1
|
Flores P, Luo J, Mueller DW, Muecklich F, Zea L. Space biofilms - An overview of the morphology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms grown on silicone and cellulose membranes on board the international space station. Biofilm 2024; 7:100182. [PMID: 38370151 PMCID: PMC10869243 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2024.100182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms' natural ability to live as organized multicellular communities - also known as biofilms - provides them with unique survival advantages. For instance, bacterial biofilms are protected against environmental stresses thanks to their extracellular matrix, which could contribute to persistent infections after treatment with antibiotics. Bacterial biofilms are also capable of strongly attaching to surfaces, where their metabolic by-products could lead to surface material degradation. Furthermore, microgravity can alter biofilm behavior in unexpected ways, making the presence of biofilms in space a risk for both astronauts and spaceflight hardware. Despite the efforts to eliminate microorganism contamination from spacecraft surfaces, it is impossible to prevent human-associated bacteria from eventually establishing biofilm surface colonization. Nevertheless, by understanding the changes that bacterial biofilms undergo in microgravity, it is possible to identify key differences and pathways that could be targeted to significantly reduce biofilm formation. The bacterial component of Space Biofilms project, performed on the International Space Station in early 2020, contributes to such understanding by characterizing the morphology and gene expression of bacterial biofilms formed in microgravity with respect to ground controls. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was used as model organism due to its relevance in biofilm studies and its ability to cause urinary tract infections as an opportunistic pathogen. Biofilm formation was characterized at one, two, and three days of incubation (37 °C) over six different materials. Materials reported in this manuscript include catheter grade silicone, selected due to its medical relevance in hospital acquired infections, catheter grade silicone with ultrashort pulsed direct laser interference patterning, included to test microtopographies as a potential biofilm control strategy, and cellulose membrane to replicate the column and canopy structure previously reported from a microgravity study. We here present an overview of the biofilm morphology, including 3D images of the biofilms to represent the distinctive morphology observed in each material tested, and some of the key differences in biofilm thickness, mass, and surface area coverage. We also present the impact of the surface microtopography in biofilm formation across materials, incubation time, and gravitational conditions. The Space Biofilms project (bacterial side) is supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under Grant No. 80NSSC17K0036 and 80NSSC21K1950.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Flores
- BioServe Space Technologies, Aerospace Engineering Sciences Department, University of Colorado, 3775 Discovery Drive, Boulder, CO, USA, 80309
| | - Jiaqi Luo
- Saarland University, 66123, Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany
| | | | | | - Luis Zea
- BioServe Space Technologies, Aerospace Engineering Sciences Department, University of Colorado, 3775 Discovery Drive, Boulder, CO, USA, 80309
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ma B, Bai Y, Hu C, Xie B, Zhang J, Ulbricht M, Zheng L. Space aquatic chemistry: A roadmap for drinking water treatment in microgravity. Environ Sci Ecotechnol 2024; 19:100344. [PMID: 38192688 PMCID: PMC10772392 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2023.100344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Rapid advancement in aerospace technology has successfully enabled long-term life and economic activities in space, particularly in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), extending up to 2000 km from the mean sea level. However, the sustainance of the LEO Economy and its Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) still relies on a regular cargo supply of essential commodities (e.g., water, food) from Earth, for which there still is a lack of adequate and sustainable technologies. One key challenge in this context is developing water treatment technologies and standards that can perform effectively under microgravity conditions. Solving this technical challenge will be a milestone in providing a scientific basis and the necessary support mechanisms for establishing permanent bases in outer space and beyond. To identify clues towards solving this challenge, we looked back at relevant scientific research exploring novel technologies and standards for deep space exploration, also considering feedback for enhancing these technologies on land. Synthesizing our findings, we share our outlook for the future of drinking water treatment in microgravity. We also bring up a new concept for space aquatic chemistry, considering the closed environment of engineered systems operating in microgravity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baiwen Ma
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
- Lehrstuhl für Technische Chemie II, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen, 45117, Germany
| | - Yaohui Bai
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Chengzhi Hu
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Beizhen Xie
- Institute of Environmental Biology and Life Support Technology, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Junya Zhang
- Department of Water Pollution Control, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
- Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, 04318, Germany
| | - Mathias Ulbricht
- Lehrstuhl für Technische Chemie II, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen, 45117, Germany
| | - Libing Zheng
- Lehrstuhl für Technische Chemie II, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen, 45117, Germany
- Department of Water Pollution Control, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rath M, Dümmer M, Hauslage J, Liemersdorf C, Forreiter C. Hardware Development for Plant Cultivation Allowing In Situ Fluorescence Analysis of Calcium Fluxes in Plant Roots Under Microgravity and Ground-Control Conditions. Astrobiology 2024; 24:275-282. [PMID: 38507696 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2023.0038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Maintaining an optimal leaf and stem orientation to yield a maximum photosynthetic output is accomplished by terrestrial plants using sophisticated mechanisms to balance their orientation relative to the Earth's gravity vector and the direction of sunlight. Knowledge of the signal transduction chains of both gravity and light perception and how they influence each other is essential for understanding plant development on Earth and plant cultivation in space environments. However, in situ analyses of cellular signal transduction processes in weightlessness, such as live cell imaging of signaling molecules using confocal fluorescence microscopy, require an adapted experimental setup that meets the special requirements of a microgravity environment. In addition, investigations under prolonged microgravity conditions require extensive resources, are rarely accessible, and do not allow for immediate sample preparation for the actual microscopic analysis. Therefore, supply concepts are needed that ensure both the viability of the contained plants over a longer period of time and an unhindered microscopic analysis in microgravity. Here, we present a customized supply unit specifically designed to study gravity-induced Ca2+ mobilization in roots of Arabidopsis thaliana. The unit can be employed for ground-based experiments, in parabolic flights, on sounding rockets, and probably also aboard the International Space Station.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Rath
- Department of Plant Physiology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Michaela Dümmer
- Department of Plant Physiology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jens Hauslage
- Gravitational Biology, German Aerospace Center, Department of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - Christian Liemersdorf
- Gravitational Biology, German Aerospace Center, Department of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - Christoph Forreiter
- Department of Plant Physiology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Department of Biology, University Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pourhabibian S, Iranbakhsh A, Ebadi M, Hassanpour H, Hekmat A. Alteration in the callogenesis, tropane alkaloid formation, and gene expression in Hyoscyamus niger under clinorotation. Protoplasma 2024; 261:293-302. [PMID: 37814140 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-023-01894-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of clinorotation induced by 2-D clinostat on the growth, tropane alkaloid production, gene expression, antioxidant capacity, and cellular defense responses in the callus tissue of Hyoscyamus niger. Callus induction was conducted by putting hypocotyl explants in the MS culture medium supplemented with 1 mgL-1 2,4-D and 1 mgL-1 BAP growth regulators. The sub-cultured calli were placed on a clinostat for 0, 3, 7, and 10 days (2.24 × 10-5 g on the edge of the callus ring). Clinorotation significantly increased callus fresh weight, dry weight, protein, carbohydrate, and proline contents compared to the control, and their maximum contents were obtained after 7 and 10 days. H2O2 level enhanced under clinorotation with a 76.3% rise after 10 days compared to control and positively affected the atropine (77.1%) and scopolamine (69.2%) productions. Hyoscyamine 6-beta hydroxylase and putrescine N-methyltransferase gene expression involved in the tropane alkaloid biosynthesis were upregulated markedly with 14.2 and 17.1-folds increase after 10 days of clinorotation, respectively. The expressions of jasmonic acid, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and ethylene-responsive element-binding transcription factor were upregulated, and the activity of peroxidase and catalase showed a 72.7 and 80% rise after 10 days. These findings suggest that microgravity can enhance callogenesis by stimulating the ROS level, which can impact the antioxidant enzymes, tropane alkaloid formation, and gene expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Pourhabibian
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Iranbakhsh
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mostafa Ebadi
- Department of Biology, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Halimeh Hassanpour
- Aerospace Research Institute, Ministry of Science Research and Technology, Tehran, 14665-834, Iran
| | - Azadeh Hekmat
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Singh R, Jaiswal A, Singh RP. Simulated microgravity induces DNA damage concurrent with impairment of DNA repair and activation of cell-type specific DNA damage response in microglial and glioblastoma cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res 2024; 1871:119679. [PMID: 38272357 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2024.119679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Long-term spaceflights affect the structural changes in brain, alter motor or cognitive function and associated development of neuro-optic syndrome in astronauts. Studies addressing the impact of microgravity on brain cells are very limited. Herein, we employed microglial (CHME3) and glioblastoma (U87MG and A172) cells to study their molecular and functional adaptations under simulated microgravity (SMG) exposure. A reduction in cell viability and proliferation with decreased levels of PCNA were observed in these cells. SMG caused extensive DNA damage with an increase in γH2A.X (ser139) phosphorylation and differential activation/expression of DNA damage response (DDR) proteins including ATM, ATR, Chk1, Chk2 and p53 in all the three cell lines. Unlike CHME3, the ATM/Chk2-dependent DDR pathway was activated in glioblastoma cells suggesting a marked difference in the adaptation between normal and cancer cells to SMG. Five different classes of DNA repair pathways including BER, NER, MMR, NHEJ and HR were suppressed in both cell lines with the notable exception of NHEJ (Ku70/80 and DNA-PK) activation in U87MG cells. SMG induced mitochondrial apoptosis with increased expression of Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase, and reduced Bcl-2 level. SMG triggered apoptosis simultaneously via ERK1/2 and AKT activation, and inhibition of GSK3β activity which was reversed by MEK1 and PI3K inhibitors. Taken together, our study revealed that microgravity is a strong stressor to trigger DNA damage and apoptosis through activation of ERK1/2 and AKT, and impairment of DNA repair capacity, albeit with a cell-type difference in DDR and NHEJ regulation, in microglial and glioblastoma cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ragini Singh
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Aishwarya Jaiswal
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Rana P Singh
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India; Special Centre for Systems Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rudolf AM, Hood WR. Mitochondrial stress in the spaceflight environment. Mitochondrion 2024; 76:101855. [PMID: 38403094 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2024.101855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Space is a challenging environment that deregulates individual homeostasis. The main external hazards associated with spaceflight include ionizing space radiation, microgravity, isolation and confinement, distance from Earth, and hostile environment. Characterizing the biological responses to spaceflight environment is essential to validate the health risks, and to develop effective protection strategies. Mitochondria energetics is a key mechanism underpinning many physiological, ecological and evolutionary processes. Moreover, mitochondrial stress can be considered one of the fundamental features of space travel. So, we attempt to synthesize key information regarding the extensive effects of spaceflight on mitochondria. In summary, mitochondria are affected by all of the five main hazards of spaceflight at multiple levels, including their morphology, respiratory function, protein, and genetics, in various tissues and organ systems. We emphasize that investigating mitochondrial biology in spaceflight conditions should become the central focus of research on the impacts of spaceflight on human health, as this approach will help resolve numerous challenges of space health and combat several health disorders associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agata M Rudolf
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA; Space Technology Centre, AGH University of Science and Technology, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Wendy R Hood
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gan X, Zhao J, Li S, Kan G, Zhang Y, Wang B, Zhang P, Ma X, Tian H, Liao M, Ju D, Xu S, Chen X, Guo J. Simulated space environmental factors of weightlessness, noise and low atmospheric pressure differentially affect the diurnal rhythm and the gut microbiome. Life Sci Space Res (Amst) 2024; 40:115-125. [PMID: 38245336 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2023.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
The circadian clock extensively regulates physiology and behavior. In space, astronauts encounter many environmental factors that are dramatically different from those on Earth; however, the effects of these factors on circadian rhythms and the mechanisms remain largely unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the changes in the mouse diurnal rhythm and gut microbiome under simulated space capsule conditions, including microgravity, noise and low atmospheric pressure (LAP). Noise and LAP were loaded in the capsule while the conditions in the animal room remained constant. The mice in the capsule showed disturbed locomotor rhythms and faster adaptation to a 6-h phase advance. RNA sequencing of hypothalamus samples containing the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) revealed that microgravity simulated by hind limb unloading (HU) and exposure to noise and LAP led to decreases in the quantities of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including circadian clock genes. Changes in the rhythmicity of genes implicated in pathways of cardiovascular deconditioning and more concentrated phases were found under HU or noise and LAP. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed dysbiosis in the gut microbiome, and noise and LAP may repress the temporal discrepancy in the microbiome community structure induced by microgravity. Changes in diurnal oscillations were observed in a number of gut bacteria with critical physiological consequences on metabolism and immunodefense. We also found that the superimposition of noise and LAP may repress normal changes in global gene expression and adaptation in the gut microbiome. Our data demonstrate that in addition to microgravity, exposure to noise and LAP affect the robustness of circadian rhythms and the community structure of the gut microbiome, and these factors may interfere with each other in their adaptation to respective conditions. These findings are important for furthering our understanding of the alterations in circadian rhythms in the complex environment of space.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xihui Gan
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianwei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China
| | - Silin Li
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guanghan Kan
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yin Zhang
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohong Ma
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongni Tian
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Meimei Liao
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dapeng Ju
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuihong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China; National Key Laboratory of Human Factors Engineering, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China.
