1
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Salazar M, Joly S, Anglada-Escudé G, Ribas L. Epigenetic and physiological alterations in zebrafish subjected to hypergravity. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300310. [PMID: 38776274 PMCID: PMC11111069 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Gravity is one of the most constant environmental factors across Earth's evolution and all organisms are adapted to it. Consequently, spatial exploration has captured the interest in studying the biological changes that physiological alterations are caused by gravity. In the last two decades, epigenetics has explained how environmental cues can alter gene functions in organisms. Although many studies addressed gravity, the underlying biological and molecular mechanisms that occur in altered gravity for those epigenetics-related mechanisms, are mostly inexistent. The present study addressed the effects of hypergravity on development, behavior, gene expression, and most importantly, on the epigenetic changes in a worldwide animal model, the zebrafish (Danio rerio). To perform hypergravity experiments, a custom-centrifuge simulating the large diameter centrifuge (100 rpm ~ 3 g) was designed and zebrafish embryos were exposed during 5 days post fertilization (dpf). Results showed a significant decrease in survival at 2 dpf but no significance in the hatching rate. Physiological and morphological alterations including fish position, movement frequency, and swimming behavior showed significant changes due to hypergravity. Epigenetic studies showed significant hypermethylation of the genome of the zebrafish larvae subjected to 5 days of hypergravity. Downregulation of the gene expression of three epigenetic-related genes (dnmt1, dnmt3, and tet1), although not significant, was further observed. Taken altogether, gravity alterations affected biological responses including epigenetics in fish, providing a valuable roadmap of the putative hazards of living beyond Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Salazar
- Department of Renewable Marine Resources, Institut de Ciències del Mar—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICM-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Joly
- Department of Renewable Marine Resources, Institut de Ciències del Mar—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICM-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Guillem Anglada-Escudé
- Department of Astrophysics, Institut de Ciències de l’Espai—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICE-CSIC), UAB Campus at Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya–IEEC/CERCA, Gran Capità, 2–4, Edifici Nexus, Despatx 201, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Ribas
- Department of Renewable Marine Resources, Institut de Ciències del Mar—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICM-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
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2
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Perdyan A, Jąkalski M, Horbacz M, Beheshti A, Mieczkowski J. Chromosomal positioning and epigenetic architecture influence DNA methylation patterns triggered by galactic cosmic radiation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1324. [PMID: 38225252 PMCID: PMC10789781 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51756-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite surging interest in space travel in recent decades, the impacts of prolonged, elevated exposure to galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) on human health remain poorly understood. This form of ionizing radiation causes significant changes to biological systems including damage to DNA structure by altering epigenetic phenotype with emphasis on DNA methylation. Building on previous work by Kennedy et al. (Sci Rep 8(1): 6709. 10.1038/S41598-018-24755-8), we evaluated spatial DNA methylation patterns triggered by high-LET (56Fe, 28Si) and low-LET (X-ray) radiation and the influence of chromosome positioning and epigenetic architecture in distinct radial layers of cell nucleus. Next, we validated our results using gene expression data of mice irradiated with simulated GCR and JAXA astronauts. We showed that primarily 56Fe induces a persistent DNA methylation increase whereas 28Si and X-ray induce a decrease DNA methylation which is not persistent with time. Moreover, we highlighted the role of nuclear chromatin architecture in cell response to external radiation. In summary, our study provides novel insights towards epigenetic and transcriptomic response as well as chromatin multidimensional structure influence on galactic cosmic radiation damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Perdyan
- International Research Agenda 3P - Medicine Laboratory, Medical University of Gdansk, Marii Sklodowskiej Curie 3a, 80-210, Gdansk, Poland
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Marcin Jąkalski
- International Research Agenda 3P - Medicine Laboratory, Medical University of Gdansk, Marii Sklodowskiej Curie 3a, 80-210, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Monika Horbacz
- International Research Agenda 3P - Medicine Laboratory, Medical University of Gdansk, Marii Sklodowskiej Curie 3a, 80-210, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Afshin Beheshti
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jakub Mieczkowski
- International Research Agenda 3P - Medicine Laboratory, Medical University of Gdansk, Marii Sklodowskiej Curie 3a, 80-210, Gdansk, Poland.
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3
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Ahn JH, Park S, Hwang YM, Choi YS, Yi JW. Morphologic and genomic changes of thyroid cancer cell lines exposed to conditions of simulated microgravity. NPJ Microgravity 2024; 10:8. [PMID: 38225447 PMCID: PMC10789769 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-024-00346-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Microgravity in space impacts human health. In particular, thyroid cancer, which has a high incidence rate, has been the subject of numerous studies with respect to microgravity. However, most studies have focused on Western follicular thyroid cancer cell lines, while data regarding the effects of microgravity on Asian cell lines are lacking. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of simulated ground-based microgravity on two Korean thyroid cancer cell lines, namely SNU-790 and SNU-80. We found that both cell lines formed multicellular spheroids under simulated microgravity. Gene expression analysis revealed that in SNU-790 cells, histone-related genes were upregulated and microRNA-related genes were downregulated. Meanwhile, in SNU-80 cells, genes related to the cellular response to hypoxia were downregulated. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the effects of microgravity on thyroid cancer cells. Further validation studies and clinical significance analyses are needed to fully understand the implications of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Hyuk Ahn
- Department of Surgery, lnha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
- Department of Surgery, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Sungyeon Park
- College of Medicine, The Inha University of Korea, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Mi Hwang
- Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Inha University Research and Business Foundation, Incheon, Korea
| | - Yun Suk Choi
- Department of Surgery, lnha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
- Department of Surgery, lnha University Hospital, Incheon, Korea
| | - Jin Wook Yi
- Department of Surgery, lnha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
- Department of Surgery, lnha University Hospital, Incheon, Korea.
