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Kim J, Tierney BT, Overbey EG, Dantas E, Fuentealba M, Park J, Narayanan SA, Wu F, Najjar D, Chin CR, Meydan C, Loy C, Mathyk B, Klotz R, Ortiz V, Nguyen K, Ryon KA, Damle N, Houerbi N, Patras LI, Schanzer N, Hutchinson GA, Foox J, Bhattacharya C, Mackay M, Afshin EE, Hirschberg JW, Kleinman AS, Schmidt JC, Schmidt CM, Schmidt MA, Beheshti A, Matei I, Lyden D, Mullane S, Asadi A, Lenz JS, Mzava O, Yu M, Ganesan S, De Vlaminck I, Melnick AM, Barisic D, Winer DA, Zwart SR, Crucian BE, Smith SM, Mateus J, Furman D, Mason CE. Single-cell multi-ome and immune profiles of the Inspiration4 crew reveal conserved, cell-type, and sex-specific responses to spaceflight. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4954. [PMID: 38862516 PMCID: PMC11166952 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49211-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Spaceflight induces an immune response in astronauts. To better characterize this effect, we generated single-cell, multi-ome, cell-free RNA (cfRNA), biochemical, and hematology data for the SpaceX Inspiration4 (I4) mission crew. We found that 18 cytokines/chemokines related to inflammation, aging, and muscle homeostasis changed after spaceflight. In I4 single-cell multi-omics data, we identified a "spaceflight signature" of gene expression characterized by enrichment in oxidative phosphorylation, UV response, immune function, and TCF21 pathways. We confirmed the presence of this signature in independent datasets, including the NASA Twins Study, the I4 skin spatial transcriptomics, and 817 NASA GeneLab mouse transcriptomes. Finally, we observed that (1) T cells showed an up-regulation of FOXP3, (2) MHC class I genes exhibited long-term suppression, and (3) infection-related immune pathways were associated with microbiome shifts. In summary, this study reveals conserved and distinct immune disruptions occurring and details a roadmap for potential countermeasures to preserve astronaut health.
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Affiliation(s)
- JangKeun Kim
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 100221, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Braden T Tierney
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 100221, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Eliah G Overbey
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 100221, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
- Center for STEM, University of Austin, Austin, TX, USA
- BioAstra, Inc, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ezequiel Dantas
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Matias Fuentealba
- Buck Artificial Intelligence Platform, Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, 94945, USA
| | - Jiwoon Park
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 100221, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - S Anand Narayanan
- Department of Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Fei Wu
- Buck Artificial Intelligence Platform, Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, 94945, USA
| | - Deena Najjar
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 100221, USA
| | - Christopher R Chin
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
- Tri-Institutional Biology and Medicine Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Cem Meydan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 100221, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Conor Loy
- Cornell University, Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
| | - Begum Mathyk
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Remi Klotz
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Veronica Ortiz
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Khiem Nguyen
- Buck Artificial Intelligence Platform, Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, 94945, USA
| | - Krista A Ryon
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 100221, USA
| | - Namita Damle
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 100221, USA
| | - Nadia Houerbi
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 100221, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Laura I Patras
- Children's Cancer and Blood Foundation Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Drukier Institute for Children's Health, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Center of Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Nathan Schanzer
- School of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, 10595, USA
| | - Gwyneth A Hutchinson
- NASA Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Jonathan Foox
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 100221, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Chandrima Bhattacharya
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
- Tri-Institutional Biology and Medicine Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Matthew Mackay
- Tri-Institutional Biology and Medicine Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Evan E Afshin
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 100221, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Jeremy Wain Hirschberg
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 100221, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Ashley S Kleinman
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 100221, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Julian C Schmidt
- Sovaris Aerospace, Boulder, CO, USA
- Advanced Pattern Analysis & Human Performance Group, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Caleb M Schmidt
- Sovaris Aerospace, Boulder, CO, USA
- Advanced Pattern Analysis & Human Performance Group, Boulder, CO, USA
- Department of Systems Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Michael A Schmidt
- Sovaris Aerospace, Boulder, CO, USA
- Advanced Pattern Analysis & Human Performance Group, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Afshin Beheshti
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
| | - Irina Matei
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Children's Cancer and Blood Foundation Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Drukier Institute for Children's Health, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - David Lyden
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Children's Cancer and Blood Foundation Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Drukier Institute for Children's Health, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sean Mullane
- Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX), Hawthorne, CA, USA
| | - Amran Asadi
- Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX), Hawthorne, CA, USA
| | - Joan S Lenz
- Cornell University, Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
| | - Omary Mzava
- Cornell University, Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
| | - Min Yu
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Saravanan Ganesan
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Iwijn De Vlaminck
- Cornell University, Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
| | - Ari M Melnick
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Darko Barisic
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel A Winer
- Buck Artificial Intelligence Platform, Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, 94945, USA
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
- Division of Cellular & Molecular Biology, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute (TGHRI), University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Sara R Zwart
- University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Brian E Crucian
- Biomedical Research and Environmental Sciences Division, NASA Johnson Space Center, Human Health and Performance Directorate, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, TX, 77058, USA
| | - Scott M Smith
- Biomedical Research and Environmental Sciences Division, NASA Johnson Space Center, Human Health and Performance Directorate, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, TX, 77058, USA
| | - Jaime Mateus
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
| | - David Furman
- Buck Artificial Intelligence Platform, Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, 94945, USA.