| | - Jinhu Guo
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Santhoshkumar P, Negi A, Moses JA. 3D printing for space food applications: Advancements, challenges, and prospects. Life Sci Space Res (Amst) 2024; 40:158-165. [PMID: 38245341 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Space foods closely associate with the performance and mental health of astronauts. Over the years, a range of manufacturing technologies have been explored and advancements in food 3D printing can provide answers to certain existing challenges and revolutionize the way foods are prepared for space exploration missions. Apart from the nutrition and satiety perspective, product shelf-life, variety, personalization, and the need for customized diets are critical considerations. In such long-duration human-crewed space missions, under microgravity conditions and exposure to space, psychological factors heavily affect food consumption patterns. Therefore, there has been a surge in research funding for developing products and methods that offer safe, nutritionally balanced, and delightful food options. 3D food printing could be a creative solution for such requirements. While multiple challenges must be addressed, the technology promises waste minimization and the scope for on-site on-demand food preparation. This article begins with fundamental concepts of this subject, provides a timeline of the advancements in the field, and details the futuristic prospects of the technology for long-duration space missions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Santhoshkumar
- Computational Modeling and Nanoscale Processing Unit, National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management - Thanjavur (NIFTEM-T), Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, Thanjavur, 613005, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Aditi Negi
- Computational Modeling and Nanoscale Processing Unit, National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management - Thanjavur (NIFTEM-T), Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, Thanjavur, 613005, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - J A Moses
- Computational Modeling and Nanoscale Processing Unit, National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management - Thanjavur (NIFTEM-T), Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, Thanjavur, 613005, Tamil Nadu, India.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Dontre AJ. Weighing the impact of microgravity on vestibular and visual functions. Life Sci Space Res (Amst) 2024; 40:51-61. [PMID: 38245348 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2023.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Numerous technological challenges have been overcome to realize human space exploration. As mission durations gradually lengthen, the next obstacle is a set of physical limitations. Extended exposure to microgravity poses multiple threats to various bodily systems. Two of these systems are of particular concern for the success of future space missions. The vestibular system includes the otolith organs, which are stimulated in gravity but unloaded in microgravity. This impairs perception, posture, and coordination, all of which are relevant to mission success. Similarly, vision is impaired in many space travelers due to possible intracranial pressure changes or fluid shifts in the brain. As humankind prepares for extended missions to Mars and beyond, it is imperative to compensate for these perils in prolonged weightlessness. Possible countermeasures are considered such as exercise regimens, improved nutrition, and artificial gravity achieved with a centrifuge or spacecraft rotation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Dontre
- School of Psychology, Fielding Graduate University, 2020 De La Vina Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, USA; Department of Communications, Behavioral, and Natural Sciences, Franklin University, 201 South Grant Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Diak DM, Krieger S, Gutierrez C, Mehta S, Nelman-Gonzalez M, Babiak-Vazquez A, Young M, Oswald TM, Choukér A, Johnson J, James H, Chang CY, Crucian B. Palmer Station, Antarctica: A ground-based spaceflight analog suitable for validation of biomedical countermeasures for deep space missions. Life Sci Space Res (Amst) 2024; 40:151-157. [PMID: 38245340 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2023.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Astronauts are known to exhibit a variety of immunological alterations during spaceflight including changes in leukocyte distribution and plasma cytokine concentrations, a reduction in T-cell function, and subclinical reactivation of latent herpesviruses. These alterations are most likely due to mission-associated stressors including circadian misalignment, microgravity, isolation, altered nutrition, and increased exposure to cosmic radiation. Some of these stressors may also occur in terrestrial situations. This study sought to determine if crewmembers performing winterover deployment at Palmer Station, Antarctica, displayed similar immune alterations. The larger goal was to validate a ground analog suitable for the evaluation of countermeasures designed to protect astronauts during future deep space missions. For this pilot study, plasma, saliva, hair, and health surveys were collected from Palmer Station, Antarctica, winterover participants at baseline, and at five winterover timepoints. Twenty-six subjects consented to participate over the course of two seasons. Initial sample processing was performed at Palmer, and eventually stabilized samples were returned to the Johnson Space Center for analysis. A white blood cell differential was performed (real time) using a fingerstick blood sample to determine alterations in basic leukocyte subsets throughout the winterover. Plasma and saliva samples were analyzed for 30 and 13 cytokines, respectively. Saliva was analyzed for cortisol concentration and three latent herpesviruses (DNA by qPCR), EBV, HSV1, and VZV. Voluntary surveys related to general health and adverse clinical events were distributed to participants. It is noteworthy that due to logistical constraints caused by COVID-19, the baseline samples for each season were collected in Punta Arenas, Chile, after long international travel and during isolation. Therefore, the Palmer pre-mission samples may not reflect a true normal 'baseline'. Minimal alterations were observed in leukocyte distribution during winterover. The mean percentage of monocyte concentration elevated at one timepoint. Plasma G-CSF, IL1RA, MCP-1, MIP-1β, TNFα, and VEGF were decreased during at least one winterover timepoint, whereas RANTES was significantly increased. No statistically significant changes were observed in mean saliva cytokine concentrations. Salivary cortisol was substantially elevated throughout the entire winterover compared to baseline. Compared to shedding levels observed in healthy controls (23%), the percentage of participants who shed EBV was higher throughout all winterover timepoints (52-60%). Five subjects shed HSV1 during at least one timepoint throughout the season compared to no subjects shedding during pre-deployment. Finally, VZV reactivation, common in astronauts but exceptionally rare in ground-based stress analogs, was observed in one subject during pre-deployment and a different subject at WO2 and WO3. These pilot data, somewhat influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, do suggest that participants at Palmer Station undergo immunological alterations similar to, but likely in reduced magnitude, as those observed in astronauts. We suggest that winterover at Palmer Station may be a suitable test analog for spaceflight biomedical countermeasures designed to mitigate clinical risks for deep space missions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Alexander Choukér
- Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Jamee Johnson
- National Science Foundation, Alexandria, Virginia, United States
| | - Hannah James
- National Science Foundation, Alexandria, Virginia, United States
| | - Cindy Y Chang
- National Science Foundation, Alexandria, Virginia, United States
| | - Brian Crucian
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Siddiqui R, Qaisar R, Al-Dahash K, Altelly AH, Elmoselhi AB, Khan NA. Cardiovascular changes under the microgravity environment and the gut microbiome. Life Sci Space Res (Amst) 2024; 40:89-96. [PMID: 38245353 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
In view of the critical role the gut microbiome plays in human health, it has become clear that astronauts' gut microbiota composition changes after spending time in space. Astronauts are exposed to several risks in space, including a protracted period of microgravity, radiation, and mechanical unloading of the body. Several deleterious effects of such an environment are reported, including orthostatic intolerance, cardiovascular endothelial dysfunction, cellular and molecular changes, and changes in the composition of the gut microbiome. Herein, the correlation between the gut microbiome and cardiovascular disease in a microgravity environment is evaluated. Additionally, the relationship between orthostatic hypotension, cardiac shrinkage and arrhythmias during spaceflight, and cellular alterations during spaceflight is reviewed. Given its impact on human health in general, modifying the gut microbiota may significantly promote astronaut health and performance. This is merited, given the prospect of augmented human activities in future space missions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- Microbiota Research Center, Istinye University, Istanbul 34010, Turkey; College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah 26666, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rizwan Qaisar
- Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; Cardiovascular Research Group, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Khulood Al-Dahash
- Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmad Hashem Altelly
- Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Adel B Elmoselhi
- Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; Cardiovascular Research Group, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Microbiota Research Center, Istinye University, Istanbul 34010, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Waisberg E, Ong J, Lee AG. Prioritizing open science in space medicine: perspectives following the NASA "Transform to Open Science (TOPS)" Curriculum. Ir J Med Sci 2024:10.1007/s11845-024-03612-w. [PMID: 38244174 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-024-03612-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has recently made a long-term commitment towards fostering open science. The NASA Transform to Open Science (TOPS) initiative provides recommendations, best practices, and tools related to open science. The principles of open science include the transparent sharing of data, findings, and methods and is designed to accelerate the pace of discovery and foster collaboration. The goal of open science is to allow data, publications, software, and physical samples to be accessible to all, regardless of being a professional or an amateur. In this paper, we summarize several key points open science that were presented as part of NASA's Open Science 101 Module 1 at an in-person training event in Washington, D.C., and include how open science can be beneficial for researchers and society as a whole.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Waisberg
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Joshua Ong
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Andrew G Lee
- Center for Space Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- The Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Texas A&M College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Elahi MM, Witt AN, Pryzdial ELG, McBeth PB. Thrombotic triad in microgravity. Thromb Res 2024; 233:82-87. [PMID: 38029549 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2023.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Thrombotic disease may be an underdiagnosed condition of prolonged exposure to microgravity and yet the underlying factors remain poorly defined. Recently, an internal jugular vein thrombosis was diagnosed in a low-risk female astronaut after an approximately 7-week space mission. Six of the additional 10 crew members demonstrated jugular venous flow risk factors, such as suspicious stagnation or retroversion. Fortunately, all were asymptomatic. Observations in space as well as clinical and in vitro microgravity studies on Earth, where experiments are designed to recapitulate the conditions of space, suggest effects on blood flow stasis, coagulation, and vascular function. In this article, the related literature on thrombotic disease in space is reviewed, with consideration of these elements of Virchow's triad.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad M Elahi
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Canada; Centre for Blood Research, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Alexandra N Witt
- Centre for Blood Research, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Canada; Canadian Blood Services, Medical Affairs and Innovation, Canada
| | - Edward L G Pryzdial
- Centre for Blood Research, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Canada; Canadian Blood Services, Medical Affairs and Innovation, Canada
| | - Paul B McBeth
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Yeung C, Jones-Isaac K, Lindberg K, Yang J, Bain J, Ruiz M, Koenig G, Koenig P, Countryman S, Himmelfarb J, Kelly E. Development of a Kidney Microphysiological System Hardware Platform for Microgravity Studies. Res Sq 2023:rs.3.rs-3750478. [PMID: 38196654 PMCID: PMC10775353 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3750478/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Study of the physiological effects of microgravity on humans is limited to non-invasive testing of astronauts. Microphysiological models of human organs recapitulate many functions and disease states. Here we describe the development of an advanced, semi-autonomous hardware platform to support kidney microphysiological model experiments in microgravity.