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4
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Gorbacheva EY, Sventitskaya MA, Biryukov NS, Ogneva IV. The Oxidative Phosphorylation and Cytoskeleton Proteins of Mouse Ovaries after 96 Hours of Hindlimb Suspension. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2332. [PMID: 38137934 PMCID: PMC10744499 DOI: 10.3390/life13122332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in mouse ovaries, determine the relative content of proteins that form the respiratory chain complexes and the main structures of the cytoskeleton, and determine the mRNA of the corresponding genes after hindlimb suspension for 96 h. After hindlimb suspension, the maximum rate of oxygen uptake increased by 133% (p < 0.05) compared to the control due to the complex I of the respiratory chain. The content of mRNA of genes encoding the main components of the respiratory chain increased (cyt c by 78%, cox IV by 56%, ATPase by 69%, p < 0.05 compared with the control). The relative content of cytoskeletal proteins that can participate in the processes of transport and localization of mitochondria does not change, with the exception of an increase in the content of alpha-tubulin by 25% (p < 0.05) and its acetylated isoform (by 36%, p < 0.05); however, the mRNA content of these cytoskeletal genes did not differ from the control. The content of GDF9 mRNA does not change after hindlimb suspension. The data obtained show that short-term exposure to simulated weightlessness leads to intensification of metabolism in the ovaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Yu. Gorbacheva
- Cell Biophysics Laboratory, State Scientific Center of the Russian Federation Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 76a, Khoroshevskoyoe shosse, Moscow 123007, Russia; (E.Y.G.); (N.S.B.); (I.V.O.)
- Gynecology Department, FGBU KB1 (Volynskaya) UDP RF, 10, Starovolynskaya Str., Moscow 121352, Russia
| | - Maria A. Sventitskaya
- Cell Biophysics Laboratory, State Scientific Center of the Russian Federation Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 76a, Khoroshevskoyoe shosse, Moscow 123007, Russia; (E.Y.G.); (N.S.B.); (I.V.O.)
- Medical and Biological Physics Department, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 8-2 Trubetskaya St., Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Nikolay S. Biryukov
- Cell Biophysics Laboratory, State Scientific Center of the Russian Federation Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 76a, Khoroshevskoyoe shosse, Moscow 123007, Russia; (E.Y.G.); (N.S.B.); (I.V.O.)
- Medical and Biological Physics Department, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 8-2 Trubetskaya St., Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Irina V. Ogneva
- Cell Biophysics Laboratory, State Scientific Center of the Russian Federation Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 76a, Khoroshevskoyoe shosse, Moscow 123007, Russia; (E.Y.G.); (N.S.B.); (I.V.O.)
- Medical and Biological Physics Department, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 8-2 Trubetskaya St., Moscow 119991, Russia
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Wernlé K, Thiel CS, Ullrich O. Increased H3K9me3 and F-Actin Reorganization in the Rapid Adaptive Response to Hypergravity in Human T Lymphocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17232. [PMID: 38139061 PMCID: PMC10743231 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Our study explored the impact of hypergravity on human T cells, which experience additional acceleration forces beyond Earth's gravity due to various factors, such as pulsatile blood flow, and technology, such as high-performance aircraft flights or spaceflights. We investigated the histone modifications Histone 3 lysine 4 and 9 trimethylation (H3K4me3 and H3K9me3, respectively), as well as the structural and cytoskeletal organization of Jurkat T cells in response to hypergravity. Histone modifications play a crucial role in gene regulation, chromatin organization and DNA repair. In response to hypergravity, we found only minimal changes of H3K4me3 and a rapid increase in H3K9me3, which was sustained for up to 15 min and then returned to control levels after 1 h. Furthermore, rapid changes in F-actin fluorescence were observed within seconds of hypergravity exposure, indicating filament depolymerization and cytoskeletal restructuring, which subsequently recovered after 1 h of hypergravity. Our study demonstrated the rapid, dynamic and adaptive cellular response to hypergravity, particularly in terms of histone modifications and cytoskeletal changes. These responses are likely necessary for maintaining genome stability and structural integrity under hypergravity conditions as they are constantly occurring in the human body during blood cell circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendra Wernlé
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Private University of the Principality of Liechtenstein (UFL), Dorfstrasse 24, 9495 Triesen, Liechtenstein
| | - Cora S. Thiel
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
- Institute of Machine Design, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Space Life Sciences Laboratory (SLSL), Kennedy Space Center, 505 Odyssey Way, Exploration Park, Merritt Island, FL 32953, USA
- UZH Space Hub, Air Force Center, Air Base Dübendorf, Überlandstrasse 270, 8600 Dubendorf, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Ullrich
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
- Institute of Machine Design, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Space Life Sciences Laboratory (SLSL), Kennedy Space Center, 505 Odyssey Way, Exploration Park, Merritt Island, FL 32953, USA
- UZH Space Hub, Air Force Center, Air Base Dübendorf, Überlandstrasse 270, 8600 Dubendorf, Switzerland
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule (EAH) Jena, Carl-Zeiss-Promenade 2, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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6