- Stanford 1000 Immunomes Project, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94306, USA.
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional (IIMT), Universidad Austral, CONICET, Pilar, Argentina.
| | - Christopher E Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 100221, USA.
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA.
- Tri-Institutional Biology and Medicine Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA.
- The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA.
- WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA.
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2
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Jogdand A, Landolina M, Chen Y. Organs in orbit: how tissue chip technology benefits from microgravity, a perspective. FRONTIERS IN LAB ON A CHIP TECHNOLOGIES 2024; 3:1356688. [PMID: 38915901 PMCID: PMC11195915 DOI: 10.3389/frlct.2024.1356688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Tissue chips have become one of the most potent research tools in the biomedical field. In contrast to conventional research methods, such as 2D cell culture and animal models, tissue chips more directly represent human physiological systems. This allows researchers to study therapeutic outcomes to a high degree of similarity to actual human subjects. Additionally, as rocket technology has advanced and become more accessible, researchers are using the unique properties offered by microgravity to meet specific challenges of modeling tissues on Earth; these include large organoids with sophisticated structures and models to better study aging and disease. This perspective explores the manufacturing and research applications of microgravity tissue chip technology, specifically investigating the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and nervous systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Jogdand
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Maxwell Landolina
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Yupeng Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
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3
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Perdyan A, Jąkalski M, Horbacz M, Beheshti A, Mieczkowski J. Chromosomal positioning and epigenetic architecture influence DNA methylation patterns triggered by galactic cosmic radiation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1324. [PMID: 38225252 PMCID: PMC10789781 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51756-7] [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: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite surging interest in space travel in recent decades, the impacts of prolonged, elevated exposure to galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) on human health remain poorly understood. This form of ionizing radiation causes significant changes to biological systems including damage to DNA structure by altering epigenetic phenotype with emphasis on DNA methylation. Building on previous work by Kennedy et al. (Sci Rep 8(1): 6709. 10.1038/S41598-018-24755-8), we evaluated spatial DNA methylation patterns triggered by high-LET (56Fe, 28Si) and low-LET (X-ray) radiation and the influence of chromosome positioning and epigenetic architecture in distinct radial layers of cell nucleus. Next, we validated our results using gene expression data of mice irradiated with simulated GCR and JAXA astronauts. We showed that primarily 56Fe induces a persistent DNA methylation increase whereas 28Si and X-ray induce a decrease DNA methylation which is not persistent with time. Moreover, we highlighted the role of nuclear chromatin architecture in cell response to external radiation. In summary, our study provides novel insights towards epigenetic and transcriptomic response as well as chromatin multidimensional structure influence on galactic cosmic radiation damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Perdyan
- International Research Agenda 3P - Medicine Laboratory, Medical University of Gdansk, Marii Sklodowskiej Curie 3a, 80-210, Gdansk, Poland
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Marcin Jąkalski
- International Research Agenda 3P - Medicine Laboratory, Medical University of Gdansk, Marii Sklodowskiej Curie 3a, 80-210, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Monika Horbacz
- International Research Agenda 3P - Medicine Laboratory, Medical University of Gdansk, Marii Sklodowskiej Curie 3a, 80-210, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Afshin Beheshti
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jakub Mieczkowski
- International Research Agenda 3P - Medicine Laboratory, Medical University of Gdansk, Marii Sklodowskiej Curie 3a, 80-210, Gdansk, Poland.
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4
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Caddy HT, Kelsey LJ, Parker LP, Green DJ, Doyle BJ. Modelling large scale artery haemodynamics from the heart to the eye in response to simulated microgravity. NPJ Microgravity 2024; 10:7. [PMID: 38218868 PMCID: PMC10787773 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-024-00348-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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024] Open
Abstract
We investigated variations in haemodynamics in response to simulated microgravity across a semi-subject-specific three-dimensional (3D) continuous arterial network connecting the heart to the eye using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Using this model we simulated pulsatile blood flow in an upright Earth gravity case and a simulated microgravity case. Under simulated microgravity, regional time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS) increased and oscillatory shear index (OSI) decreased in upper body arteries, whilst the opposite was observed in the lower body. Between cases, uniform changes in TAWSS and OSI were found in the retina across diameters. This work demonstrates that 3D CFD simulations can be performed across continuously connected networks of small and large arteries. Simulated results exhibited similarities to low dimensional spaceflight simulations and measured data-specifically that blood flow and shear stress decrease towards the lower limbs and increase towards the cerebrovasculature and eyes in response to simulated microgravity, relative to an upright position in Earth gravity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison T Caddy
- Vascular Engineering Laboratory, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Australia and the UWA Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sport Sciences), The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Lachlan J Kelsey
