the behavior of human retinal pigment epithelial ARPE-19 cells and evaluation of coenzyme Q10 treatment. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:7795-7812. [PMID: 34714361 PMCID: PMC11073052 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03989-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) are exposed to the damaging effects of microgravity and cosmic radiation. One of the most critical and sensitive districts of an organism is the eye, particularly the retina, and > 50% of astronauts develop a complex of alterations designated as spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome. However, the pathogenesis of this condition is not clearly understood. In the current study, we aimed to explore the cellular and molecular effects induced in the human retinal pigment ARPE-19 cell line by their transfer to and 3-day stay on board the ISS in the context of an experiment funded by the Agenzia Spaziale Italiana. Treatment of cells on board the ISS with the well-known bioenergetic, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic coenzyme Q10 was also evaluated. In the ground control experiment, the cells were exposed to the same conditions as on the ISS, with the exception of microgravity and radiation. The transfer of ARPE-19 retinal cells to the ISS and their living on board for 3 days did not affect cell viability or apoptosis but induced cytoskeleton remodeling consisting of vimentin redistribution from the cellular boundaries to the perinuclear area, underlining the collapse of the network of intermediate vimentin filaments under unloading conditions. The morphological changes endured by ARPE-19 cells grown on board the ISS were associated with changes in the transcriptomic profile related to the cellular response to the space environment and were consistent with cell dysfunction adaptations. In addition, the results obtained from ARPE-19 cells treated with coenzyme Q10 indicated its potential to increase cell resistance to damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cialdai
- ASAcampus Joint Laboratory, ASA Res. Div., Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Università Degli Studi Di Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - Davide Bolognini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Degli Studi Di Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - Leonardo Vignali
- ASAcampus Joint Laboratory, ASA Res. Div., Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Università Degli Studi Di Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - Nicola Iannotti
- Department of Life Sciences, Università Degli Studi Di Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Stefano Cacchione
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Università Di Roma "La Sapienza", Roma, Italy
| | - Alberto Magi
- Department of Information Engineering, Università Degli Studi Di Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Monica Monici
- ASAcampus Joint Laboratory, ASA Res. Div., Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Università Degli Studi Di Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - Sergio Capaccioli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Università Degli Studi Di Firenze, viale Morgagni 50, 50134, Firenze, Italy
| | - Matteo Lulli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Università Degli Studi Di Firenze, viale Morgagni 50, 50134, Firenze, Italy.
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38
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Blokhinа TM, Yashkina EI, Belyaeva AG, Perevezentsev AA, Shtemberg AS, Osipov AN. Long-Term Persistence of Increased Number of γH2AX + Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes in Monkeys Exposed to Negative Factors of Space Flights: Ionizing Radiation and Simulated Hypogravity. Bull Exp Biol Med 2021; 172:81-84. [PMID: 34791560 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-021-05336-8] [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: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
We studied the influence of ionizing radiation and hypogravity as negative factors of space flights on DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of rhesus monkeys at different times after exposure (from 1 to 446 days). The proportion of cells with high numbers of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB), positive for the surrogate DSB marker-protein γH2AX, was monitored using flow cytometry. Some animals were exposed to 7-day antiorthostatic hypokinesia simulating hypogravity, the others to a combined effect of antiorthostatic hypokinesia, whole-body γ-irradiation (2.34 cGy/h, dose 1 Gy), and irradiation of the head with 12C ions (450 MeV, dose 1 Gy). Exposure to antiorthostatic hypokinesia led to a significant increase in the proportion of γH2AX+ lymphocytes only on the first day after exposure, whereas after combined exposure, increased numbers of damaged lymphocytes were recorded up to 42 days after exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Blokhinа
- A. I. Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center, Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, Moscow, Russia.,N. N. Semenov Federal Research Center of Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - E I Yashkina