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3D microenvironment attenuates simulated microgravity-mediated changes in T cell transcriptome. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:508. [PMID: 36063234 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04531-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Human space travel and exploration are of interest to both the industrial and scientific community. However, there are many adverse effects of spaceflight on human physiology. In particular, there is a lack of understanding of the extent to which microgravity affects the immune system. T cells, key players of the adaptive immune system and long-term immunity, are present not only in blood circulation but also reside within the tissue. As of yet, studies investigating the effects of microgravity on T cells are limited to peripheral blood or traditional 2D cell culture that recapitulates circulating blood. To better mimic interstitial tissue, 3D cell culture has been well established for physiologically and pathologically relevant models. In this work, we utilize 2D cell culture and 3D collagen matrices to gain an understanding of how simulated microgravity, using a random positioning machine, affects both circulating and tissue-resident T cells. T cells were studied in both resting and activated stages. We found that 3D cell culture attenuates the effects of simulated microgravity on the T cells transcriptome and nuclear irregularities compared to 2D cell culture. Interestingly, simulated microgravity appears to have less effect on activated T cells compared to those in the resting stage. Overall, our work provides novel insights into the effects of simulated microgravity on circulating and tissue-resident T cells which could provide benefits for the health of space travellers.
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7
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Darigh F, Iranbakhsh A, Oraghi Ardebili Z, Ebadi M, Hassanpour H. Simulated microgravity contributed to modification of callogenesis performance and secondary metabolite production in CannabisIndica. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2022; 186:157-168. [PMID: 35849945 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2022.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
In vitro plant culture paves the way for meeting the industrial demand of pharmaceutically valuable secondary metabolites. This study intends to monitor how callus cells of Cannabis indica respond to the simulated microgravity (clinorotation; a Man-made technology). Callus initiation resulted from the culture of the leaf explant in a medium supplemented with kinetin (0.5 mgL-1) and 2, 4-D (2 mgL-1). Calli were treated with microgravity at three exposure times (0, 3, and 5 days). The microgravity treatments increased callus biomass about 2.5-fold. The clinorotation treatments transcriptionally induced the olivetolic acid cyclase (OAC) and olivetol synthase (OLS) genes about 6.2-fold. The tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase (THCAS) and cannabidiolic acid synthase (CBDAS) genes displayed a similar upward trend in response to microgravity. The applied treatments also stimulated the expression of the ethylene-responsive element-binding proteins (ERF1B) and WRKY1 transcription factors by an average of 7.6-fold. Moreover, the simulated microgravity triggered epigenetic modification in the DNA methylation profile. The HPLC-based assessment validated the high efficacy of the clinorotation treatments to increase the concentration of cannabinoids, including Cannabigerol (CBG) and Cannabidiol (CBD). However, the clinorotated calli contained a lower concentration of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) than the control group. The microgravity treatments increased concentrations of proline (79%), soluble sugars (61.3%), and proteins (21.4%) in calli. The biochemical assessment revealed that the clinorotation treatments slightly increased H2O2 concentration. The upregulation in the activities of peroxidase, catalase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase enzymes resulted from the microgravity treatments. Both HPLC and molecular assessments validated the significant efficacy of microgravity to enhance the production of cannabinoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Darigh
- 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, Damghan, Iran
| | - Halimeh Hassanpour
- Aerospace Research Institute, Ministry of Science Research and Technology, Tehran, Iran
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8
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Vahlensieck C, Thiel CS, Pöschl D, Bradley T, Krammer S, Lauber B, Polzer J, Ullrich O. Post-Transcriptional Dynamics is Involved in Rapid Adaptation to Hypergravity in Jurkat T Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:933984. [PMID: 35859900 PMCID: PMC9289288 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.933984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcriptome of human immune cells rapidly reacts to altered gravity in a highly dynamic way. We could show in previous experiments that transcriptional patterns show profound adaption after seconds to minutes of altered gravity. To gain further insight into these transcriptional alteration and adaption dynamics, we conducted a highly standardized RNA-Seq experiment with human Jurkat T cells exposed to 9xg hypergravity for 3 and 15 min, respectively. We investigated the frequency with which individual exons were used during transcription and discovered that differential exon usage broadly appeared after 3 min and became less pronounced after 15 min. Additionally, we observed a shift in the transcript pool from coding towards non-coding transcripts. Thus, adaption of gravity-sensitive differentially expressed genes followed a dynamic transcriptional rebound effect. The general dynamics were compatible with previous studies on the transcriptional effects of short hypergravity on human immune cells and suggest that initial up-regulatory changes mostly result from increased elongation rates. The shift correlated with a general downregulation of the affected genes. All chromosome bands carried homogenous numbers of gravity-sensitive genes but showed a specific tendency towards up- or downregulation. Altered gravity affected transcriptional regulation throughout the entire genome, whereby the direction of differential expression was strongly dependent on the structural location in the genome. A correlation analysis with potential mediators of the early transcriptional response identified a link between initially upregulated genes with certain transcription factors. Based on these findings, we have been able to further develop our model of the transcriptional response to altered gravity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Vahlensieck
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Innovation Cluster Space and Aviation (UZH Space Hub), Air Force Center, University of Zurich, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Cora S. Thiel