Collapse
|
15
|
Kelly E, Lindberg K, Jones-Isaac K, Yang J, Bain J, Wang L, MacDonald J, Bammler T, Calamia J, Thummel K, Yeung C, Countryman S, Koenig P, Himmelfarb J. Impact of microgravity on a three-dimensional microphysiologic culture of the human kidney proximal tubule epithelium: cell response to serum and vitamin D. Res Sq 2023:rs.3.rs-3778779. [PMID: 38196580 PMCID: PMC10775397 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3778779/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
The microgravity environment aboard the International Space Station (ISS) provides a unique stressor that can help understand underlying cellular and molecular drivers of pathological changes observed in astronauts with the ultimate goals of developing strategies to enable long-term spaceflight and better treatment of diseases on Earth. We used this unique environment to evaluate the effects of microgravity on kidney proximal tubule epithelial cell (PTEC) response to serum exposure and vitamin D biotransformation capacity. To test if microgravity alters the pathologic response of the proximal tubule to serum exposure, we treated PTECs cultured in a microphysiological system (PT-MPS) with human serum and measured biomarkers of toxicity and inflammation (KIM-1 and IL-6) and conducted global transcriptomics via RNAseq on cells undergoing flight (microgravity) and respective controls (ground). We also treated 3D cultured PTECs with 25(OH)D3 (vitamin D) and monitored vitamin D metabolite formation, conducted global transcriptomics via RNAseq, and evaluated transcript expression of CYP27B1, CYP24A1, or CYP3A5 in PTECs undergoing flight (microgravity) and respective ground controls. We demonstrated that microgravity neither altered PTEC metabolism of vitamin D nor did it induce a unique response of PTECs to human serum, suggesting that these fundamental biochemical pathways in the kidney proximal tubule are not significantly altered by short-term exposure to microgravity. Given the prospect of extended spaceflight, more study is needed to determine if these responses are consistent with extended (> 6 month) exposure to microgravity.
Collapse
|
16
|
Sharma G, Zee PC, Zea L, Curtis PD. Whole genome-scale assessment of gene fitness of Novosphingobium aromaticavorans during spaceflight. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:782. [PMID: 38102595 PMCID: PMC10725011 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09799-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In microgravity, bacteria undergo intriguing physiological adaptations. There have been few attempts to assess global bacterial physiological responses to microgravity, with most studies only focusing on a handful of individual systems. This study assessed the fitness of each gene in the genome of the aromatic compound-degrading Alphaproteobacterium Novosphingobium aromaticavorans during growth in spaceflight. This was accomplished using Comparative TnSeq, which involves culturing the same saturating transposon mutagenized library under two different conditions. To assess gene fitness, a novel comparative TnSeq analytical tool was developed, named TnDivA, that is particularly useful in leveraging biological replicates. In this approach, transposon diversity is represented numerically using a modified Shannon diversity index, which was then converted into effective transposon density. This transformation accounts for variability in read distribution between samples, such as cases where reads were dominated by only a few transposon inserts. Effective density values were analyzed using multiple statistical methods, including log2-fold change, least-squares regression analysis, and Welch's t-test. The results obtained across applied statistical methods show a difference in the number of significant genes identified. However, the functional categories of genes important to growth in microgravity showed similar patterns. Lipid metabolism and transport, energy production, transcription, translation, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis and transport were shown to have high fitness during spaceflight. This suggests that core metabolic processes, including lipid and secondary metabolism, play an important role adapting to stress and promoting growth in microgravity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gayatri Sharma
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, 402 Shoemaker Hall, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Peter C Zee
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, 402 Shoemaker Hall, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Luis Zea
- Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Patrick D Curtis
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, 402 Shoemaker Hall, University, MS, 38677, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Asachi P, Ghanem G, Burton J, Aintablian H, Chiem A. Utility of ultrasound in managing acute medical conditions in space: a scoping review. Ultrasound J 2023; 15:47. [PMID: 38085418 PMCID: PMC10716092 DOI: 10.1186/s13089-023-00349-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In long-distance spaceflight, the challenges of communication delays and the impracticality of rapid evacuation necessitate the management of medical emergencies by onboard physicians. Consequently, these physicians must be proficient in tools, such as ultrasound, which has proven itself a strong diagnostic imaging tool in space. Yet, there remains a notable gap in the discourse surrounding its efficacy in handling acute medical scenarios. This scoping review aims to present an updated analysis of the evidence supporting the role of ultrasound in diagnosing acute conditions within microgravity environments. METHODS A systematic search was executed across three bibliographic databases: PubMed, EMBASE (Embase.com), and the Web of Science Core Collection. We considered articles published up to February 25, 2023, that highlighted the application of ultrasound in diagnosing acute medical conditions in either microgravity or microgravity-simulated settings. Exclusions were made for review papers, abstracts, and in-vitro studies. RESULTS After removing duplicates, and filtering papers by pre-determined criteria, a total of 15 articles were identified that discuss the potential use of ultrasound in managing acute medical conditions in space. The publication date of these studies ranged from 1999 to 2020. A relatively similar proportion of these studies were conducted either on the International Space Station or in parabolic flight, with one performed in supine positioning to simulate weightlessness. The included studies discuss acute pathologies, such as abdominal emergencies, decompression sickness, deep venous thrombosis, acute lung pathologies, sinusitis, musculoskeletal trauma, genitourinary emergencies, and ocular emergencies. CONCLUSIONS While ultrasound has shown promise in addressing various acute conditions, significant knowledge gaps remain, especially in gastrointestinal, cardiac, vascular, and reproductive emergencies. As we venture further into space, expanding our medical expertise becomes vital to ensure astronaut safety and mission success.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Parsa Asachi
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 855 Tiverton Dr, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA.