- A. I. Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center, Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - A G Belyaeva
- Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - A A Perevezentsev
- Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - A S Shtemberg
- Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - A N Osipov
- A. I. Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center, Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, Moscow, Russia. .,N. N. Semenov Federal Research Center of Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
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39
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Calvaruso M, Militello C, Minafra L, La Regina V, Torrisi F, Pucci G, Cammarata FP, Bravatà V, Forte GI, Russo G. Biological and Mechanical Characterization of the Random Positioning Machine (RPM) for Microgravity Simulations. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11111190. [PMID: 34833068 PMCID: PMC8619501 DOI: 10.3390/life11111190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid improvement of space technologies is leading to the continuous increase of space missions that will soon bring humans back to the Moon and, in the coming future, toward longer interplanetary missions such as the one to Mars. The idea of living in space is charming and fascinating; however, the space environment is a harsh place to host human life and exposes the crew to many physical challenges. The absence of gravity experienced in space affects many aspects of human biology and can be reproduced in vitro with the help of microgravity simulators. Simulated microgravity (s-μg) is applied in many fields of research, ranging from cell biology to physics, including cancer biology. In our study, we aimed to characterize, at the biological and mechanical level, a Random Positioning Machine in order to simulate microgravity in an in vitro model of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). We investigated the effects played by s-μg by analyzing the change of expression of some genes that drive proliferation, survival, cell death, cancer stemness, and metastasis in the human MDA-MB-231 cell line. Besides the mechanical verification of the RPM used in our studies, our biological findings highlighted the impact of s-μg and its putative involvement in cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Calvaruso
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), 90015 Cefalù, Italy; (M.C.); (C.M.); (F.P.C.); (V.B.); (G.I.F.); (G.R.)
| | - Carmelo Militello
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), 90015 Cefalù, Italy; (M.C.); (C.M.); (F.P.C.); (V.B.); (G.I.F.); (G.R.)
| | - Luigi Minafra
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), 90015 Cefalù, Italy; (M.C.); (C.M.); (F.P.C.); (V.B.); (G.I.F.); (G.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Filippo Torrisi
- Departments of Biomedical and BioTechnological Science (BIOMETEC), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Gaia Pucci
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STeBiCeF), University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Francesco P. Cammarata
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), 90015 Cefalù, Italy; (M.C.); (C.M.); (F.P.C.); (V.B.); (G.I.F.); (G.R.)
| | - Valentina Bravatà
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), 90015 Cefalù, Italy; (M.C.); (C.M.); (F.P.C.); (V.B.); (G.I.F.); (G.R.)
| | - Giusi I. Forte
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), 90015 Cefalù, Italy; (M.C.); (C.M.); (F.P.C.); (V.B.); (G.I.F.); (G.R.)
| | - Giorgio Russo
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), 90015 Cefalù, Italy; (M.C.); (C.M.); (F.P.C.); (V.B.); (G.I.F.); (G.R.)
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Basirun C, Ferlazzo ML, Howell NR, Liu GJ, Middleton RJ, Martinac B, Narayanan SA, Poole K, Gentile C, Chou J. Microgravity × Radiation: A Space Mechanobiology Approach Toward Cardiovascular Function and Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:750775. [PMID: 34778261 PMCID: PMC8586646 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.750775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in space exploration, supported by the accelerated technological advancements in the field. This has led to a new potential environment that humans could be exposed to in the very near future, and therefore an increasing request to evaluate the impact this may have on our body, including health risks associated with this endeavor. A critical component in regulating the human pathophysiology is represented by the cardiovascular system, which may be heavily affected in these extreme environments of microgravity and radiation. This mini review aims to identify the impact of microgravity and radiation on the cardiovascular system. Being able to understand the effect that comes with deep space explorations, including that of microgravity and space radiation, may also allow us to get a deeper understanding of the heart and ultimately our own basic physiological processes. This information may unlock new factors to consider with space exploration whilst simultaneously increasing our knowledge of the cardiovascular system and potentially associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carin Basirun