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Innovation Cluster Space and Aviation (UZH Space Hub), Air Force Center, University of Zurich, Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Space Life Sciences Laboratory (SLSL), Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Merritt Island, FL, United States
- Space Biotechnology, Department of Machine Design, Engineering Design and Product Development, Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Cora S. Thiel, ; Oliver Ullrich,
| | - Daniel Pöschl
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Timothy Bradley
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sonja Krammer
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Innovation Cluster Space and Aviation (UZH Space Hub), Air Force Center, University of Zurich, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Beatrice Lauber
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Polzer
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Ullrich
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Innovation Cluster Space and Aviation (UZH Space Hub), Air Force Center, University of Zurich, Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Space Life Sciences Laboratory (SLSL), Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Merritt Island, FL, United States
- Space Biotechnology, Department of Machine Design, Engineering Design and Product Development, Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Space Medicine, Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule (EAH) Jena, Department of Industrial Engineering, Jena, Germany
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Cora S. Thiel, ; Oliver Ullrich,
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9
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Wang Y, Shen W, Yin M, Huang W, Ye B, Li P, Shi S, Bai G, Guo X, Jin Y, Lin K, Zhang Y, Jiang Y, Wang J, Han Y, Zhao Z. Changes in Higher-Order Chromosomal Structure of Klebsiella pneumoniae Under Simulated Microgravity. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:879321. [PMID: 35711756 PMCID: PMC9197264 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.879321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previous work have shown that certain subpopulations of Klebsiella pneumoniae exhibit significant phenotypic changes under simulated microgravity (SMG), including enhanced biofilm formation and cellulose synthesis, which may be evoked by changes in gene expression patterns. It is well known that prokaryotic cells genomic DNA can be hierarchically organized into different higher-order three-dimensional structures, which can highly influence gene expression. It is remain elusive whether phenotypic changes induced by SMG in the subpopulations of K. pneumoniae are driven by genome higher-order structural changes. Here, we investigated the above-mentioned issue using the wild-type (WT) K. pneumoniae (WT was used as a control strain and continuously cultivated for 2 weeks under standard culture conditions of normal gravity) and two previous identified subpopulations (M1 and M2) obtained after 2 weeks of continuous incubation in a SMG device. By the combination of genome-wide chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C), RNA-seq and whole-genome methylation (WGS) analyses, we found that the along with the global chromosome interactions change, the compacting extent of M1, M2 subpopulations were much looser under SMG and even with an increase in active, open chromosome regions. In addition, transcriptome data showed that most differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were upregulated, whereas a few DEGs were downregulated in M1 and M2. The functions of both types DEGs were mainly associated with membrane fractions. Additionally, WGS analysis revealed that methylation levels were lower in M1 and M2. Using combined analysis of multi-omics data, we discovered that most upregulated DEGs were significantly enriched in the boundary regions of the variable chromosomal interaction domains (CIDs), in which genes regulating biofilm formation were mainly located. These results suggest that K. pneumoniae may regulate gene expression patterns through DNA methylation and changes in genome structure, thus resulting in new phenotypes in response to altered gravity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahao Wang
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Wenlong Shen
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Man Yin
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhua Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Bingyu Ye
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Ping Li
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Shu Shi
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Ge Bai
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Xinjie Guo
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Yifei Jin
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Kailin Lin
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Yongqiang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Junfeng Wang
- Second Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yanping Han
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihu Zhao
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
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10
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Abstract
The direct (eg, radiation, microgravity) and indirect (eg, lifestyle perturbations) effects of spaceflight extend across multiple systems resulting in whole-organism cardiovascular deconditioning. For over 50 years, National Aeronautics and Space Administration has continually enhanced a countermeasures program designed to characterize and offset the adverse cardiovascular consequences of spaceflight. In this review, we provide a historical overview of research evaluating the effects of spaceflight on cardiovascular health in astronauts and outline mechanisms underpinning spaceflight-related cardiovascular alterations. We also discuss how spaceflight could be leveraged for aging, industry, and model systems such as human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, organoid, and organ-on-a-chip technologies. Finally, we outline the increasing opportunities for scientists and clinicians to engage in cardiovascular research in space and on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Scott
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY (J.M.S.).,Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY (J.M.S.)
| | | | - Lianne Dolan
- Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada (L.D.)