| | - Ghadi Ghanem
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 855 Tiverton Dr, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - Jason Burton
- University of California, Los Angeles Library, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Haig Aintablian
- Department of Emergency Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alan Chiem
- Department of Emergency Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine UCLA, Olive View UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Majumder N, Ghosh S. 3D biofabrication and space: A 'far-fetched dream' or a 'forthcoming reality'? Biotechnol Adv 2023; 69:108273. [PMID: 37863444 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
The long duration space missions across the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) often expose the voyagers to an abrupt zero gravity influence. The severe extraterrestrial cosmic radiation directly causes a plethora of moderate to chronic healthcare crises. The only feasible solution to manage critical injuries on board is surgical interventions or immediate return to Earth. This led the group of space medicine practitioners to adopt principles from tissue engineering and develop human tissue equivalents as an immediate regenerative therapy on board. The current review explicitly demonstrates the constructive application of different tissue-engineered equivalents matured under the available ground-based microgravity simulation facilities. Further, it elucidates how augmenting the superiority of biomaterial-based 3D bioprinting technology can enhance their clinical applicability. Additionally, the regulatory role of weightlessness condition on the underlying cellular signaling pathways governing tissue morphogenesis has been critically discussed. This information will provide future directions on how 3D biofabrication can be used as a plausible tool for healing on-flight chronic health emergencies. Thus, in our review, we aimed to precisely debate whether 3D biofabrication is deployed to cater to on-flight healthcare anomalies or space-like conditions are being utilized for generating 3D bioprinted human tissue constructs for efficient drug screening and regenerative therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nilotpal Majumder
- Regenerative Engineering Laboratory, Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Sourabh Ghosh
- Regenerative Engineering Laboratory, Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Masís Solano M, Bélanger Nzakimuena C, Dumas R, Lesk MR, Costantino S. Ocular rigidity and choroidal thickness changes in response to microgravity: A case study. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep 2023; 32:101940. [PMID: 37860670 PMCID: PMC10582271 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajoc.2023.101940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate ocular rigidity and choroidal thickness changes in response to microgravity and the Valsalva maneuver in a private astronaut. Methods Ophthalmological examination and Optical Coherence Tomography were performed before, during, and after space flight. Choroidal thickness was measured at all time points at rest and during the Valsalva maneuver. Ocular rigidity was obtained before and after flight using a non-invasive method enhanced with deep learning-based choroid segmentation. Results Ocular rigidity decreased after space flight compared to baseline. There was an increase in average choroidal thickness during the Valsalva maneuver compared to the resting condition before, during, and after space flight, and such increase was greater when the Valsalva maneuver was performed during space flight. Conclusions and importance The data indicates biomechanical changes to ocular tissues because of space flight and greater choroidal thickness increase. The findings could lead to a better understanding of space flight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome and may have repercussions for short duration missions in a nascent industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marissé Masís Solano
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Université de Montréal, Canada
- Centre de recherche de l'Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Canada
| | | | | | - Mark R. Lesk
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Université de Montréal, Canada
- Centre de recherche de l'Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Canada
| | - Santiago Costantino
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Université de Montréal, Canada
- Centre de recherche de l'Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Marra D, Karapantsios T, Caserta S, Secchi E, Holynska M, Labarthe S, Polizzi B, Ortega S, Kostoglou M, Lasseur C, Karapanagiotis I, Lecuyer S, Bridier A, Noirot-Gros MF, Briandet R. Migration of surface-associated microbial communities in spaceflight habitats. Biofilm 2023; 5:100109. [PMID: 36909662 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2023.100109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Astronauts are spending longer periods locked up in ships or stations for scientific and exploration spatial missions. The International Space Station (ISS) has been inhabited continuously for more than 20 years and the duration of space stays by crews could lengthen with the objectives of human presence on the moon and Mars. If the environment of these space habitats is designed for the comfort of astronauts, it is also conducive to other forms of life such as embarked microorganisms. The latter, most often associated with surfaces in the form of biofilm, have been implicated in significant degradation of the functionality of pieces of equipment in space habitats. The most recent research suggests that microgravity could increase the persistence, resistance and virulence of pathogenic microorganisms detected in these communities, endangering the health of astronauts and potentially jeopardizing long-duration manned missions. In this review, we describe the mechanisms and dynamics of installation and propagation of these microbial communities associated with surfaces (spatial migration), as well as long-term processes of adaptation and evolution in these extreme environments (phenotypic and genetic migration), with special reference to human health. We also discuss the means of control envisaged to allow a lasting cohabitation between these vibrant microscopic passengers and the astronauts.
Collapse
|
21
|
Mikheeva I, Zhujkova N, Mikhailova G, Shtanchaev R, Pavlik L, Arkhipov V. Morphological changes in motoneurons of the oculomotor nucleus of mice after a 30-day space flight and through a 7-day period of readaptation to earth gravity. Brain Struct Funct 2023; 228:2041-2049. [PMID: 37688593 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02704-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
The cellular mechanisms of neuroplastic changes in the structure of motoneurons and neuropils of the oculomotor (III) nuclei in mice after a 30-day space flight and 7 days after landing were studied. The results showed that microgravity caused degenerative phenomena in neurons: a decrease in the number of terminal dendritic branches was found both after flight and after readaptation to Earth's gravity. In mice after the flight, the number of axodendritic synapses was less than in the control, and their number was not restored after the readaptation. The number of mitochondria in the motoneurons of animals after the flight also decreased and after the readaptation reached only the control value. In addition, a significant number of dark motorneurons were found in mice after readaptation, which indicates that degeneration was caused not only by microgravity, but also by a reaction to the landing of the biosatellite. On the contrary, in the trochlear nucleus, as we showed earlier (Mikheeva et al. in Brain Res 15(1795):148077. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2022.148077 , 2022), after readaptation, the dendrites and synaptic contacts were restored, and mitogenesis is significantly enhanced. It has been suggested that morphological changes in the oculomotor nucleus may be the main cause of microgravity-induced nystagmus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irina Mikheeva
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142290, Russia.
| | - Natalya Zhujkova
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142290, Russia
| | - Gulnara Mikhailova
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142290, Russia
| | - Rashid Shtanchaev
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142290, Russia
| | - Lyubov Pavlik
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142290, Russia
| | - Vladimir Arkhipov
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142290, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Li W, Yu Y, Zhou G, Hu G, Li B, Ma H, Yan W, Pei H. Large-scale ORF screening based on LC-MS to discover novel lncRNA-encoded peptides responding to ionizing radiation and microgravity. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:5201-5211. [PMID: 37928948 PMCID: PMC10624585 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.10.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the human genome, 98% of genes can be transcribed into non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), among which lncRNAs and their encoded peptides play important roles in regulating various aspects of cellular processes and may serve as crucial factors in modulating the biological effects induced by ionizing radiation and microgravity. Unfortunately, there are few reports in space radiation biology on lncRNA-encoded peptides below 10kD due to limitations in detection techniques. To fill this gap, we integrated a variety of methods based on genomics and peptidomics, and discovered 22 lncRNA-encoded small peptides that are sensitive to space radiation and microgravity, which have never been reported before. We concurrently validated the transmembrane helix, subcellular localization, and biological function of these small peptides using bioinformatics and molecular biology techniques. More importantly, we found that these small peptides function independently of the lncRNAs that encode them. Our findings have uncovered a previously unknown human proteome encoded by 'non-coding' genes in response to space conditions and elucidated their involvement in biological processes, providing valuable strategies for individual protection mechanisms for astronauts who carry out deep space exploration missions in space radiation environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - Yongduo Yu
- 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
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
- Center for Systems Biology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Bingyan 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
| | - Hong Ma
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Wenying Yan
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
- Center for Systems Biology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Hailong 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
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Xing C, Wang H, Zhu J, Zhang C, Li X. Impact of gravity on fluid flow and solute transport in the bone lacunar-canalicular system: a multiscale numerical simulation study. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin 2023:1-10. [PMID: 37842849 DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2023.2270104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Different gravity fields have important effects on the structural morphology of bone. The fluid flow caused by loadings in the bone lacunar-canalicular system (LCS), converts mechanical signals into biological signals and regulates bone reconstruction by affecting effector cells, which ensures the efficient transport of signaling molecules, nutrients, and waste products. In this study, the fluid flow and mass transfer effects of bone lacunar-canalicular system at multi-scale were firstly investigated, and a three-dimensional axisymmetric fluid-solid coupled finite element model of the LCS within three continuous osteocytes was established. The changes in fluid pressure field, flow velocity field, and fluid shear force variation on the surface of osteocytes within the LCS were studied comparatively under different gravitational fields (0 G, 1 G, 5 G), frequencies (1 Hz, 1.5 Hz, 2 Hz) and forms of cyclic compressive loading. The results showed that different frequencies represented different exercise intensities, suggesting that high-intensity exercise may accelerate the fluid flow rate within the LCS and enhance osteocytes activity. Hypergravity enhanced the transport of solute molecules, nutrients, and signaling molecules within the LCS. Conversely, the mass transfer in the LCS may be inhibited under microgravity, which may cause bone loss and eventually lead to the onset of osteoporosis. This investigation provides theoretical guidance for rehabilitative training against osteoporosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Xing
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Advanced Mechatronic System Design and Intelligent Control, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Education, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, China
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Advanced Mechatronic System Design and Intelligent Control, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Education, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Jianzhong Zhu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Advanced Mechatronic System Design and Intelligent Control, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Education, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Chunqiu Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Advanced Mechatronic System Design and Intelligent Control, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Education, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuejin Li
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Zhang W, Zhang J, Cui Y, Zhao Y, Lei X. Stem Cells and Exosome Applications for Cutaneous Wound Healing: From Ground to Microgravity Environment. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:2094-2108. [PMID: 37458936 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10571-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
The increasing number of astronauts entering microgravity environments for long-term space missions has resulted in serious health problems, including accidental injury and trauma. Skin, as the largest organ and outermost layer of the human body, has the ability to self-renew and withstand a variety of harmful biological and environmental influences. Recent spaceflight experiments and simulated studies have begun to concern the effects of microgravity on the growth of skin cells and the process of cutaneous wound healing. However, the mechanisms of the adverse effects of microgravity on skin cells and potential intervention measures are still limited. Stem cells and their exosomes provide unique opportunities for the cutaneous wound healing as they have been used to improve skin repair. This review discusses the effects of microgravity on wound healing, from cell morphological changes to molecular level alterations. Furthermore, the current research on wound healing treatment utilizing stem cells and their exosomes on the ground is summarized. Finally, this review proposes promising therapeutic strategies using stem cells or exosomes for wound healing in the microgravity environment. Graphical Abstract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenya Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-targeting Theranostics, National Center for International Research of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jinhua Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-targeting Theranostics, National Center for International Research of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
- The College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Yan Cui
- Department of General Surgery, Strategic Support Force Medical Center, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yongxiang Zhao
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-targeting Theranostics, National Center for International Research of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China.