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Melanie L. Ferlazzo
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
- Inserm, U1296 Unit, Radiation: Defense, Health and Environment, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Nicholas R. Howell
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Guo-Jun Liu
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
- Discipline of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Ryan J. Middleton
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Boris Martinac
- Molecular Cardiology and Biophysics Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - S. Anand Narayanan
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Kate Poole
- EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Carmine Gentile
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Joshua Chou
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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41
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Zaimenko NV, Ivanytska BO, Rositska NV, Didyk NP, Liu D, Pyzyk M, Slaski J. Physiological responses of orchids to prolonged clinorotation. BIOSYSTEMS DIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.15421/10.15421/012146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Creation of plant-based bioregenerative life support systems is crucial for future long-duration space exploring missions. Microgravity is one of the major stresses affecting plant growth and development under space flight conditions. Search for higher plant genotypes resilient to microgravity as well as revealing of biological features which could be used as markers of such resilience is rather urgently needed. The objective of this study was to analyze physiological and biochemical responses of three orchid species representing different life forms (terrestrial and epiphytic), growth types (monopodial and sympodial) and pathways of CO2 fixation to long-term (24 months) clinorotation which modeled the combined effect of two stress factors: hermetic conditions and microgravity. Three years old meristematic orchids Cypripedium flavum, Angraecum eburneum, Epidendrum radicans, representing different life forms, types of branching shoot system and pathways of CO2 fixation, were used as test-plants. The microgravity was simulated using three-dimensional (3-D) clinostat equipped with two rotation axes placed at right angles (rotation frequency was 3 rpm) in controlled conditions of air temperature, illumination, air humidity and substrate moisture. The control plants were grown in the similar plastic vessels but not hermetically sealed and without clinorotating in the same environmental conditions. The vital state of the test plants was assessed using characteristics of mineral nutrition, content of photosynthetic pigments, free amino acids, soluble proteins, DNA and RNA, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. The results of this study confirmed that orchids grown under simulated microgravity and kept in hermetically-sealed vessels were subjected to oxidative stress, which could be responsible for the observed inhibition of basic physiological processes such as mineral nutrition, metabolism of aminoacids, protein biosynthesis and photosynthesis. Monopodial orchids C. flavum and A. eburneum demonstrated better adaptation to prolonged clinorotation as compared to sympodial E. radicans. In particular, the latter demonstrated some stimulation of mineral nutrition processes (i.e. K, N, Fe, Mn, Zn accumulation), content of photosynthetic pigments, proline and superoxide dismutase activity. Long-lasting clinorotation induced adaptive changes of antioxidant systems in the studied orchids (e.i. increase in carotenoids and proline content and stimulation of superoxide dismutase activity), which helped to maintain the main physiological functions at stable level in the above-mentioned stressful conditions. The following biochemical characteristics in the studied orchids could be considered as markers of resilience to simulated microgravity and hermetic conditions: 1) an increase in the accumulation of non-enzymatic (proline, carotenoids) and enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase); 2) ability to maintain stable balance of mineral nutrients; 3) increase in the content of photosynthetic pigments; 4) increase in the content of proteinogenic amino acids and soluble proteins; 5) increase in the DNA content or RNA/DNA ratio. Our studies have also demonstrated a correlation between orchid ecomorphological characteristics such as type of branching with their adaptive responses to prolonged clinorotation. We observed no correlation between the studied life form of orchids, ecotype or the pathway of CO2 fixation and their resilience to prolonged clinorotation. This research can be a starting point for studying the relationships between ecomorphological features of various orchids and their resilience to microgravity conditions in the search for biological markers of microgravity tolerance in species of higher plants.