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11
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Dhar S, Kaeley DK, Kanan MJ, Yildirim-Ayan E. Mechano-Immunomodulation in Space: Mechanisms Involving Microgravity-Induced Changes in T Cells. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11101043. [PMID: 34685414 PMCID: PMC8537592 DOI: 10.3390/life11101043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Of the most prevalent issues surrounding long-term spaceflight, the sustainability of human life and the maintenance of homeostasis in an extreme environment are of utmost concern. It has been observed that the human immune system is dysregulated in space as a result of gravitational unloading at the cellular level, leading to potential complications in astronaut health. A plethora of studies demonstrate intracellular changes that occur due to microgravity; however, these ultimately fall short of identifying the underlying mechanisms and dysfunctions that cause such changes. This comprehensive review covers the changes in human adaptive immunity due to microgravity. Specifically, there is a focus on uncovering the gravisensitive steps in T cell signaling pathways. Changes in gravitational force may lead to interrupted immune signaling cascades at specific junctions, particularly membrane and surface receptor-proximal molecules. Holistically studying the interplay of signaling with morphological changes in cytoskeleton and other cell components may yield answers to what in the T cell specifically experiences the consequences of microgravity. Fully understanding the nature of this problem is essential in order to develop proper countermeasures before long-term space flight is conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarit Dhar
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA; (S.D.); (D.K.K.); (M.J.K.)
| | - Dilpreet Kaur Kaeley
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA; (S.D.); (D.K.K.); (M.J.K.)
| | - Mohamad Jalal Kanan
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA; (S.D.); (D.K.K.); (M.J.K.)
| | - Eda Yildirim-Ayan
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA; (S.D.); (D.K.K.); (M.J.K.)
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-419-530-8257; Fax: +1-419-530-8030
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12
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HDAC6 Negatively Regulates miR-155-5p Expression to Elicit Proliferation by Targeting RHEB in Microvascular Endothelial Cells under Mechanical Unloading. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910527. [PMID: 34638868 PMCID: PMC8508889 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical unloading contributes to significant cardiovascular deconditioning. Endothelial dysfunction in the sites of microcirculation may be one of the causes of the cardiovascular degeneration induced by unloading, but the detailed mechanism is still unclear. Here, we first demonstrated that mechanical unloading inhibited brain microvascular endothelial cell proliferation and downregulated histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) expression. Furthermore, HDAC6 promoted microvascular endothelial cell proliferation and attenuated the inhibition of proliferation caused by clinorotation unloading. To comprehensively identify microRNAs (miRNAs) that are regulated by HDAC6, we analyzed differential miRNA expression in microvascular endothelial cells after transfection with HDAC6 siRNA and selected miR-155-5p, which was the miRNA with the most significantly increased expression. The ectopic expression of miR-155-5p inhibited microvascular endothelial cell proliferation and directly downregulated Ras homolog enriched in brain (RHEB) expression. Moreover, RHEB expression was downregulated under mechanical unloading and was essential for the miR-155-5p-mediated promotion of microvascular endothelial cell proliferation. Taken together, these results are the first to elucidate the role of HDAC6 in unloading-induced cell growth inhibition through the miR-155-5p/RHEB axis, suggesting that the HDAC6/miR-155-5p/RHEB pathway is a specific target for the preventative treatment of cardiovascular deconditioning.
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13
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Beheshti A, McDonald JT, Hada M, Takahashi A, Mason CE, Mognato M. Genomic Changes Driven by Radiation-Induced DNA Damage and Microgravity in Human Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910507. [PMID: 34638848 PMCID: PMC8508777 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The space environment consists of a complex mixture of different types of ionizing radiation and altered gravity that represents a threat to humans during space missions. In particular, individual radiation sensitivity is strictly related to the risk of space radiation carcinogenesis. Therefore, in view of future missions to the Moon and Mars, there is an urgent need to estimate as accurately as possible the individual risk from space exposure to improve the safety of space exploration. In this review, we survey the combined effects from the two main physical components of the space environment, ionizing radiation and microgravity, to alter the genetics and epigenetics of human cells, considering both real and simulated space conditions. Data collected from studies on human cells are discussed for their potential use to estimate individual radiation carcinogenesis risk from space exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshin Beheshti
- KBR, NASA Ames Research Center, Space Biosciences Division, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Correspondence: or (A.B.); (M.M.)
| | - J. Tyson McDonald
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007, USA;
| | - Megumi Hada
- Radiation Institute for Science & Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX 77446, USA;
| | - Akihisa Takahashi
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Gunma, Japan;
| | - Christopher E. Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA;
- The World Quant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Maddalena Mognato
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Correspondence: or (A.B.); (M.M.)
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14
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Zhu L, Nie L, Xie S, Li M, Zhu C, Qiu X, Kuang J, Liu C, Lu C, Li W, Meng E, Zhang D, Zhu L. Attenuation of Antiviral Immune Response Caused by Perturbation of TRIM25-Mediated RIG-I Activation under Simulated Microgravity. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108600. [PMID: 33406425 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Microgravity is a major environmental factor of space flight that triggers dysregulation of the immune system and increases clinical risks for deep-space-exploration crews. However, systematic studies and molecular mechanisms of the adverse effects of microgravity on the immune system in animal models are limited. Here, we establish a ground-based zebrafish disease model of microgravity for the research of space immunology. RNA sequencing analysis demonstrates that the retinoic-acid-inducible gene (RIG)-I-like receptor (RLR) and the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathways are significantly compromised by simulated microgravity (Sμg). TRIM25, an essential E3 for RLR signaling, is inhibited under Sμg, hampering the K63-linked ubiquitination of RIG-I and the following function-induction positive feedback loop of antiviral immune response. These mechanisms provide insights into better understanding of the effects and principles of microgravity on host antiviral immunity and present broad potential implications for developing strategies that can prevent and control viral diseases during space flight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lvyun Zhu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China.
| | - Li Nie
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, P.R. China
| | - Sisi Xie
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Chushu Zhu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Xinyuan Qiu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Jingyu Kuang
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Chuanyang Liu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Chenyu Lu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Wenying Li
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Er Meng
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Dongyi Zhang
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Lingyun Zhu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China.