- Vascular Engineering Laboratory, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Australia and the UWA Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- School of Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Louis P Parker
- FLOW, Department of Engineering Mechanics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Daniel J Green
- School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sport Sciences), The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Barry J Doyle
- Vascular Engineering Laboratory, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Australia and the UWA Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
- School of Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
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Zeineddine Y, Friedman MA, Buettmann EG, Abraham LB, Hoppock GA, Donahue HJ. Genetic diversity modulates the physical and transcriptomic response of skeletal muscle to simulated microgravity in male mice. NPJ Microgravity 2023; 9:86. [PMID: 38040743 PMCID: PMC10692100 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00334-8] [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: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Developments in long-term space exploration necessitate advancements in countermeasures against microgravity-induced skeletal muscle loss. Astronaut data shows considerable variation in muscle loss in response to microgravity. Previous experiments suggest that genetic background influences the skeletal muscle response to unloading, but no in-depth analysis of genetic expression has been performed. Here, we placed eight, male, inbred founder strains of the diversity outbred mice (129S1/SvImJ, A/J, C57BL/6J, CAST/EiJ, NOD/ShiLtJ, NZO/HILtJ, PWK/PhJ, and WSB/EiJ) in simulated microgravity (SM) via hindlimb unloading for three weeks. Body weight, muscle morphology, muscle strength, protein synthesis marker expression, and RNA expression were collected. A/J and CAST/EiJ mice were most susceptible to SM-induced muscle loss, whereas NOD/ShiLtJ mice were the most protected. In response to SM, A/J and CAST/EiJ mice experienced reductions in body weight, muscle mass, muscle volume, and muscle cross-sectional area. A/J mice had the highest number of differentially expressed genes (68) and associated gene ontologies (328). Downregulation of immunological gene ontologies and genes encoding anabolic immune factors suggest that immune dysregulation contributes to the response of A/J mice to SM. Several muscle properties showed significant interactions between SM and mouse strain and a high degree of heritability. These data imply that genetic background plays a role in the degree of muscle loss in SM and that more individualized programs should be developed for astronauts to protect their skeletal muscles against microgravity on long-term missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmina Zeineddine
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Michael A Friedman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Evan G Buettmann
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Lovell B Abraham
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Gabriel A Hoppock
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Henry J Donahue
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
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Ino Y, Ohira T, Kumagai K, Nakai Y, Akiyama T, Moriyama K, Takeda Y, Saito T, Ryo A, Inaba Y, Hirano H, Kimura Y. Identification of mouse soleus muscle proteins altered in response to changes in gravity loading. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15768. [PMID: 37737267 PMCID: PMC10517164 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42875-8] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Gravity-dependent physical processes strongly affect the ability of elderly people to maintain musculoskeletal health by reducing muscle atrophy and increasing bone mineral density, thereby increasing quality of life. A need therefore exists to identify molecules in the musculoskeletal system that are responsive to gravitational loading and to establish an objective indicator for the maintenance of healthy musculoskeletal systems. Here, we performed an integrated assessment of the results of soleus muscle proteomic analyses in three model mouse experiments under different gravity environments (hypergravity, hindlimb unloading, and spaceflight). Myl6b, Gpd1, Fbp2, Pvalb, and Actn3 were shown to be gravity-responsive muscle proteins, and alterations in the levels of these proteins indicated changes in muscle fiber type to slow-twitch type due to gravity loading. In addition, immunoblotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays revealed that Pvalb levels in the sera of hindlimb-unloaded mice and osteoporosis patients were higher than in control subjects, suggesting that Pvalb levels might be useful to objectively evaluate soleus muscle atrophy and bone loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Ino
- Advanced Medical Research Center, Yokohama City University, Fukuura 3-9, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Takashi Ohira
- Advanced Medical Research Center, Yokohama City University, Fukuura 3-9, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan.
- Department of Physiology and Regenerative Medicine, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Ohno-Higashi 377-2, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Ken Kumagai
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yusuke Nakai
- Advanced Medical Research Center, Yokohama City University, Fukuura 3-9, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Tomoko Akiyama
- Advanced Medical Research Center, Yokohama City University, Fukuura 3-9, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Kayano Moriyama
- Advanced Medical Research Center, Yokohama City University, Fukuura 3-9, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Yuriko Takeda
- Department of Biostatistics, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | | | - Akihide Ryo
- Advanced Medical Research Center, Yokohama City University, Fukuura 3-9, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Yutaka Inaba
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hisashi Hirano
- Advanced Medical Research Center, Yokohama City University, Fukuura 3-9, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Yayoi Kimura
- Advanced Medical Research Center, Yokohama City University, Fukuura 3-9, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan.