| | - Xiaohua Lei
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Zhao C, Liu H, Tian C, Zhang C, Wang W. Multi-scale numerical simulation on mechano-transduction of osteocytes in different gravity fields. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin 2023; 26:1419-1430. [PMID: 36048419 DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2022.2117552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
A three-dimensional model for osteocyte was established to research the mechanisms of mechano-transduction and amplification of primary cilium and osteocyte process in every gravity field. The results showed that significant stress concentration was observed in the area of physical connection between TES and the osteocyte process, where the fluid shear stress (FSS) was around two orders of magnitude higher than that in other areas. Due to the significant amplification effect of the TES structure on mechanical stimulation, making osteocyte process the "optimal mechanical receptor". In microgravity, the mechanical signal conduction ability of the osteocyte decreased significantly.. HighlightsAt the micro-nano scale, a 3D model for single bone lacunae-osteocyte system is established.The stress amplification mechanism of the transverse element is verified.Compared with the primary cilium, osteocyte process is the 'optimal mechanical receptor'.In microgravity, the mechanical signal conduction ability of osteocyte system decreased.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaohui Zhao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Advanced Mechatronic System Design and Intelligent Control, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Education, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiying Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Advanced Mechatronic System Design and Intelligent Control, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Education, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Congbiao Tian
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Advanced Mechatronic System Design and Intelligent Control, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Education, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunqiu Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Advanced Mechatronic System Design and Intelligent Control, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Education, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Mechanics, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Song C, Kang T, Gao K, Shi X, Zhang M, Zhao L, Zhou L, Guo J. Preparation for mice spaceflight: Indications for training C57BL/6J mice to adapt to microgravity effect with three-dimensional clinostat on the ground. Heliyon 2023; 9:e19355. [PMID: 37662714 PMCID: PMC10472007 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Like astronauts, animals need to undergo training and screening before entering space. At present, pre-launch training for mice mainly focuses on adaptation to habitat system. Training for the weightless environment of space in mice has not received much attention. Three-dimensional (3D) clinostat is a method to simulate the effects of microgravity on Earth. However, few studies have used a 3D clinostat apparatus to simulate the effects of microgravity on animal models. Therefore, we conducted a study to evaluate the feasibility and effects of long-term treatment with three-dimensional clinostat in C57BL/6 J mice. Thirty 8-week-old male C57BL/6 J mice were randomly assigned to three groups: mice in individually ventilated cages (MC group, n = 6), mice in survival boxes (SB group, n = 12), and mice in survival boxes receiving 3D clinostat treatment (CS group, n = 12). The mice showed good tolerance after 12 weeks of alternate day training. To evaluate the biological effects of simulated microgravity, the changes in serum metabolites were monitored using untargeted metabolomics, whereas bone loss was assessed using microcomputed tomography of the left femur. Compared with the metabolome of the SB group, the metabolome of the CS group showed significant differences during the first three weeks and the last three weeks. The KEGG pathways in the late stages were mainly related to the nervous system, indicating the influence of long-term microgravity on the central nervous system. Besides, a marked reduction in the trabecular number (P < 0.05) and an increasing trend of trabecular spacing (P < 0.1) were observed to occur in a time-dependent manner in the CS group compared with the SB group. These results showed that mice tolerated well in a 3D clinostat and may provide a new strategy in pre-launch training for mice and conducting relevant ground-based modeling experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chenchen Song
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Chinese Ministry of Health, Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Taisheng Kang
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Chinese Ministry of Health, Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Kai Gao
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Chinese Ministry of Health, Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xudong Shi
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Chinese Ministry of Health, Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Chinese Ministry of Health, Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lianlian Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Chinese Ministry of Health, Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Li Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Chinese Ministry of Health, Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jianguo Guo
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Chinese Ministry of Health, Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Singh NK, Wood JM, Patane J, Moura LMS, Lombardino J, Setubal JC, Venkateswaran K. Characterization of metagenome-assembled genomes from the International Space Station. Microbiome 2023; 11:125. [PMID: 37264385 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01545-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several investigations on the microbial diversity and functional properties of the International Space Station (ISS) environment were carried out to understand the influence of spaceflight conditions on the microbial population. However, metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of ISS samples are yet to be generated and subjected to various genomic analyses, including phylogenetic affiliation, predicted functional pathways, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence characteristics. RESULTS In total, 46 MAGs were assembled from 21 ISS environmental metagenomes, in which metaSPAdes yielded 20 MAGs and metaWRAP generated 26 MAGs. Among 46 MAGs retrieved, 18 bacterial species were identified, including one novel genus/species combination (Kalamiella piersonii) and one novel bacterial species (Methylobacterium ajmalii). In addition, four bins exhibited fungal genomes; this is the first-time fungal genomes were assembled from ISS metagenomes. Phylogenetic analyses of five bacterial species showed ISS-specific evolution. The genes pertaining to cell membranes, such as transmembrane transport, cell wall organization, and regulation of cell shape, were enriched. Variations in the antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) and virulence genes of the selected 20 MAGs were characterized to predict the ecology and evolution of biosafety level (BSL) 2 microorganisms in space. Since microbial virulence increases in microgravity, AMR gene sequences of MAGs were compared with genomes of respective ISS isolates and corresponding type strains. Among these 20 MAGs characterized, AMR genes were more prevalent in the Enterobacter bugandensis MAG, which has been predominantly isolated from clinical samples. MAGs were further used to analyze if genes involved in AMR and biofilm formation of viable microbes in ISS have variation due to generational evolution in microgravity and radiation pressure. CONCLUSIONS Comparative analyses of MAGs and whole-genome sequences of related ISS isolates and their type strains were characterized to understand the variation related to the microbial evolution under microgravity. The Pantoea/Kalamiella strains have the maximum single-nucleotide polymorphisms found within the ISS strains examined. This may suggest that Pantoea/Kalamiella strains are much more subjective to microgravity changes. The reconstructed genomes will enable researchers to study the evolution of genomes under microgravity and low-dose irradiation compared to the evolution of microbes here on Earth. Video Abstract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nitin K Singh
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91109, USA
| | - Jason M Wood
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91109, USA
| | - Jose Patane
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Livia Maria Silva Moura
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Jonathan Lombardino
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - João Carlos Setubal
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91109, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Omolaoye TS, Cardona Maya WD, du Plessis SS. Could exposure to spaceflight cause mutations in genes that affect male fertility? Life Sci Space Res (Amst) 2023; 37:15-17. [PMID: 37087174 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Recently, a study reported that upon analyzing blood samples from 14 astronauts that flew Space Transportation System missions between 1998 and 2001, 34 somatic nonsynonymous single nucleotide variants were detected in 17 CH-driver genes. Of interest is that the cohort consisted of relatively young astronauts, 85% of which were males of reproductive age. Having investigated the genes with nonsynonymous substitutes from the literature, it was found that twelve of these 17 genes appear to play essential roles in male reproduction. Changes in telomere length and gene regulation were also reported in another study conducted on an astronaut during a long duration stay on the International Space Station. Realizing the impact of spaceflight on gene sequence with potential influence on male fertility, it is important that more studies are conducted in this field. Specifically, in light of ultimately colonizing space, multi-generational survival is crucial and strategies to mitigate or counteract such effects should be explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Temidayo S Omolaoye
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Walter D Cardona Maya
- Reproduction Group, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Stefan S du Plessis
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Murali A, Sarkar RR. Mechano-immunology in microgravity. Life Sci Space Res (Amst) 2023; 37:50-64. [PMID: 37087179 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2023.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Life on Earth has evolved to thrive in the Earth's natural gravitational field; however, as space technology advances, we must revisit and investigate the effects of unnatural conditions on human health, such as gravitational change. Studies have shown that microgravity has a negative impact on various systemic parts of humans, with the effects being more severe in the human immune system. Increasing costs, limited experimental time, and sample handling issues hampered our understanding of this field. To address the existing knowledge gap and provide confidence in modelling the phenomena, in this review, we highlight experimental works in mechano-immunology under microgravity and different computational modelling approaches that can be used to address the existing problems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anirudh Murali
- Chemical Engineering and Process Development, CSIR - National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Ram Rup Sarkar
- Chemical Engineering and Process Development, CSIR - National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
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 Sci Space Res (Amst) 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Le H, Rai V, Agrawal DK. Cholesterol: An Important Determinant of Muscle Atrophy in Astronauts. J Biotechnol Biomed 2023; 6:67-79. [PMID: 37006714 PMCID: PMC10062007 DOI: 10.26502/jbb.2642-91280072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Xu L, Zhang X, Li G, Zhang L, Zhang S, Shi F, Hu Z. Inhibition of SIRT1 by miR-138-5p provides a mechanism for inhibiting osteoblast proliferation and promoting apoptosis under simulated microgravity. Life Sci Space Res (Amst) 2023; 36:59-69. [PMID: 36682830 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microgravity can inhibit osteoblast proliferation and promote apoptosis, which is related to a reduction in mechanical stress on the bones and results in disuse osteoporosis, but the detailed mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we first demonstrated that miR-138-5p was upregulated, inhibited osteoblast proliferation and induced osteoblast apoptosis under simulated microgravity. Moreover, miR-138-5p silencing partially mitigated the effects of proliferation and apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells. Our study further showed that sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) was downregulated and negatively correlated with the expression of miR-138-5p under simulated microgravity, which indicated that miR-138-5p inhibited osteoblast proliferation and promoted osteoblast apoptosis by targeting SIRT1. Thus, the miR-138-5p/SIRT1 pathway should be considered for preventative treatment of disuse osteoporosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liqun Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Aerospace Medicine, Ministry of Education, Air Force Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Aerospace Medicine, Ministry of Education, Air Force Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Gaozhi Li
- The Key Laboratory of Aerospace Medicine, Ministry of Education, Air Force Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lijun Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Aerospace Medicine, Ministry of Education, Air Force Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shu Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Aerospace Medicine, Ministry of Education, Air Force Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fei Shi
- The Key Laboratory of Aerospace Medicine, Ministry of Education, Air Force Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zebing Hu
- The Key Laboratory of Aerospace Medicine, Ministry of Education, Air Force Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Pandith JA, Neekhra S, Ahmad S, Sheikh RA. Recent developments in space food for exploration missions: A review. Life Sci Space Res (Amst) 2023; 36:123-134. [PMID: 36682821 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Food and nutrition have greatly influenced the effectiveness of space exploration missions. With the development of technology, attention is now being paid more and more to preparing food for the microgravity environment, taking into account factors like nutrient density, shelf life, optimized packaging, preservations, innovations, challenges, and applications. The spectrum of food products is designed to meet the balanced nutritional requirements, reduce hazards encountered by astronauts, and utilize space in explorers during space missions. For the long duration of space missions and, consequently, for human permanence in space, it is crucial to provide humans with an adequate supply of fresh food to meet their nutritional needs. By doing this, astronauts could reduce the health risks associated with psychological stress, microgravity, and radiation exposure from space. Maintaining astronauts' health, happiness, and vitality during long-duration human-crewed missions has recently emerged as an essential and critical research area. The food they eat appears to be an important factor. For short-term space missions, astronauts' food could be brought from earth. Still, for long-term space missions to the Moon, Mars, and other distant missions, which are the current research destinations, they must find a way to eat, such as by cultivating plants or finding other means of survival. Scientists and researchers are attempting to develop novel food production technologies or systems that require minimal inputs while maximizing safe, nutritionally balanced, and delicious food outputs for long-duration space missions that could benefit people on earth. This review summarizes various aspects of space food, including evolution, innovations, technological advancements to prolong shelf life, and astronauts' problems. It also involves current research, including space foods like 3D printing and space farming for a long-term space mission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junaid Ahmad Pandith
- Department of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India.