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42
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Zaimenko NV, Ivanytska BO, Rositska NV, Didyk NP, Liu D, Pyzyk M, Slaski J. Physiological responses of orchids to prolonged clinorotation. BIOSYSTEMS DIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.15421/012146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Creation of plant-based bioregenerative life support systems is crucial for future long-duration space exploring missions. Microgravity is one of the major stresses affecting plant growth and development under space flight conditions. Search for higher plant genotypes resilient to microgravity as well as revealing of biological features which could be used as markers of such resilience is rather urgently needed. The objective of this study was to analyze physiological and biochemical responses of three orchid species representing different life forms (terrestrial and epiphytic), growth types (monopodial and sympodial) and pathways of CO2 fixation to long-term (24 months) clinorotation which modeled the combined effect of two stress factors: hermetic conditions and microgravity. Three years old meristematic orchids Cypripedium flavum, Angraecum eburneum, Epidendrum radicans, representing different life forms, types of branching shoot system and pathways of CO2 fixation, were used as test-plants. The microgravity was simulated using three-dimensional (3-D) clinostat equipped with two rotation axes placed at right angles (rotation frequency was 3 rpm) in controlled conditions of air temperature, illumination, air humidity and substrate moisture. The control plants were grown in the similar plastic vessels but not hermetically sealed and without clinorotating in the same environmental conditions. The vital state of the test plants was assessed using characteristics of mineral nutrition, content of photosynthetic pigments, free amino acids, soluble proteins, DNA and RNA, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. The results of this study confirmed that orchids grown under simulated microgravity and kept in hermetically-sealed vessels were subjected to oxidative stress, which could be responsible for the observed inhibition of basic physiological processes such as mineral nutrition, metabolism of aminoacids, protein biosynthesis and photosynthesis. Monopodial orchids C. flavum and A. eburneum demonstrated better adaptation to prolonged clinorotation as compared to sympodial E. radicans. In particular, the latter demonstrated some stimulation of mineral nutrition processes (i.e. K, N, Fe, Mn, Zn accumulation), content of photosynthetic pigments, proline and superoxide dismutase activity. Long-lasting clinorotation induced adaptive changes of antioxidant systems in the studied orchids (e.i. increase in carotenoids and proline content and stimulation of superoxide dismutase activity), which helped to maintain the main physiological functions at stable level in the above-mentioned stressful conditions. The following biochemical characteristics in the studied orchids could be considered as markers of resilience to simulated microgravity and hermetic conditions: 1) an increase in the accumulation of non-enzymatic (proline, carotenoids) and enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase); 2) ability to maintain stable balance of mineral nutrients; 3) increase in the content of photosynthetic pigments; 4) increase in the content of proteinogenic amino acids and soluble proteins; 5) increase in the DNA content or RNA/DNA ratio. Our studies have also demonstrated a correlation between orchid ecomorphological characteristics such as type of branching with their adaptive responses to prolonged clinorotation. We observed no correlation between the studied life form of orchids, ecotype or the pathway of CO2 fixation and their resilience to prolonged clinorotation. This research can be a starting point for studying the relationships between ecomorphological features of various orchids and their resilience to microgravity conditions in the search for biological markers of microgravity tolerance in species of higher plants.
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43
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Raber J, Holden S, Sudhakar R, Hall R, Glaeser B, Lenarczyk M, Rockwell K, Nawarawong N, Sterrett J, Perez R, Leonard SW, Morré J, Choi J, Kronenberg A, Borg A, Kwok A, Stevens JF, Olsen CM, Willey JS, Bobe G, Baker J. Effects of 5-Ion Beam Irradiation and Hindlimb Unloading on Metabolic Pathways in Plasma and Brain of Behaviorally Tested WAG/Rij Rats. Front Physiol 2021; 12:746509. [PMID: 34646164 PMCID: PMC8503608 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.746509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
A limitation of simulated space radiation studies is that radiation exposure is not the only environmental challenge astronauts face during missions. Therefore, we characterized behavioral and cognitive performance of male WAG/Rij rats 3 months after sham-irradiation or total body irradiation with a simplified 5-ion mixed beam exposure in the absence or presence of simulated weightlessness using hindlimb unloading (HU) alone. Six months following behavioral and cognitive testing or 9 months following sham-irradiation or total body irradiation, plasma and brain tissues (hippocampus and cortex) were processed to determine whether the behavioral and cognitive effects were associated with long-term alterations in metabolic pathways in plasma and brain. Sham HU, but not irradiated HU, rats were impaired in spatial habituation learning. Rats irradiated with 1.5 Gy showed increased depressive-like behaviors. This was seen in the absence but not presence of HU. Thus, HU has differential effects in sham-irradiated and irradiated animals and specific behavioral measures are associated with plasma levels of distinct metabolites 6 months later. The combined effects of HU and radiation on metabolic pathways in plasma and brain illustrate the complex interaction of environmental stressors and highlights the importance of assessing these interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Raber
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States.,Department of Neurology, Psychiatry, and Radiation Medicine, Division of Neuroscience, ONPRC, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States.,College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Sarah Holden
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Reetesh Sudhakar
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Reed Hall
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Breanna Glaeser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuroscience Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Marek Lenarczyk
- Radiation Biosciences Laboratory, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Kristen Rockwell
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuroscience Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Natalie Nawarawong
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuroscience Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Jennifer Sterrett
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuroscience Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Ruby Perez
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Scott William Leonard
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Jeffrey Morré
- Mass Spectrometry Core, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Jaewoo Choi
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Amy Kronenberg