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15
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Matsumura T, Noda T, Muratani M, Okada R, Yamane M, Isotani A, Kudo T, Takahashi S, Ikawa M. Male mice, caged in the International Space Station for 35 days, sire healthy offspring. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13733. [PMID: 31551430 PMCID: PMC6760203 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50128-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect on the reproductive system and fertility of living in a space environment remains unclear. Here, we caged 12 male mice under artificial gravity (≈1 gravity) (AG) or microgravity (MG) in the International Space Station (ISS) for 35 days, and characterized the male reproductive organs (testes, epididymides, and accessory glands) after their return to earth. Mice caged on earth during the 35 days served as a “ground” control (GC). Only a decrease in accessory gland weight was detected in AG and MG males; however, none of the reproductive organs showed any overt microscopic defects or changes in gene expression as determined by RNA-seq. The cauda epididymal spermatozoa from AG and MG mice could fertilize oocytes in vitro at comparable levels as GC males. When the fertilized eggs were transferred into pseudo-pregnant females, there was no significant difference in pups delivered (pups/transferred eggs) among GC, AG, and MG spermatozoa. In addition, the growth rates and fecundity of the obtained pups were comparable among all groups. We conclude that short-term stays in outer space do not cause overt defects in the physiological function of male reproductive organs, sperm function, and offspring viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takafumi Matsumura
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical and Regenerative Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Taichi Noda
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masafumi Muratani
- Department of Genome Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan.,Mouse Epigenetics Project, ISS/Kibo experiment, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Risa Okada
- JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Tsukuba Space Center, 2-1-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8505, Japan
| | - Mutsumi Yamane
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,Center for Animal Research and Education, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Ayako Isotani
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama-cho, Ikoma, Nara, 630-0192, Japan
| | - Takashi Kudo
- Mouse Epigenetics Project, ISS/Kibo experiment, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Satoru Takahashi
- Mouse Epigenetics Project, ISS/Kibo experiment, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Laboratory Animal Resource Center in Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan. .,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan. .,Mouse Epigenetics Project, ISS/Kibo experiment, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan. .,Laboratory of Reproductive Systems Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan.
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16
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Usik MA, Ogneva IV. DNA Methylation in Mouse Spermatozoa under Long-Term Modeling the Effects of Microgravity. Russ J Dev Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062360419040076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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17
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Fukazawa T, Tanimoto K, Shrestha L, Imura T, Takahashi S, Sueda T, Hirohashi N, Hiyama E, Yuge L. Simulated microgravity enhances CDDP-induced apoptosis signal via p53-independent mechanisms in cancer cells. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219363. [PMID: 31323026 PMCID: PMC6641656 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the biological systems in the human body are affected by the earth’s gravity, information about the underlying molecular mechanisms is limited. For example, apoptotic signaling is enhanced in cancer cells subjected to microgravity. We reasoned that signaling regulated by p53 may be involved because of its role in apoptosis. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the molecular mechanisms of modified cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP)-sensitivity under simulated microgravity by focusing on p53-related cell death mechanisms. Immunoblotting analyses indicated that, under microgravity, CDDP-induced ATM/p53 signaling increased and caspase-3 was cleaved earlier. However, microgravity decreased the levels of expression of p53 targets BAX and CDKN1A. Interestingly, microgravity increased the PTEN, DRAM1, and PRKAA1 mRNA levels. However, microgravity decreased the levels of mTOR and increased the LC3-II/I ratio, suggesting the activation of autophagy. The CDDP-induced cleavage of caspase-3 was increased during the early phase in Group MG (+), and cleaved caspase-3 was detected even in Group MG (+) with constitutive expression of a mutant type of p53 (hereafter, “+” indicates CDDP treatment). These results interestingly indicate that microgravity altered CDDP sensitivity through activation of caspase-3 by p53-independent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Fukazawa
- Natural Science Center for Basic Research and Development, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Keiji Tanimoto
- Department of Radiation Disaster Medicine, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
- * E-mail: (KT); (LY)
| | - Looniva Shrestha
- Division of Bio-Environmental Adaptation Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Takeshi Imura
- Division of Bio-Environmental Adaptation Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Shinya Takahashi
- Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Taijiro Sueda
- Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Hirohashi
- Department of Radiation Disaster Medicine, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Eiso Hiyama
- Natural Science Center for Basic Research and Development, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Louis Yuge
- Division of Bio-Environmental Adaptation Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
- Space Bio-Laboratories Co., Ltd., Hiroshima, Japan
- * E-mail: (KT); (LY)
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18
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Testes and duct deferens of mice during space flight: cytoskeleton structure, sperm-specific proteins and epigenetic events. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9730. [PMID: 31278362 PMCID: PMC6611814 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46324-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
To analyze the effect of gravity on the structure of germinal tissues, we examined tissues of the testes and duct deferens of mice that were exposed to space flight conditions for 21–24 days (experiment Rodent Research-4, SpaceX-10 mission, February 2017, USA). We evaluated the levels of cytoskeletal proteins, sperm-specific proteins, and epigenetic events; in particular, we evaluated levels of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and of enzymes that regulate DNA methylation/demethylation. We did not detect changes in the levels of cytoskeletal proteins, sperm-specific proteins, DNA-methylases, DNA demethylases, DNA acetylases, or histone deacetylases. However, there were changes at the gene expression level. In particular, there was an increase in the demethylase Tet2 and a decrease in the histone deacetylase Hdac1. These gene expression changes may be of key importance during the early period of readaptation since they could lead to an increase in the expression of target genes.