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7
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Baranowski RW, Braun JL, Hockey BL, Yumol JL, Geromella MS, Watson CJ, Kurgan N, Messner HN, Whitley KC, MacNeil AJ, Gauquelin-Koch G, Bertile F, Gittings W, Vandenboom R, Ward WE, Fajardo VA. Toward countering muscle and bone loss with spaceflight: GSK3 as a potential target. iScience 2023; 26:107047. [PMID: 37360691 PMCID: PMC10285634 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We examined the effects of ∼30 days of spaceflight on glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) content and inhibitory serine phosphorylation in murine muscle and bone samples from four separate missions (BION-M1, rodent research [RR]1, RR9, and RR18). Spaceflight reduced GSK3β content across all missions, whereas its serine phosphorylation was elevated with RR18 and BION-M1. The reduction in GSK3β was linked to the reduction in type IIA fibers commonly observed with spaceflight as these fibers are particularly enriched with GSK3. We then tested the effects of inhibiting GSK3 before this fiber type shift, and we demonstrate that muscle-specific Gsk3 knockdown increased muscle mass, preserved muscle strength, and promoted the oxidative fiber type with Earth-based hindlimb unloading. In bone, GSK3 activation was enhanced after spaceflight; and strikingly, muscle-specific Gsk3 deletion increased bone mineral density in response to hindlimb unloading. Thus, future studies should test the effects of GSK3 inhibition during spaceflight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan W. Baranowski
- Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
- Centre for Bone and Muscle Health, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Jessica L. Braun
- Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
- Centre for Bone and Muscle Health, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Briana L. Hockey
- Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
- Centre for Bone and Muscle Health, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Jenalyn L. Yumol
- Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
- Centre for Bone and Muscle Health, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Mia S. Geromella
- Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
- Centre for Bone and Muscle Health, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Colton J.F. Watson
- Department of Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Nigel Kurgan
- Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
- Centre for Bone and Muscle Health, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Holt N. Messner
- Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
- Centre for Bone and Muscle Health, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Kennedy C. Whitley
- Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
- Centre for Bone and Muscle Health, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Adam J. MacNeil
- Department of Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | | | - Fabrice Bertile
- Hubert Curien Pluridisciplinary Institute (IPHC), CNRS, Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France
| | - William Gittings
- Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
- Centre for Bone and Muscle Health, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Rene Vandenboom
- Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
- Centre for Bone and Muscle Health, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Wendy E. Ward
- Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
- Centre for Bone and Muscle Health, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Val A. Fajardo
- Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
- Centre for Bone and Muscle Health, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
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8
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Scott A, Willis CR, Muratani M, Higashitani A, Etheridge T, Szewczyk NJ, Deane CS. Caenorhabditis elegans in microgravity: An omics perspective. iScience 2023; 26:107189. [PMID: 37456835 PMCID: PMC10344948 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The application of omics to study Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) in the context of spaceflight is increasing, illuminating the wide-ranging biological impacts of spaceflight on physiology. In this review, we highlight the application of omics, including transcriptomics, genomics, proteomics, multi-omics, and integrated omics in the study of spaceflown C. elegans, and discuss the impact, use, and future direction of this branch of research. We highlight the variety of molecular alterations that occur in response to spaceflight, most notably changes in metabolic and neuromuscular gene regulation. These transcriptional features are reproducible and evident across many spaceflown species (e.g., mice and astronauts), supporting the use of C. elegans as a model organism to study spaceflight physiology with translational capital. Integrating tissue-specific, spatial, and multi-omics approaches, which quantitatively link molecular responses to phenotypic adaptations, will facilitate the identification of candidate regulatory molecules for therapeutic intervention and thus represents the next frontiers in C. elegans space omics research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Scott
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Craig R.G. Willis
- School of Chemistry and Biosciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - Masafumi Muratani
- Transborder Medical Research Center and Department of Genome Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | | | - Timothy Etheridge
- Department of Sport and Health Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Nathaniel J. Szewczyk
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
- Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Colleen S. Deane
- Department of Sport and Health Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
- Human Development & Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
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9
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Sadaki S, Fujita R, Hayashi T, Nakamura A, Okamura Y, Fuseya S, Hamada M, Warabi E, Kuno A, Ishii A, Muratani M, Okada R, Shiba D, Kudo T, Takeda S, Takahashi S. Large Maf transcription factor family is a major regulator of fast type IIb myofiber determination. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112289. [PMID: 36952339 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Myofibers are broadly characterized as fatigue-resistant slow-twitch (type I) fibers and rapidly fatiguing fast-twitch (type IIa/IIx/IIb) fibers. However, the molecular regulation of myofiber type is not entirely understood; particularly, information on regulators of fast-twitch muscle is scarce. Here, we demonstrate that the large Maf transcription factor family dictates fast type IIb myofiber specification in mice. Remarkably, the ablation of three large Mafs leads to the drastic loss of type IIb myofibers, resulting in enhanced endurance capacity and the reduction of muscle force. Conversely, the overexpression of each large Maf in the type I soleus muscle induces type IIb myofibers. Mechanistically, a large Maf directly binds to the Maf recognition element on the promoter of myosin heavy chain 4, which encodes the type IIb myosin heavy chain, driving its expression. This work identifies the large Maf transcription factor family as a major regulator for fast type IIb muscle determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunya Sadaki
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan; Ph.D. Program in Humanics, School of Integrative and Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Ryo Fujita
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Transborder Medical Research Center, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan.
| | - Takuto Hayashi
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan; Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Ayano Nakamura
- College of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Yui Okamura
- College of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Sayaka Fuseya
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Michito Hamada
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Eiji Warabi
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Akihiro Kuno
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Akiko Ishii
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Masafumi Muratani
- Department of Genome Biology, Transborder Medical Research Center, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Risa Okada
- JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8505, Japan
| | - Dai Shiba
- JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8505, Japan
| | - Takashi Kudo
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Shin'ichi Takeda
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawa-higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
| | - Satoru Takahashi
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan.