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Alexander Borg
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Andy Kwok
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Jan Frederik Stevens
- College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States.,Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Christopher M Olsen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuroscience Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Jeffrey S Willey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Gerd Bobe
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States.,Department of Animal Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - John Baker
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuroscience Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States.,Radiation Biosciences Laboratory, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
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Genchi GG, Degl’Innocenti A, Martinelli C, Battaglini M, De Pasquale D, Prato M, Marras S, Pugliese G, Drago F, Mariani A, Balsamo M, Zolesi V, Ciofani G. Cerium Oxide Nanoparticle Administration to Skeletal Muscle Cells under Different Gravity and Radiation Conditions. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:40200-40213. [PMID: 34410709 PMCID: PMC8414486 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c14176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
For their remarkable biomimetic properties implying strong modulation of the intracellular and extracellular redox state, cerium oxide nanoparticles (also termed "nanoceria") were hypothesized to exert a protective role against oxidative stress associated with the harsh environmental conditions of spaceflight, characterized by microgravity and highly energetic radiations. Nanoparticles were supplied to proliferating C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cells under different gravity and radiation levels. Biological responses were thus investigated at a transcriptional level by RNA next-generation sequencing. Lists of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were generated and intersected by taking into consideration relevant comparisons, which led to the observation of prevailing effects of the space environment over those induced by nanoceria. In space, upregulation of transcription was slightly preponderant over downregulation, implying involvement of intracellular compartments, with the majority of DEGs consistently over- or under-expressed whenever present. Cosmic radiations regulated a higher number of DEGs than microgravity and seemed to promote increased cellular catabolism. By taking into consideration space physical stressors alone, microgravity and cosmic radiations appeared to have opposite effects at transcriptional levels despite partial sharing of molecular pathways. Interestingly, gene ontology denoted some enrichment in terms related to vision, when only effects of radiations were assessed. The transcriptional regulation of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 in space-relevant samples suggests perturbation of the intracellular redox homeostasis, and leaves open opportunities for antioxidant treatment for oxidative stress reduction in harsh environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Graziana Genchi
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Smart Bio-Interfaces, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera (Pisa), Italy
| | - Andrea Degl’Innocenti
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Smart Bio-Interfaces, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera (Pisa), Italy
| | - Chiara Martinelli
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Smart Bio-Interfaces, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera (Pisa), Italy
| | - Matteo Battaglini
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Smart Bio-Interfaces, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera (Pisa), Italy
| | - Daniele De Pasquale
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Smart Bio-Interfaces, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera (Pisa), Italy
- Scuola
Superiore Sant’Anna, The BioRobotics
Institute, Viale Rinaldo
Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera (Pisa), Italy
| | - Mirko Prato
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Materials Characterization, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Sergio Marras
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Materials Characterization, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Giammarino Pugliese
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Nanochemistry, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Nanochemistry, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Michele Balsamo
- Kayser
Italia S.r.l., Via di
Popogna 501, 57128 Livorno, Italy
| | - Valfredo Zolesi
- Kayser
Italia S.r.l., Via di
Popogna 501, 57128 Livorno, Italy
| | - Gianni Ciofani
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Smart Bio-Interfaces, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera (Pisa), Italy
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45
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Montesinos CA, Khalid R, Cristea O, Greenberger JS, Epperly MW, Lemon JA, Boreham DR, Popov D, Gorthi G, Ramkumar N, Jones JA. Space Radiation Protection Countermeasures in Microgravity and Planetary Exploration. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11080829. [PMID: 34440577 PMCID: PMC8398261 DOI: 10.3390/life11080829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Space radiation is one of the principal environmental factors limiting the human tolerance for space travel, and therefore a primary risk in need of mitigation strategies to enable crewed exploration of the solar system. METHODS We summarize the current state of knowledge regarding potential means to reduce the biological effects of space radiation. New countermeasure strategies for exploration-class missions are proposed, based on recent advances in nutrition, pharmacologic, and immune science. RESULTS Radiation protection can be categorized into (1) exposure-limiting: shielding and mission duration; (2) countermeasures: radioprotectors, radiomodulators, radiomitigators, and immune-modulation, and; (3) treatment and supportive care for the effects of radiation. Vehicle and mission design can augment the overall exposure. Testing in terrestrial laboratories and earth-based exposure facilities, as well as on the International Space Station (ISS), has demonstrated that dietary and pharmacologic countermeasures can be safe and effective. Immune system modulators are less robustly tested but show promise. Therapies for radiation prodromal syndrome may include pharmacologic agents; and autologous marrow for acute radiation syndrome (ARS). CONCLUSIONS Current radiation protection technology is not yet optimized, but nevertheless offers substantial protection to crews based on Lunar or Mars design reference missions. With additional research and human testing, the space radiation risk can be further mitigated to allow for long-duration exploration of the solar system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Radina Khalid
- School of Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA;
| | - Octav Cristea
- Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Joel S. Greenberger
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pittsburg Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (J.S.G.); (M.W.E.)