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19
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DNA Methylation of Mouse Testes, Cardiac and Lung Tissue During Long-Term Microgravity Simulation. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7974. [PMID: 31138883 PMCID: PMC6538624 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44468-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Under microgravity, the gene expression levels vary in different types of cells; however, the reasons for this have not been sufficiently studied. The aim of this work was to evaluate the methylation of CpG islands in the promoter regions of the genes encoding some cytoskeletal proteins, the total methylation and 5 hmC levels, and the levels of enzymes that regulate these processes in the testes, heart, and lungs in mice after a 30-day microgravity modeling by antiorthostatic suspension and after a subsequent 12-hour recovery as well as in the corresponding control group and identical groups treated with essential phospholipids. The obtained results indicate that under modeling microgravity in the examined tissues a decrease of cytoskeletal gene expression (mainly in the heart and lungs tissues) correlated with an increase in the CpG islands methylation and an increase of the expression (mainly in the testes tissue) - with a decrease of the CpG-methylation, despite of the fact that in the examined tissues took place a decrease of the content methylases and demethylases. But the deacetylase HDAC1 content increased in the heart and lungs tissues and decreased in the testes, letting us suggest its participation in the regulation of the methylation level under microgravity conditions.
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20
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Simulated microgravity attenuates myogenic differentiation via epigenetic regulations. NPJ Microgravity 2018; 4:11. [PMID: 29845109 PMCID: PMC5966377 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-018-0045-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms involved in myogenic differentiation are relatively well-known. Myogenic differentiation is regulated by the sequential activation of the basic helix-loop-helix myogenic regulatory transcription factors (MRFs), and biomechanical signals play an important role in the regulation of myogenesis. In this study, we sought to determine whether simulated microgravity culture using Gravite® may affect myoblast differentiation and expression of MRF genes. Although rat myoblasts, L6 cells were differentiated to myotubes in an incubation period-dependent manner, myogenesis of L6 cells was significantly attenuated under simulated microgravity (10-3G) conditions. Real-time Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that expressions of Myog, Myf6, Mef2c, Des, and Ckm under 1 G conditions increase in an incubation period-dependent manner, and that Myod1 expression was specifically observed to increase transiently in the early phase. However, expressions of Myod1 and Myog were significantly inhibited under simulated microgravity conditions. To clarify the molecular mechanisms, L6 cells were treated with 5-AzaC, and further incubated with differentiation medium under 1 G or 10-3 G conditions. The results showed differences in expression levels of Myod1, Myog, and, as well as those of myotube thickness between 1 G and 10-3 G conditions, completely disappeared in this experimental condition. Modified HpaII tiny fragment enrichment by ligation-mediated PCR (HELP)-assay showed that kinetic changes of DNA methylation status were attenuated in simulated microgravity conditions. These results indicate that microgravity regulates myogenesis and Myod1 expression by controlling DNA methylation.
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21
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Ogneva IV, Loktev SS, Sychev VN. Cytoskeleton structure and total methylation of mouse cardiac and lung tissue during space flight. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0192643. [PMID: 29768411 PMCID: PMC5955502 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this work was to evaluate the protein and mRNA expression levels of multiple cytoskeletal proteins in the cardiac and lung tissue of mice that were euthanized onboard the United States Orbital Segment of the International Space Station 37 days after the start of the SpaceX-4 mission (September 2014, USA). The results showed no changes in the cytoskeletal protein content in the cardiac and lung tissue of the mice, but there were significant changes in the mRNA expression levels of the associated genes, which may be due to an increase in total genome methylation. The mRNA expression levels of DNA methylases, the cytosine demethylases Tet1 and Tet3, histone acetylase and histone deacetylase did not change, and the mRNA expression level of cytosine demethylase Tet2 was significantly decreased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina V. Ogneva
- Cell Biophysics Lab, State Scientific Center of the Russian Federation Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- * E-mail:
| | - Sergey S. Loktev
- Cell Biophysics Lab, State Scientific Center of the Russian Federation Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir N. Sychev
- Cell Biophysics Lab, State Scientific Center of the Russian Federation Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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22