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10
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Hayashi T, Fujita R, Okada R, Hamada M, Suzuki R, Fuseya S, Leckey J, Kanai M, Inoue Y, Sadaki S, Nakamura A, Okamura Y, Abe C, Morita H, Aiba T, Senkoji T, Shimomura M, Okada M, Kamimura D, Yumoto A, Muratani M, Kudo T, Shiba D, Takahashi S. Lunar gravity prevents skeletal muscle atrophy but not myofiber type shift in mice. Commun Biol 2023; 6:424. [PMID: 37085700 PMCID: PMC10121599 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04769-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle is sensitive to gravitational alterations. We recently developed a multiple artificial-gravity research system (MARS), which can generate gravity ranging from microgravity to Earth gravity (1 g) in space. Using the MARS, we studied the effects of three different gravitational levels (microgravity, lunar gravity [1/6 g], and 1 g) on the skeletal muscle mass and myofiber constitution in mice. All mice survived and returned to Earth, and skeletal muscle was collected two days after landing. We observed that microgravity-induced soleus muscle atrophy was prevented by lunar gravity. However, lunar gravity failed to prevent the slow-to-fast myofiber transition in the soleus muscle in space. These results suggest that lunar gravity is enough to maintain proteostasis, but a greater gravitational force is required to prevent the myofiber type transition. Our study proposes that different gravitational thresholds may be required for skeletal muscle adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuto Hayashi
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
- Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Ryo Fujita
- Divsion of Regenerative Medicine, Transborder Medical Research Center, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Risa Okada
- JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Ibaraki, 305-8505, Japan
| | - Michito Hamada
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
- Mouse Epigenetics Project, ISS/Kibo experiment, JAXA, Ibaraki, 305-8505, Japan
| | - Riku Suzuki
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
- Ph.D. Program in Human Biology, School of Integrative and Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Sayaka Fuseya
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - James Leckey
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Maho Kanai
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
- Ph.D. Program in Human Biology, School of Integrative and Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Yuri Inoue
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
- Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Shunya Sadaki
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
- Ph.D. Program in Humanics, School of Integrative and Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Ayano Nakamura
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
- College of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Yui Okamura
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
- College of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Chikara Abe
- Department of Physiology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan
| | - Hironobu Morita
- Mouse Epigenetics Project, ISS/Kibo experiment, JAXA, Ibaraki, 305-8505, Japan
- Department of Nutrition Management, Tokai Gakuin University, Gifu, 504-8511, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Aiba
- JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Ibaraki, 305-8505, Japan
| | - Teruhiro Senkoji
- JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Ibaraki, 305-8505, Japan
| | - Michihiko Shimomura
- JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Ibaraki, 305-8505, Japan
- Mouse Epigenetics Project, ISS/Kibo experiment, JAXA, Ibaraki, 305-8505, Japan
| | - Maki Okada
- JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Ibaraki, 305-8505, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kamimura
- JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Ibaraki, 305-8505, Japan
| | - Akane Yumoto
- JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Ibaraki, 305-8505, Japan
- Mouse Epigenetics Project, ISS/Kibo experiment, JAXA, Ibaraki, 305-8505, Japan
| | - Masafumi Muratani
- Mouse Epigenetics Project, ISS/Kibo experiment, JAXA, Ibaraki, 305-8505, Japan
- Department of Genome Biology, Transborder Medical Research Center, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Takashi Kudo
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan.
- Mouse Epigenetics Project, ISS/Kibo experiment, JAXA, Ibaraki, 305-8505, Japan.
| | - Dai Shiba
- JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Ibaraki, 305-8505, Japan.
- Mouse Epigenetics Project, ISS/Kibo experiment, JAXA, Ibaraki, 305-8505, Japan.
| | - Satoru Takahashi
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan.
- Mouse Epigenetics Project, ISS/Kibo experiment, JAXA, Ibaraki, 305-8505, Japan.
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11
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Corydon TJ, Schulz H, Richter P, Strauch SM, Böhmer M, Ricciardi DA, Wehland M, Krüger M, Erzinger GS, Lebert M, Infanger M, Wise PM, Grimm D. Current Knowledge about the Impact of Microgravity on Gene Regulation. Cells 2023; 12:cells12071043. [PMID: 37048115 PMCID: PMC10093652 DOI: 10.3390/cells12071043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Microgravity (µg) has a massive impact on the health of space explorers. Microgravity changes the proliferation, differentiation, and growth of cells. As crewed spaceflights into deep space are being planned along with the commercialization of space travelling, researchers have focused on gene regulation in cells and organisms exposed to real (r-) and simulated (s-) µg. In particular, cancer and metastasis research benefits from the findings obtained under µg conditions. Gene regulation is a key factor in a cell or an organism’s ability to sustain life and respond to environmental changes. It is a universal process to control the amount, location, and timing in which genes are expressed. In this review, we provide an overview of µg-induced changes in the numerous mechanisms involved in gene regulation, including regulatory proteins, microRNAs, and the chemical modification of DNA. In particular, we discuss the current knowledge about the impact of microgravity on gene regulation in different types of bacteria, protists, fungi, animals, humans, and cells with a focus on the brain, eye, endothelium, immune system, cartilage, muscle, bone, and various cancers as well as recent findings in plants. Importantly, the obtained data clearly imply that µg experiments can support translational medicine on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J. Corydon
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Hoegh Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Blvd. 99, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-28-992-179
| | - Herbert Schulz
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Peter Richter
- Gravitational Biology Group, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sebastian M. Strauch
- Postgraduate Program in Health and Environment, University of Joinville Region, Joinville 89219-710, SC, Brazil
| | - Maik Böhmer
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe Universität, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Dario A. Ricciardi
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe Universität, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Markus Wehland
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Krüger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Gilmar S. Erzinger
- Postgraduate Program in Health and Environment, University of Joinville Region, Joinville 89219-710, SC, Brazil
| | - Michael Lebert