| | - Michael W. Epperly
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pittsburg Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (J.S.G.); (M.W.E.)
| | - Jennifer A. Lemon
- Medical Sciences Division, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (J.A.L.); (D.R.B.)
| | - Douglas R. Boreham
- Medical Sciences Division, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada; (J.A.L.); (D.R.B.)
| | - Dmitri Popov
- Advanced Medical Technologies and Systems Inc., Richmond Hill, ON L4B 1N1, Canada;
| | | | - Nandita Ramkumar
- Center for Space Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Jeffrey A. Jones
- Center for Space Medicine, Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence:
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46
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Nakajima S, Nagata M, Ikehata A. Mechanism for enhancing the growth of mung bean seedlings under simulated microgravity. NPJ Microgravity 2021; 7:26. [PMID: 34267213 PMCID: PMC8282859 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-021-00156-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
To elucidate a mechanism for enhancing mung bean seedlings’ growth under microgravity conditions, we measured growth, gene expression, and enzyme activity under clinorotation (20 rpm), and compared data obtained to those grown under normal gravity conditions (control). An increase in fresh weight, water content, and lengths were observed in the clinostat seedlings, compared to those of the control seedlings. Real-time PCR showed that aquaporin expression and the amylase gene were upregulated under clinorotation. Additionally, seedlings under clinorotation exhibited a significantly higher amylase activity. Near-infrared image showed that there was no restriction of water evaporation from the seedlings under clinorotation. Therefore, these results indicate that simulated microgravity could induce water uptake, resulting in enhanced amylase activity and seedling growth. Upregulated aquaporin expression could be the first trigger for enhanced growth under clinorotation. We speculated that the seedlings under clinorotation do not use energy against gravitational force and consumed surplus energy for enhanced growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shusaku Nakajima
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan. .,Food Research Institute, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Japan.
| | - Masayasu Nagata
- Food Research Institute, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Akifumi Ikehata
- Food Research Institute, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Japan
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47
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Stahl-Rommel S, Li D, Sung M, Li R, Vijayakumar A, Atabay KD, Bushkin GG, Castro CL, Foley KD, Copeland DS, Castro-Wallace SL, Alvarez Saavedra E, Gleason EJ, Kraves S. A CRISPR-based assay for the study of eukaryotic DNA repair onboard the International Space Station. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253403. [PMID: 34191829 PMCID: PMC8244870 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
As we explore beyond Earth, astronauts may be at risk for harmful DNA damage caused by ionizing radiation. Double-strand breaks are a type of DNA damage that can be repaired by two major cellular pathways: non-homologous end joining, during which insertions or deletions may be added at the break site, and homologous recombination, in which the DNA sequence often remains unchanged. Previous work suggests that space conditions may impact the choice of DNA repair pathway, potentially compounding the risks of increased radiation exposure during space travel. However, our understanding of this problem has been limited by technical and safety concerns, which have prevented integral study of the DNA repair process in space. The CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system offers a model for the safe and targeted generation of double-strand breaks in eukaryotes. Here we describe a CRISPR-based assay for DNA break induction and assessment of double-strand break repair pathway choice entirely in space. As necessary steps in this process, we describe the first successful genetic transformation and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in space. These milestones represent a significant expansion of the molecular biology toolkit onboard the International Space Station.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Li
- Woodbury High School, Woodbury, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Michelle Sung
- Mounds View High School, Arden Hills, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Rebecca Li
- Mounds View High School, Arden Hills, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Aarthi Vijayakumar
- Mounds View High School, Arden Hills, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Kutay Deniz Atabay
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - G. Guy Bushkin
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | - Kevin D. Foley
- Boeing Defense, Space & Security, Berkley, Michigan, United States of America
| | - D. Scott Copeland
- Boeing Defense, Space & Security, Berkley, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Sarah L. Castro-Wallace
- Biomedical Research and Environmental Sciences Division, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | | | - Emily J. Gleason