| | - Somya Neekhra
- Department of Food Engineering and Technology, Institute of Engineering and Technology, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, 284128, India
| | - Saghir Ahmad
- Department of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India
| | - Rayees Ahmad Sheikh
- Department of Chemistry, Government Degree College Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, 192301, India
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Nguyen CN, Urquieta E. Contemporary review of dermatologic conditions in space flight and future implications for long-duration exploration missions. Life Sci Space Res (Amst) 2023; 36:147-156. [PMID: 36682824 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Future planned exploration missions to outer space will almost surely require the longest periods of continuous space exposure by the human body yet. As the most external organ, the skin seems the most vulnerable to injury. Therefore, discussion of the dermatological implications of such extended-duration missions is critical. OBJECTIVES In order to help future missions understand the risks of spaceflight on the human skin, this review aims to consolidate data from the current literature pertaining to the space environment and its physiologic effects on skin, describe all reported dermatologic manifestations in spaceflight, and extrapolate this information to longer-duration mission. METHODS AND MATERIALS The authors searched PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords and Mesh terms. The publications that were found to be relevant to the objectives were included and described. RESULTS The space environment causes changes in the skin at the cellular level by thinning the epidermis, altering wound healing, and dysregulating the immune system. Clinically, dermatological conditions represented the most common medical issues occurring in spaceflight. We predict that as exploration missions increase in duration, astronauts will experience further physiological changes and an increased rate and severity of adverse events. CONCLUSION Maximizing astronaut safety requires a continued knowledge of the human body's response to space, as well as consideration and prediction of future events. Dermatologic effects of space missions comprise the majority of health-related issues arising on missions to outer space, and these issues are likely to become more prominent with increasing time spent in space. Improvements in hygiene may mitigate some of these conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Emmanuel Urquieta
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Center for Space Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine. Houston TX, United States; Translational Research Institute for Space Health, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Binneboessel S, Masyuk M, Piayda K, Bruno RR, Wernly B, Jirak P, Wolff G, Gerdes N, Baldia PH, Kelm M, Nienhaus F, Lang A, Winkels H, Geerling G, Guthoff R, Kaya S, Flossmann G, Riemer T, Baertschi M, Jung C. Rational and design of the REMOTE trial: An exploratory, pilot study to analyze REtinal MicrOcirculaTion in wEightlessness. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2023; 84:449-457. [PMID: 36683506 DOI: 10.3233/ch-221691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND "Spaceflight associated neuro-ocular syndrome" (SANS) represents a challenging health condition in modern space medicine. Forty-eight percent of astronauts are diagnosed with SANS after long-term space missions. The pathophysiological mechanism seems to be multifactorial, and yet remains unknown. In this proof-of-concept study we plan to investigate retinal microcirculatory changes in weightlessness and aim to identify their role in the development of SANS. METHODS AND DESIGN Healthy individuals will take part in a parabolic flight campaign, which recreates fractioned total weightlessness periods. The airplane is specifically equipped, and designed for the execution of parabolic flight maneuvers and scientific research in microgravity. Retinal microcirculation will be assessed with a modified fundus camera, which allows dynamic vessel analysis. We will additionally measure intra-ocular pressure and hemodynamic changes during each phase of the flight. Blood samples will be analyzed at baseline, one hour and 24 hours after exposure to weightlessness. CONCLUSIONS This pilot study aims to investigate the feasibility of retinal microcirculation assessment during varying gravity. Results of this study may generate insights whether venous stasis in the eye, surrogated by the dilatation of retinal vessels and increase in intraocular pressure as signs of venous insufficiency, may potentially contribute to the development of SANS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Binneboessel
- Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Vascular Medicine, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Maryna Masyuk
- Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Vascular Medicine, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Kerstin Piayda
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Medical Faculty, Giessen, Germany
| | - Raphael Romano Bruno
- Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Vascular Medicine, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Bernhard Wernly
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Perioperative Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Peter Jirak
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Perioperative Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Georg Wolff
- Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Vascular Medicine, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Norbert Gerdes
- Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Vascular Medicine, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Philipp Heinrich Baldia
- Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Vascular Medicine, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Malte Kelm
- Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Vascular Medicine, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Fabian Nienhaus
- Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Vascular Medicine, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Alexander Lang
- Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Vascular Medicine, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Holger Winkels
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Clinic III for InternalMedicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gerd Geerling
- Department of Ophthalmology, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, MedicalFaculty, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Rainer Guthoff
- Department of Ophthalmology, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, MedicalFaculty, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Sema Kaya
- Department of Ophthalmology, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, MedicalFaculty, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Christian Jung
- Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Vascular Medicine, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Duesseldorf, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Torday JS. Consciousness, embodied Quantum Entanglement. Prog Biophys Mol Biol 2023; 177:125-128. [PMID: 36368375 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2022.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
We have systematically misconstrued the nature of consciousness by overlooking our own physiology as that awareness. The following is a way to rectify this error through a deep understanding of what life 'means' in order to further advance our knowledge of who and what we are. The evolution of consciousness from the cell membrane to physiology is revealed by the effect of microgravity on phenotypic identity, revealing the two levels of consciousness experimentally. As does the classic Double-Slit experiment, exposing the dual way in which consciousness functions as both the day-to-day of the cell membrane and the transcendent property of our physiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John S Torday
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 90095, Westwood, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Wong CP, Branscum AJ, Fichter AR, Sargent J, Iwaniec UT, Turner RT. Cold stress during room temperature housing alters skeletal response to simulated microgravity (hindlimb unloading) in growing female C57BL6 mice. Biochimie 2022:S0300-9084(22)00333-9. [PMID: 36584865 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2022.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Laboratory mice are typically housed at temperatures below the thermoneutral zone for the species, resulting in cold stress and premature cancellous bone loss. Furthermore, mice are more dependent upon non-shivering thermogenesis to maintain body temperature during spaceflight, suggesting that microgravity-induced bone loss may be due, in part, to altered thermogenesis. Consequently, we assessed whether housing mice at room temperature modifies the skeletal response to simulated microgravity. This possibility was tested using the hindlimb unloading (HLU) model to mechanically unload femora. Humeri were also assessed as they remain weight bearing during HLU. Six-week-old female C57BL6 (B6) mice were housed at room temperature (22 °C) or near thermoneutral (32 °C) and HLU for 2 weeks. Compared to baseline, HLU resulted in cortical bone loss in femur, but the magnitude of reduction was greater in mice housed at 22 °C. Cancellous osteopenia in distal femur (metaphysis and epiphysis) was noted in HLU mice housed at both temperatures. However, bone loss occurred at 22 °C, whereas the bone deficit at 32 °C was due to failure to accrue bone. HLU resulted in cortical and cancellous bone deficits (compared to baseline) in humeri of mice housed at 22 °C. In contrast, fewer osteopenic changes were detected in mice housed at 32 °C. These findings support the hypothesis that environmental temperature alters the skeletal response to HLU in growing female mice in a bone compartment-specific manner. Taken together, species differences in thermoregulation should be taken into consideration when interpreting the skeletal response to simulated microgravity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen P Wong
- Skeletal Biology Laboratory, School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Adam J Branscum
- Biostatistics Program, School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Aidan R Fichter
- Skeletal Biology Laboratory, School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Jennifer Sargent
- Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331 USA
| | - Urszula T Iwaniec
- Skeletal Biology Laboratory, School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA; Center for Healthy Aging Research, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Russell T Turner
- Skeletal Biology Laboratory, School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA; Center for Healthy Aging Research, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Gatt C, Tierney BT, Madrigal P, Mason CE, Beheshti A, Telzerow A, Benes V, Zahra G, Bonett J, Cassar K, Borg J. The Maleth program: Malta's first space mission discoveries on the microbiome of diabetic foot ulcers. Heliyon 2022; 8:e12075. [PMID: 36544819 PMCID: PMC9761711 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of the Maleth Program, also known as Project Maleth, is Malta's first space program to evaluate human skin tissue microbiome changes in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients afflicted with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). This was carried out in both ground-based models and spaceflight. The first mission (Maleth I) under this program was carried out to uncover the effects of spaceflight, microgravity and radiation on human skin tissue microbiome samples from six T2DM patients recruited into the study. Each patient human skin tissue sample was split in three, with one section processed immediately for genomic profiling by 16S typing and the rest were processed for longer term ground-control and spaceflight experiments. Ground-control and spaceflight human skin tissue samples were also processed for genomic profiling upon mission re-entry and completion. Maleth I's overall objective was achieved, as human skin tissue samples with their microbiomes travelled to space and back yielding positive results by both standard microbiology techniques and genetic typing using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Preliminary findings of this mission are discussed in light of its innovative approach at DFU microbiome research, and the clinical implications that may emerge from this and other future similar studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christine Gatt
- Department of Applied Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida MSD, 2080, Malta
| | - Braden T. Tierney
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Pedro Madrigal
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, EMBL-EBI, Hinxton CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Christopher E. Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, 10065, USA,The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA,WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA,The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Afshin Beheshti
- KBR, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Anja Telzerow
- Genomics Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Vladimir Benes
- Genomics Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Graziella Zahra
- Molecular Diagnostics for Infectious Diseases, Department of Pathology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | - Jurgen Bonett
- Ministry for Health, Primary HealthCare, Floriana, Malta
| | - Kevin Cassar
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Valletta, Malta
| | - Joseph Borg