- Gravitational Biology Group, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Manfred Infanger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Petra M. Wise
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, 4650 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
| | - Daniela Grimm
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Hoegh Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
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12
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Homo sapiens—A Species Not Designed for Space Flight: Health Risks in Low Earth Orbit and Beyond, Including Potential Risks When Traveling beyond the Geomagnetic Field of Earth. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13030757. [PMID: 36983912 PMCID: PMC10051707 DOI: 10.3390/life13030757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Homo sapiens and their predecessors evolved in the context of the boundary conditions of Earth, including a 1 g gravity and a geomagnetic field (GMF). These variables, plus others, led to complex organisms that evolved under a defined set of conditions and define how humans will respond to space flight, a circumstance that could not have been anticipated by evolution. Over the past ~60 years, space flight and living in low Earth orbit (LEO) have revealed that astronauts are impacted to varying degrees by such new environments. In addition, it has been noted that astronauts are quite heterogeneous in their response patterns, indicating that such variation is either silent if one remained on Earth, or the heterogeneity unknowingly contributes to disease development during aging or in response to insults. With the planned mission to deep space, humans will now be exposed to further risks from radiation when traveling beyond the influence of the GMF, as well as other potential risks that are associated with the actual loss of the GMF on the astronauts, their microbiomes, and growing food sources. Experimental studies with model systems have revealed that hypogravity conditions can influence a variety biological and physiological systems, and thus the loss of the GMF may have unanticipated consequences to astronauts’ systems, such as those that are electrical in nature (i.e., the cardiovascular system and central neural systems). As astronauts have been shown to be heterogeneous in their responses to LEO, they may require personalized countermeasures, while others may not be good candidates for deep-space missions if effective countermeasures cannot be developed for long-duration missions. This review will discuss several of the physiological and neural systems that are affected and how the emerging variables may influence astronaut health and functioning.
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Le H, Rai V, Agrawal DK. Cholesterol: An Important Determinant of Muscle Atrophy in Astronauts. JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOMEDICINE 2023; 6:67-79. [PMID: 37006714 PMCID: PMC10062007 DOI: 10.26502/jbb.2642-91280072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Since cholesterol is not routinely measured in astronauts before and after their return from space, there is no data on the role of blood cholesterol level in muscle atrophy and microgravity. Since the first moon landing, aerospace medicine became outdated and has not pushed boundaries like its rocket engineering counterpart. Since the 2019 astronaut twin study, there has yet to be another scientific breakthrough for aerospace medicine. Microgravity-induced muscle atrophy is the most known consequence of spaceflight. Yet, so far, there is no therapeutic solution to prevent it or any real efforts in understanding it on a cellular or molecular level. The most obvious reason to this unprecedented level of research is due to the small cohort of astronauts. With the establishment of private space industries and exponential recruitment of astronauts, there is more reason to push forward spaceflight-related health guidelines and ensure the safety of the brave humans who risk their lives for the progression of mankind. Spaceflight is considered the most challenging job and the failure to prevent injury or harm should be considered reckless negligence by the institutions that actively prevented sophistication of aerospace medicine. In this critical review, role of cholesterol is analyzed across the NASA-established parameters of microgravity-induced muscle atrophy with a focus on potential therapeutic targets for research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoangvi Le
- Department of Translational Research, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California 91766, USA
| | - Vikrant Rai
- Department of Translational Research, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California 91766, USA
| | - Devendra K Agrawal
- Department of Translational Research, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California 91766, USA
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14
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Yoshikawa M, Ishikawa C, Li H, Kudo T, Shiba D, Shirakawa M, Murtani M, Takahashi S, Aizawa S, Shiga T. Comparing effects of microgravity and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the mouse ventral lumbar spinal cord. Mol Cell Neurosci 2022; 121:103745. [PMID: 35660087 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2022.103745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Microgravity (MG) exposure and motor neuron diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), lead to motor deficits, including muscle atrophy and loss of neuronal activity. Abnormalities in motor neurons and muscles caused by MG exposure can be recovered by subsequent ground exercise. In contrast, the degeneration that occurs in ALS is irreversible. A common phenotype between MG exposure and ALS pathology is motor system abnormality, but the causes may be different. In this study, to elucidate the motor system that is affected by each condition, we investigated the effects of MG and the human SOD1 ALS mutation on gene expression in various cell types of the mouse ventral lumbar spinal cord, which is rich in motor neurons innervating the lower limb. To identify cell types affected by MG or ALS pathogenesis, we analyzed differentially expressed genes with known cell-type markers, which were determined from previous single-cell studies of the spinal cord in MG-exposed and SOD1G93A mice, an ALS mouse model. Differentially expressed genes were observed in MG mice in various spinal cord cell types, including neurons, microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, oligodendrocyte precursor cells, meningeal cells/Schwann cells, and vascular cells. We also examined neuronal populations in the spinal cord. Gene expression in putative excitatory and inhibitory neurons changed more than that in cholinergic motor neurons of the spinal cord in both MG and SOD1G93A mice. Many putative neuron types, especially visceral motor neurons, and axon initial segments (AIS) were affected in MG mice. In contrast, the effect on neurons and AIS in SOD1G93A mice was slight at P30 but progressed with aging. Interestingly, changes in dopaminergic system-related genes were specifically altered in the spinal cord of MG mice. These results indicate that MG and ALS pathology in various cell types contribute to motor neuron degeneration. Furthermore, there were more alterations in neurons in MG-exposed mice than in SOD1G93A mice. A large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in MG mice represent more than SOD1G93A mice with ALS pathology. Elucidation of MG pathogenesis may provide more insight into the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaaki Yoshikawa
- Division of Anatomical Science, Department of Functional Morphology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan.