- MiniPCR Bio, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail: (EJG); (SK)
| | - Sebastian Kraves
- MiniPCR Bio, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail: (EJG); (SK)
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Rad-Bio-App: a discovery environment for biologists to explore spaceflight-related radiation exposures. NPJ Microgravity 2021; 7:15. [PMID: 33976230 PMCID: PMC8113475 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-021-00143-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to microgravity, spaceflight simultaneously exposes biology to a suite of other stimuli. For example, in space, organisms experience ionizing radiation environments that significantly differ in both quality and quantity from those normally experienced on Earth. However, data on radiation exposure during space missions is often complex to access and to understand, limiting progress towards defining how radiation affects organisms against the unique background of spaceflight. To help address this challenge, we have developed the Rad-Bio-App. This web-accessible database imports radiation metadata from experiments archived in NASA’s GeneLab data repository, and then allows the user to explore these experiments both in the context of their radiation exposure and through their other metadata and results. Rad-Bio-App provides an easy-to-use, graphically-driven environment to enable both radiation biologists and non-specialist researchers to visualize, and understand the impact of ionizing radiation on various biological systems in the context of spaceflight.
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Mehner C, Krishnan S, Chou J, Freeman ML, Freeman WD, Patel T, Turnbull MT. Real versus simulated galactic cosmic radiation for investigating cancer risk in the hematopoietic system - are we comparing apples to apples? LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2021; 29:8-14. [PMID: 33888292 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Deep space exploration missions need strategies to mitigate the potentially harmful exposure to galactic cosmic radiation. This form of radiation can cause significant damage to biological systems and organisms, which include radiation-induced carcinogenesis in the hematopoietic system. Ongoing studies investigate these effects using cell- and animal-based studies in low earth orbit. The logistic challenges and costs involved with sending biological specimens to space have prompted the development of surrogate ground-based radiation experiments to study the mechanisms of biological injury and cancer risk. However, simulating galactic cosmic radiation has proven difficult and current studies are only partially succeeding at replicating the complexity of this radiation and its downstream injury pathways. Accurate simulation of chronic, low dose galactic radiation will improve our ability to test mitigation strategies such as drug development and improved shielding materials that could be crucial and essential for successful space exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Mehner
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, FL, United States
| | - Sunil Krishnan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, FL, United States
| | - Joshua Chou
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - William D Freeman
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, FL, United States; Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, FL, United States; Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, FL, United States
| | - Tushar Patel
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, FL, United States; Department of Transplantation, Mayo Clinic, FL, United States.
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50
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Microgravity, Stem Cells, and Cancer: A New Hope for Cancer Treatment. Stem Cells Int 2021; 2021:5566872. [PMID: 34007284 PMCID: PMC8102114 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5566872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans are integrated with the environment where they live. Gravitational force plays an important role in shaping the universe, lives, and even cellular biological processes. Research in the last 40 years has shown how exposure to microgravity changes biological processes. Microgravity has been shown to have significant effects on cellular proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, migration, and gene expression, specifically in tumor cells, and these effects may also exist in stem and cancer stem cells. It has also been shown that microgravity changes the effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. Although studies have been carried out in a simulated microgravity environment in cell culture lines, there are few animal experiments or true microgravity studies. Cancer remains one of the most significant problems worldwide. Despite advances in medical science, no definitive strategies have been found for the prevention of cancer formation or to inform treatment. Thus, the microgravity environment is a potential new therapeutic strategy for future cancer treatment. This review will focus on current knowledge on the impact of the microgravity environment on cancer cells, stem cells, and the biological behavior of cancer stem cells.
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