- Department of Applied Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida MSD, 2080, Malta,Corresponding author.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Wang H, Gao L, Chen X, Zhang C. Study on mass transfer in the bone lacunar-canalicular system under different gravity fields. J Bone Miner Metab 2022; 40:940-950. [PMID: 36350408 DOI: 10.1007/s00774-022-01373-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The bone lacunar-canalicular system (LCS) is an important microstructural basis for signaling and material transport in bone tissue, guaranteeing normal physiological processes in tissues. Spaceflight astronauts and elderly osteoporosis are related to its function, so it is necessary to reveal the mass transfer laws in bone microstructure under different gravity fields to provide insight for effective clinical treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using the natural LCS structure of bovine tibial cortical bone as the object, the mass transfer experiments on cortical bone were conducted by using sodium fluorescein tracer through different frequency pulsating pressure provided by dynamic perfusion loading device and different high G environments provided by high-speed centrifuge to analyze the mass transfer laws under different gravity fields and different pulsating pressures. RESULTS The fluorescence intensity of lacunae within the osteon was lower the farther away from the Haversian canal. As the gravity field magnitude increased, the fluorescence intensity within each lacuna enhanced, and the more distant the lacunae from the Haversian canal, the greater the fluorescence intensity enhancement. High-frequency pulsating pressure simulated high-intensity exercise in humans can improve mass transfer efficiency in the LCS. CONCLUSION High-intensity exercise may greatly increase solute molecules, nutrients, and signaling molecules in osteocytes and improve the activity of osteocytes. Hypergravity can enhance the transport of solute molecules, nutrients, and signaling molecules in the LCS, especially promoting mass transfer to deep layer lacunae. Conversely, mass transfer to deep layer lacunae may be inhibited under microgravity, causing bone loss and ultimately leading to osteoporosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Advanced Mechatronic System Design and Intelligent Control, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Education, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, 300384, People's Republic of China
| | - Lilan Gao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Advanced Mechatronic System Design and Intelligent Control, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Education, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, 300384, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuyi Chen
- Characteristic Medical Center of People's Armed Police Forces, Institute of Brain Trauma and Neurological Diseases of the Armed Police Force, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chunqiu Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Advanced Mechatronic System Design and Intelligent Control, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Education, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, 300384, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Mu X, He W, Rivera VAM, De Alba RAD, Newman DJ, Zhang YS. Small tissue chips with big opportunities for space medicine. Life Sci Space Res (Amst) 2022; 35:150-157. [PMID: 36336360 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The spaceflight environment, including microgravity and radiation, may have considerable effects on the health and performance of astronauts, especially for long-duration and Martian missions. Conventional on-ground and in-space experimental approaches have been employed to investigate the comprehensive biological effects of the spaceflight environment. As a class of recently emerging bioengineered in vitro models, tissue chips are characterized by a small footprint, potential automation, and the recapitulation of tissue-level physiology, thus promising to help provide molecular and cellular insights into space medicine. Here, we briefly review the technical advantages of tissue chips and discuss specific on-chip physiological recapitulations. Several tissue chips have been launched into space, and more are poised to come through multi-agency collaborations, implying an increasingly important role of tissue chips in space medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Mu
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA; Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Iowa, IA 52242, USA
| | - Weishen He
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Victoria Abril Manjarrez Rivera
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Raul Armando Duran De Alba
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Dava J Newman
- MIT Media Lab, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Yu Shrike Zhang
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Weber BM, Schätzle S, Stelzer M. Aiming performance during spaceflight: Individual adaptation to microgravity and the benefits of haptic support. Appl Ergon 2022; 103:103791. [PMID: 35588558 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Sensorimotor performance is known to deteriorate during spaceflight. Prior research for instance documented that targeted arm motions are performed slower and less precise in microgravity conditions. This article describes an experiment on aiming performance during different stages of a space mission. Moreover, the influence of different haptic settings of the human-machine interface (HMI) was explored. Two separate studies are presented in which the same aiming tasks were performed with a force feedback joystick: 1) A terrestrial study (N = 20) to explore time and haptic setting effects and 2) a space experiment (N = 3) with a pre-mission session, three mission sessions on board the ISS (2, 4, and 6 weeks in space), and a post-mission session. Results showed that sensorimotor performance was mainly affected in the initial phase of exposure to microgravity and this effect was moderated by astronauts' sensorimotor skills. Providing low stiffness at the HMI, however, proved to be an effective measure to maintain aiming precision in microgravity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard M Weber
- German Aerospace Center, Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics, 82234, Wessling, Germany.
| | - Simon Schätzle
- Sensor-Technik Wiedemann GmbH, 87600, Kaufbeuren, Germany
| | - Martin Stelzer
- German Aerospace Center, Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics, 82234, Wessling, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Vroom MM, Troncoso-Garcia A, Duscher AA, Foster JS. Modeled microgravity alters apoptotic gene expression and caspase activity in the squid-vibrio symbiosis. BMC Microbiol 2022; 22:202. [PMID: 35982413 PMCID: PMC9389742 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-022-02614-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Spaceflight is a novel and profoundly stressful environment for life. One aspect of spaceflight, microgravity, has been shown to perturb animal physiology thereby posing numerous health risks, including dysregulation of normal developmental pathways. Microgravity can also negatively impact the interactions between animals and their microbiomes. However, the effects of microgravity on developmental processes influenced by beneficial microbes, such as apoptosis, remains poorly understood. Here, the binary mutualism between the bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes, and the gram-negative bacterium, Vibrio fischeri, was studied under modeled microgravity conditions to elucidate how this unique stressor alters apoptotic cell death induced by beneficial microbes. Results Analysis of the host genome and transcriptome revealed a complex network of apoptosis genes affiliated with extrinsic/receptor-mediated and intrinsic/stress-induced apoptosis. Expression of apoptosis genes under modeled microgravity conditions occurred earlier and at high levels compared to gravity controls, in particular the expression of genes encoding initiator and executioner caspases. Functional assays of these apoptotic proteases revealed heightened activity under modeled microgravity; however, these increases could be mitigated using caspase inhibitors. Conclusions The outcomes of this study indicated that modeled microgravity alters the expression of both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis gene expression and that this process is mediated in part by caspases. Modeled microgravity-associated increases of caspase activity can be pharmacologically inhibited suggesting that perturbations to the normal apoptosis signaling cascade can be mitigated, which may have broader implications for maintaining animal-microbial homeostasis in spaceflight. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12866-022-02614-x.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madeline M Vroom
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Space Life Science Lab, University of Florida, Merritt Island, FL, 32953, USA
| | - Angel Troncoso-Garcia
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Space Life Science Lab, University of Florida, Merritt Island, FL, 32953, USA
| | - Alexandrea A Duscher
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Space Life Science Lab, University of Florida, Merritt Island, FL, 32953, USA
| | - Jamie S Foster
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Space Life Science Lab, University of Florida, Merritt Island, FL, 32953, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Oikonomidou O, Evgenidis S, Argyropoulos C, Zabulis X, Karamaoynas P, Raza MQ, Sebilleau J, Ronshin F, Chinaud M, Garivalis AI, Kostoglou M, Sielaff A, Schinnerl M, Stephan P, Colin C, Tadrist L, Kabov O, Di Marco P, Karapantsios T. Bubble growth analysis during subcooled boiling experiments on-board the international space station: Benchmark image analysis. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 308:102751. [PMID: 36027672 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2022.102751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This work compares four different image processing algorithms for the analysis of image data obtained during the Multiscale Boiling Experiment of ESA, executed on-board the International Space Station. Two separate experimental campaigns have been performed in 2019 and 2020, aiming to investigate boiling phenomena in microgravity, with and without the presence of shear flow and electric field. A heated substrate, at the bottom of the test cell, creates a temperature profile across the liquid bulk above it. A laser beam hits a designated microcavity at the middle of the substrate, to initiate nucleation of a single, isolated bubble. In the presence of shear flow or electric field forces, the bubble slides or detaches respectively, leaving the cavity free for the nucleation and growth of a new bubble. The growth of such a bubble within the prescribed temperature profile is studied for varying experimental conditions (i.e. pressure, heat flux, subcooling temperature) by capturing high speed, black and white video images. The presence of light reflections at random locations around the bubble contour vary with bubble size and population. This, combined with the refraction induced optical distortion of vertical image dimension close to the heater, make the accurate detection of bubbles contour a real challenge. Four research teams, namely the University of Pisa (UNIPI), the Institute of Fluid Mechanics of Toulouse (IMFT), the joint group of Aix Marseille University (AMU) and Kutateladze Institute of Thermophysics (IT), and the joined group of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), Technical University of Darmstadt (TUD) and Foundation of Research and Technology in Crete (FORTH), developed separate specialized algorithms to: a) detect bubble edges and b) use these edges to calculate basic bubble geometrical features, such as contact line diameter, bubble diameter and contact angles. These four different approaches diverge in complexity and concept. In the absence of reference measurements at microgravity conditions, measurements efficiency is evaluated based on the comparison of the estimated bubble geometrical features along with pertinent physical arguments. Results show that the efficiency of each approach varies with the nature of measurement. The studied benchmark dataset is published allowing other research groups to test further their own image processing algorithms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- O Oikonomidou
- Department of Chemical Technology and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Aristotle University, University Box 116, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - S Evgenidis
- Department of Chemical Technology and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Aristotle University, University Box 116, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - C Argyropoulos
- Department of Chemical Technology and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Aristotle University, University Box 116, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - X Zabulis
- Department of Chemical Technology and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Aristotle University, University Box 116, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology, Hellas, N. Plastira 100 Vassilika Vouton, 700 13 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - P Karamaoynas
- Department of Chemical Technology and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Aristotle University, University Box 116, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology, Hellas, N. Plastira 100 Vassilika Vouton, 700 13 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - M Q Raza
- Institut de Mécanique des Fluides de Toulouse, Université de Toulouse, UMR 5502, CNRS-INPT-UPS, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - J Sebilleau
- Institut de Mécanique des Fluides de Toulouse, Université de Toulouse, UMR 5502, CNRS-INPT-UPS, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - F Ronshin
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, Laboratoire IUSTI, UMR 7343, 13453 Marseille, France; Kutateladze Institute of Thermophysics, Lavrentyev Prospekt, 1, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - M Chinaud
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, Laboratoire IUSTI, UMR 7343, 13453 Marseille, France
| | - A I Garivalis
- DESTEC, University of Pisa, Largo L. Lazzarino 1, 56122 Pisa, Italy
| | - M Kostoglou
- Department of Chemical Technology and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Aristotle University, University Box 116, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - A Sielaff
- Institute for Technical Thermodynamics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Str. 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - M Schinnerl
- Institute for Technical Thermodynamics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Str. 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - P Stephan
- Institute for Technical Thermodynamics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Str. 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - C Colin
- Institut de Mécanique des Fluides de Toulouse, Université de Toulouse, UMR 5502, CNRS-INPT-UPS, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - L Tadrist