| | - Chihiro Ishikawa
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Haiyan Li
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Takashi Kudo
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Dai Shiba
- JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, JAXA, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8505, Japan
| | - Masaki Shirakawa
- JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, JAXA, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8505, Japan
| | - Masafumi Murtani
- Department of Genome Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Satoru Takahashi
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Shin Aizawa
- Division of Anatomical Science, Department of Functional Morphology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Takashi Shiga
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan; Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
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15
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Alternative splicing diversifies the skeletal muscle transcriptome during prolonged spaceflight. Skelet Muscle 2022; 12:11. [PMID: 35642060 PMCID: PMC9153194 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-022-00294-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the interest in manned spaceflight increases, so does the requirement to understand the transcriptomic mechanisms that underlay the detrimental physiological adaptations of skeletal muscle to microgravity. While microgravity-induced differential gene expression (DGE) has been extensively investigated, the contribution of differential alternative splicing (DAS) to the plasticity and functional status of the skeletal muscle transcriptome has not been studied in an animal model. Therefore, by evaluating both DGE and DAS across spaceflight, we set out to provide the first comprehensive characterization of the transcriptomic landscape of skeletal muscle during exposure to microgravity. METHODS RNA-sequencing, immunohistochemistry, and morphological analyses were conducted utilizing total RNA and tissue sections isolated from the gastrocnemius and quadriceps muscles of 30-week-old female BALB/c mice exposed to microgravity or ground control conditions for 9 weeks. RESULTS In response to microgravity, the skeletal muscle transcriptome was remodeled via both DGE and DAS. Importantly, while DGE showed variable gene network enrichment, DAS was enriched in structural and functional gene networks of skeletal muscle, resulting in the expression of alternatively spliced transcript isoforms that have been associated with the physiological changes to skeletal muscle in microgravity, including muscle atrophy and altered fiber type function. Finally, RNA-binding proteins, which are required for regulation of pre-mRNA splicing, were themselves differentially spliced but not differentially expressed, an upstream event that is speculated to account for the downstream splicing changes identified in target skeletal muscle genes. CONCLUSIONS Our work serves as the first investigation of coordinate changes in DGE and DAS in large limb muscles across spaceflight. It opens up a new opportunity to understand (i) the molecular mechanisms by which splice variants of skeletal muscle genes regulate the physiological adaptations of skeletal muscle to microgravity and (ii) how small molecule splicing regulator therapies might thwart muscle atrophy and alterations to fiber type function during prolonged spaceflight.
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16
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Responses of neuromuscular properties to unloading and potential countermeasures during space exploration missions. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 136:104617. [PMID: 35283170 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104617] [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: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We reviewed the responses of the neuromuscular properties of mainly the soleus and possible mechanisms. Sensory nervous activity in response to passive shortening and/or active contraction, associated with plantar-flexion or dorsi-flexion of the ankle joints, may play an essential role in the regulation of muscle properties. Passive shortening of the muscle fibers and sarcomeres inhibits the development of tension, electromyogram (EMG), and afferent neurogram. Remodeling of the sarcomeres, which decreases the total sarcomere number in a single muscle fiber causing recovery of the length in each sarcomere, is induced in the soleus following chronic unloading. Although EMG activity and tension development in each sarcomere are increased, the total tension produced by the whole muscle is still less owing to the lower sarcomere number. Therefore, muscle atrophy continues to progress. Moreover, walking or slow running by rear-foot strike landing with the application of greater ground reaction force, which stimulates soleus mobilization, could be an effective countermeasure. Periodic, but not chronic, passive stretching of the soleus may also be effective.
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17
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Schulz H, Strauch SM, Richter P, Wehland M, Krüger M, Sahana J, Corydon TJ, Wise P, Baran R, Lebert M, Grimm D. Latest knowledge about changes in the proteome in microgravity. Expert Rev Proteomics 2022; 19:43-59. [PMID: 35037812 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2022.2030711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION : A long-term stay of humans in space causes a large number of well-known health problems and changes in protists and plants. Deep space exploration will increase the time humans or rodents will spend in microgravity (µg). Moreover, they are exposed to cosmic radiation, hypodynamia, and isolation. OMICS investigations will increase our knowledge of the underlying mechanisms of µg-induced alterations in vivo and in vitro. AREAS COVERED : We summarize the findings over the recent 3 years on µg-induced changes in the proteome of protists, plants, rodent and human cells. Considering the thematic orientation of microgravity-related publications in that time frame, we focus on medicine-associated findings such as the µg-induced antibiotic resistance of bacteria, the myocardial consequences of µg-induced calpain activation and the role of MMP13 in osteoarthritis. All these point to the fact that µg is an extreme stressor that could not be evolutionarily addressed on Earth. EXPERT COMMENTARY : In conclusion, when interpreting µg-experiments, the direct, mostly unspecific stress response, must be distinguished from specific µg-effects. For this reason, recent studies often do not consider single protein findings but place them in the context of protein-protein interactions. This enables an estimation of functional relationships, especially if these are supported by epigenetic and transcriptional data (multi-omics).
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Affiliation(s)
- Herbert Schulz
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Research Group 'Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen' (MARS), Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian M Strauch
- Postgraduate Program in Health and Environment, University of Joinville Region, Rua Paulo Malschitzki, 10 - Zona Industrial Norte, Joinville, SC, CEP 89219-710, Brazil
| | - Peter Richter
- Gravitational Biology Group, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University, Staudtstraße 5, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus Wehland
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Research Group 'Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen' (MARS), Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Krüger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Research Group 'Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen' (MARS), Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | | | - Thomas J Corydon
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.,Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Petra Wise
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Ronni Baran
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Michael Lebert
- Gravitational Biology Group, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University, Staudtstraße 5, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.,Space Biology Unlimited SAS, 24 Cours de l'Intendance, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Daniela Grimm
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Research Group 'Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen' (MARS), Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
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18
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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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19
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Characterizing SERCA Function in Murine Skeletal Muscles after 35-37 Days of Spaceflight. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111764. [PMID: 34769190 PMCID: PMC8584217 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well established that microgravity exposure causes significant muscle weakness and atrophy via muscle unloading. On Earth, muscle unloading leads to a disproportionate loss in muscle force and size with the loss in muscle force occurring at a faster rate. Although the exact mechanisms are unknown, a role for Ca2+ dysregulation has been suggested. The sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) pump actively brings cytosolic Ca2+ into the SR, eliciting muscle relaxation and maintaining low intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i). SERCA dysfunction contributes to elevations in [Ca2+]i, leading to cellular damage, and may contribute to the muscle weakness and atrophy observed with spaceflight. Here, we investigated SERCA function, SERCA regulatory protein content, and reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RONS) protein adduction in murine skeletal muscle after 35–37 days of spaceflight. In male and female soleus muscles, spaceflight led to drastic impairments in Ca2+ uptake despite significant increases in SERCA1a protein content. We attribute this impairment to an increase in RONS production and elevated total protein tyrosine (T) nitration and cysteine (S) nitrosylation. Contrarily, in the tibialis anterior (TA), we observed an enhancement in Ca2+ uptake, which we attribute to a shift towards a faster muscle fiber type (i.e., increased myosin heavy chain IIb and SERCA1a) without elevated total protein T-nitration and S-nitrosylation. Thus, spaceflight affects SERCA function differently between the soleus and TA.
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20
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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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21
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Thiel CS, Vahlensieck C, Bradley T, Tauber S, Lehmann M, Ullrich O. Metabolic Dynamics in Short- and Long-Term Microgravity in Human Primary Macrophages. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22136752. [PMID: 34201720 PMCID: PMC8269311 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Microgravity acts on cellular systems on several levels. Cells of the immune system especially react rapidly to changes in gravity. In this study, we performed a correlative metabolomics analysis on short-term and long-term microgravity effects on primary human macrophages. We could detect an increased amino acid concentration after five minutes of altered gravity, that was inverted after 11 days of microgravity. The amino acids that reacted the most to changes in gravity were tightly clustered. The observed effects indicated protein degradation processes in microgravity. Further, glucogenic and ketogenic amino acids were further degraded to Glucose and Ketoleucine. The latter is robustly accumulated in short-term and long-term microgravity but not in hypergravity. We detected highly dynamic and also robust adaptative metabolic changes in altered gravity. Metabolomic studies could contribute significantly to the understanding of gravity-induced integrative effects in human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cora S. Thiel
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (C.V.); (T.B.); (S.T.)
- Innovation Cluster Space and Aviation (UZH Space Hub), Air Force Center, University of Zurich, Überlandstrasse 271, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (C.S.T.); (O.U.)
| | - Christian Vahlensieck
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (C.V.); (T.B.); (S.T.)
| | - Timothy Bradley
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (C.V.); (T.B.); (S.T.)
| | - Svantje Tauber
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (C.V.); (T.B.); (S.T.)
- Innovation Cluster Space and Aviation (UZH Space Hub), Air Force Center, University of Zurich, Überlandstrasse 271, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Martin Lehmann
- Biocenter LMU Muenchen, Department of Biology I–Botany, Großhaderner Strasse 2–4, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany;
| | - Oliver Ullrich
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (C.V.); (T.B.); (S.T.)
- Innovation Cluster Space and Aviation (UZH Space Hub), Air Force Center, University of Zurich, Überlandstrasse 271, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Space Biotechnology, Department of Machine Design, Engineering Design and Product Development, Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Space Medicine, Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule (EAH) Jena, Department of Industrial Engineering, Carl-Zeiss-Promenade 2, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Space Life Sciences Laboratory (SLSL), Kennedy Space Center (KSC), 505 Odyssey Way, Exploration Park, FL 32953, USA
- Correspondence: (C.S.T.); (O.U.)
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