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, Laboratoire IUSTI, UMR 7343, 13453 Marseille, France
| | - O Kabov
- Kutateladze Institute of Thermophysics, Lavrentyev Prospekt, 1, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - P Di Marco
- DESTEC, University of Pisa, Largo L. Lazzarino 1, 56122 Pisa, Italy
| | - T Karapantsios
- Department of Chemical Technology and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Aristotle University, University Box 116, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Zhang X, Zhang S, Wang T. How the mechanical microenvironment of stem cell growth affects their differentiation: a review. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:415. [PMID: 35964140 PMCID: PMC9375355 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-03070-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell differentiation is of great interest in medical research; however, specifically and effectively regulating stem cell differentiation is still a challenge. In addition to chemical factors, physical signals are an important component of the stem cell ecotone. The mechanical microenvironment of stem cells has a huge role in stem cell differentiation. Herein, we describe the knowledge accumulated to date on the mechanical environment in which stem cells exist, which consists of various factors, including the extracellular matrix and topology, substrate stiffness, shear stress, hydrostatic pressure, tension, and microgravity. We then detail the currently known signalling pathways that stem cells use to perceive the mechanical environment, including those involving nuclear factor-kB, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, the piezoelectric mechanosensitive ion channel, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α. Using this information in clinical settings to treat diseases is the goal of this research, and we describe the progress that has been made. In this review, we examined the effects of mechanical factors in the stem cell growth microenvironment on stem cell differentiation, how mechanical signals are transmitted to and function within the cell, and the influence of mechanical factors on the use of stem cells in clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofang Zhang
- Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, China
| | - Sibo Zhang
- China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Tianlu Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Belavy DL, Armbrecht G, Albracht K, Brisby H, Falla D, Scheuring R, Sovelius R, Wilke HJ, Rennerfelt K, Martinez-Valdes E, Arvanitidis M, Goell F, Braunstein B, Kaczorowski S, Karner V, Arora NK. Cervical spine and muscle adaptation after spaceflight and relationship to herniation risk: protocol from 'Cervical in Space' trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2022; 23:772. [PMID: 35964076 PMCID: PMC9375326 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-022-05684-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Astronauts have a higher risk of cervical intervertebral disc herniation. Several mechanisms have been attributed as causative factors for this increased risk. However, most of the previous studies have examined potential causal factors for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation only. Hence, we aim to conduct a study to identify the various changes in the cervical spine that lead to an increased risk of cervical disc herniation after spaceflight. Methods A cohort study with astronauts will be conducted. The data collection will involve four main components: a) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); b) cervical 3D kinematics; c) an Integrated Protocol consisting of maximal and submaximal voluntary contractions of the neck muscles, endurance testing of the neck muscles, neck muscle fatigue testing and questionnaires; and d) dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) examination. Measurements will be conducted at several time points before and after astronauts visit the International Space Station. The main outcomes of interest are adaptations in the cervical discs, muscles and bones. Discussion Astronauts are at higher risk of cervical disc herniation, but contributing factors remain unclear. The results of this study will inform future preventive measures for astronauts and will also contribute to the understanding of intervertebral disc herniation risk in the cervical spine for people on Earth. In addition, we anticipate deeper insight into the aetiology of neck pain with this research project. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00026777. Registered on 08 October 2021. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-022-05684-0.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel L Belavy
- Department of Applied Health Sciences, Division of Physiotherapy, Hochschule für Gesundheit (University of Applied Sciences), Gesundheitscampus 6-8, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Gabriele Armbrecht
- Center for Muscle and Bone Research, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kirsten Albracht
- Department of Medical Engineering and Technomathematics, Aachen University of Applied Sciences, Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Movement and Neuroscience, German Sport University, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, Cologne, 50933, Germany
| | - Helena Brisby
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 415 45, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Deborah Falla
- Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Richard Scheuring
- NASA Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway SD4, Houston, TX, 77058, USA
| | - Roope Sovelius
- Centre for Military Medicine, Satakunta Air Command, P.O.Box 761, 33101, Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Kajsa Rennerfelt
- Orthopaedics and Spine Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Bruna Stråket 11B, Göteborg, 413 45, Sweden
| | - Eduardo Martinez-Valdes
- Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Michail Arvanitidis
- Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Fabian Goell
- Institute of Movement and Neuroscience, German Sport University, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, Cologne, 50933, Germany
| | - Bjoern Braunstein
- Institute of Movement and Neuroscience, German Sport University, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, Cologne, 50933, Germany.,Institute of Biomechanics and Orthopaedics, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany
| | - Svenja Kaczorowski
- Department of Applied Health Sciences, Division of Physiotherapy, Hochschule für Gesundheit (University of Applied Sciences), Gesundheitscampus 6-8, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Vera Karner
- Department of Applied Health Sciences, Division of Physiotherapy, Hochschule für Gesundheit (University of Applied Sciences), Gesundheitscampus 6-8, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Nitin Kumar Arora
- Department of Applied Health Sciences, Division of Physiotherapy, Hochschule für Gesundheit (University of Applied Sciences), Gesundheitscampus 6-8, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Teng Z, Luo Y, Pearlstein DJ, Zhou B, Johnson CM, Mowery J, Wang Q, Fonseca JM. Agarose hydrogel composite supports microgreen cultivation with enhanced porosity and continuous water supply under terrestrial and microgravitational conditions. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 220:135-46. [PMID: 35963353 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.08.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogels are attractive soilless media for plant cultivation with strong water and nutrient retention. However, pristine hydrogels contain mostly ultra-micro pores and lack air-filled porosity for root zone aeration. Herein we report a porous hydrogel composite comprising an agarose network and porous growing mix particle (GMP) fillers. The agarose backbone allowed the composite to sustain a 12-d growth cycle for red cabbage microgreens without the need for watering or crew interaction. Moreover, the GMP induced greater total pore volume and increased the prevalence of pores >30 μm by 8-fold. Further investigation suggested that the nutrients from GMP accounted for a 54 % increase in microgreen yield over pristine hydrogel, while the porous structure introduced by GMP improved the yield by another 44 %. Increased air-filled porosity accelerated the water transport and loss of hydrogel but maintained favorable water potential levels for plant extraction. Finally, the hydrogel composite supported microgreen growth satisfyingly under simulated microgravity despite some morphological changes. Results of this study reveal a novel growth substrate that is lightweight, convenient, and water-efficient, while effectively sustaining plant growth for multiple applications including indoor farming and space farming.
Collapse
|
47
|
Blocker A, Lostroscio K, Carey SL. Biomechanics of healthy subjects during exercise on a simulated vibration isolation and stabilization system. Life Sci Space Res (Amst) 2022; 34:16-20. [PMID: 35940685 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
With long-term space flights being planned for the Moon and Mars, proper countermeasures must be taken to facilitate human health in microgravity environments. Exercise is a vital countermeasure used to prevent bone and muscle loss, among other health interests. Future exploration missions encourage creating an exercise device that is both compact and can be used to properly execute exercise by the astronauts. Current design considerations include interfacing an exercise device with a vibration isolation and stabilization (VIS) system, which is necessary for protecting the spacecraft and sensitive experiments from harmful vibrations developed during repetitive exercise. This human factor study assesses the feasibility of a VIS system exercise device by using the Computer Assistive Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) to simulate characteristics of the system. The CAREN includes a 6 degree of freedom (DOF) platform, force plates and a motion capture system. An algorithm was developed using the D-Flow software to move the platform in 1 and 2 DOF sinusoidal responses. Multiple sinusoidal frequencies for platform motion during subject exercise were evaluated. Four subjects completed squat and row exercises on the CAREN while their motion was recorded. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected from each subject. Trials were executed with 1-2 DOF motion in heave and pitch. Results conclude that subjects completed exercises with adequate range of motion (ROM) and ground reaction forces (GRF) during each trial. Certain environments, such as movement at a slower frequency (0.10 Hz) and movement of heave and pitch at differing frequencies, caused loss of balance indicated by grabbing of the handrail in some subjects and difficulty in synchronization between the subjects and the platform. This indicates that VIS system design should focus on frequency of movements centering around subjects' natural exercise frequencies if possible. This study serves as a proof of concept for using CAREN and programming tool D-Flow to simulate platform movement on VIS system design. Further experimentation will test more detailed designs, including active and passive systems that will move based on real-time subject data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abby Blocker
- Department of Medical Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, ENG 030, Tampa, FL 33620, United States.
| | - Kaitlin Lostroscio
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, ENB 118, Tampa, FL 33620, United States.
| | - Stephanie L Carey
- Department of Medical Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, ENG 030, Tampa, FL 33620, United States; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, ENB 118, Tampa, FL 33620, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Greene KA, Tooze JA, Lenchik L, Weaver AA. Change in Lumbar Muscle Size and Composition on MRI with Long-Duration Spaceflight. Ann Biomed Eng 2022; 50:816-824. [PMID: 35459964 PMCID: PMC9167780 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-022-02968-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Prolonged microgravity results in muscle atrophy, especially among the anti-gravity spinal muscles. How individual paravertebral muscle groups change in size and composition with spaceflight needs further exploration. This study investigates lumbar spine musculature changes among six crewmembers on long-duration space missions using non-invasive measurement of muscle changes with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Pre- and post-flight lumbar images were analyzed for changes in cross-sectional area, volume, and fat infiltration of the psoas (PS), quadratus lumborum (QL), and paraspinal [erector spinae and multifidus (ES + MF)] muscles using mixed models. Crewmembers used onboard exercise equipment, including a cycle ergometer (CEVIS), treadmill (T2/COLBERT), and the advanced resistive exercise device (ARED). Correlations were used to assess muscle changes related to exercise modality. There was substantial variability in muscle changes across crewmembers but collectively a significant decrease in paraspinal area (- 9.0 ± 4.8%, p = 0.04) and a significant increase in QL fat infiltration (7.3 ± 4.1%, p = 0.05). More CEVIS time may have protected against PS volume loss (p = 0.05) and PS fat infiltration (p < 0.01), and more ARED usage may have protected against ES + MF volume loss (p = 0.05). Crewmembers using modern onboard exercise equipment may be less susceptible to muscle changes. However, variability between crewmembers and muscle size and quality losses suggest additional research is needed to ensure in-flight countermeasures preserve muscle health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn A Greene
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Injury Biomechanics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Janet A Tooze
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Leon Lenchik
- Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Ashley A Weaver
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Injury Biomechanics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Henrich M, Ha P, Wang Y, Ting K, Stodieck L, Soo C, Adams JS, Chun R. Alternative splicing diversifies the skeletal muscle transcriptome during prolonged spaceflight. Skelet Muscle 2022; 12:11. [PMID: 35642060 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-022-00294-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [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.
Collapse
|