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Seawright JW, Samman Y, Sridharan V, Mao XW, Cao M, Singh P, Melnyk S, Koturbash I, Nelson GA, Hauer-Jensen M, Boerma M. Effects of low-dose rate γ-irradiation combined with simulated microgravity on markers of oxidative stress, DNA methylation potential, and remodeling in the mouse heart. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0180594. [PMID: 28678877 PMCID: PMC5498037 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Space travel is associated with an exposure to low-dose rate ionizing radiation and the microgravity environment, both of which may lead to impairments in cardiac function. We used a mouse model to determine short- and long-term cardiac effects to simulated microgravity (hindlimb unloading; HU), continuous low-dose rate γ-irradiation, or a combination of HU and low-dose rate γ-irradiation. Methods Cardiac tissue was obtained from female, C57BL/6J mice 7 days, 1 month, 4 months, and 9 months following the completion of a 21 day exposure to HU or a 21 day exposure to low-dose rate γ-irradiation (average dose rate of 0.01 cGy/h to a total of 0.04 Gy), or a 21 day simultaneous exposure to HU and low-dose rate γ-irradiation. Immunoblot analysis, rt-PCR, high-performance liquid chromatography, and histology were used to assess inflammatory cell infiltration, cardiac remodeling, oxidative stress, and the methylation potential of cardiac tissue in 3 to 6 animals per group. Results The combination of HU and γ-irradiation demonstrated the strongest increase in reduced to oxidized glutathione ratios 7 days and 1 month after treatment, but a difference was no longer apparent after 9 months. On the other hand, no significant changes in 4-hydroxynonenal adducts was seen in any of the groups, at the measured endpoints. While manganese superoxide dismutase protein levels decreased 9 months after low-dose γ-radiation, no changes were observed in expression of catalase or Nrf2, a transcription factor that determines the expression of several antioxidant enzymes, at the measured endpoints. Inflammatory marker, CD-2 protein content was significantly decreased in all groups 4 months after treatment. No significant differences were observed in α-smooth muscle cell actin protein content, collagen type III protein content or % total collagen. Conclusions This study has provided the first and relatively broad analysis of small molecule and protein markers of oxidative stress, T-lymphocyte infiltration, and cardiac remodeling in response to HU with simultaneous exposure to low-dose rate γ-radiation. Results from the late observation time points suggest that the hearts had mostly recovered from these two experimental conditions. However, further research is needed with larger numbers of animals for a more robust statistical power to fully characterize the early and late effects of simulated microgravity combined with exposure to low-dose rate ionizing radiation on the heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W. Seawright
- Division of Radiation Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, The United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Yusra Samman
- Division of Radiation Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, The United States of America
| | - Vijayalakshmi Sridharan
- Division of Radiation Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, The United States of America
| | - Xiao Wen Mao
- Department of Basic Sciences and Radiation Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, The United States of America
| | - Maohua Cao
- Division of Radiation Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, The United States of America
| | - Preeti Singh
- Division of Radiation Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, The United States of America
| | - Stepan Melnyk
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, The United States of America
| | - Igor Koturbash
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, The United States of America
| | - Gregory A. Nelson
- Department of Basic Sciences and Radiation Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, The United States of America
| | - Martin Hauer-Jensen
- Division of Radiation Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, The United States of America
| | - Marjan Boerma
- Division of Radiation Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, The United States of America
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Najrana T, Sanchez-Esteban J. Mechanotransduction as an Adaptation to Gravity. Front Pediatr 2016; 4:140. [PMID: 28083527 PMCID: PMC5183626 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2016.00140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Gravity has played a critical role in the development of terrestrial life. A key event in evolution has been the development of mechanisms to sense and transduce gravitational force into biological signals. The objective of this manuscript is to review how living organisms on Earth use mechanotransduction as an adaptation to gravity. Certain cells have evolved specialized structures, such as otoliths in hair cells of the inner ear and statoliths in plants, to respond directly to the force of gravity. By conducting studies in the reduced gravity of spaceflight (microgravity) or simulating microgravity in the laboratory, we have gained insights into how gravity might have changed life on Earth. We review how microgravity affects prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells at the cellular and molecular levels. Genomic studies in yeast have identified changes in genes involved in budding, cell polarity, and cell separation regulated by Ras, PI3K, and TOR signaling pathways. Moreover, transcriptomic analysis of late pregnant rats have revealed that microgravity affects genes that regulate circadian clocks, activate mechanotransduction pathways, and induce changes in immune response, metabolism, and cells proliferation. Importantly, these studies identified genes that modify chromatin structure and methylation, suggesting that long-term adaptation to gravity may be mediated by epigenetic modifications. Given that gravity represents a modification in mechanical stresses encounter by the cells, the tensegrity model of cytoskeletal architecture provides an excellent paradigm to explain how changes in the balance of forces, which are transmitted across transmembrane receptors and cytoskeleton, can influence intracellular signaling pathways and gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanbir Najrana
- Department of Pediatrics, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island , Providence, RI , USA
| | - Juan Sanchez-Esteban
- Department of Pediatrics, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island , Providence, RI , USA
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Zhang C, Zhou L, Zhang F, Lü D, Li N, Zheng L, Xu Y, Li Z, Sun S, Long M. Mechanical remodeling of normally sized mammalian cells under a gravity vector. FASEB J 2016; 31:802-813. [PMID: 27871065 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201600897rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Translocation of the dense nucleus along a gravity vector initiates mechanical remodeling of a cell, but the underlying mechanisms of cytoskeletal network and focal adhesion complex (FAC) reorganization in a mammalian cell remain unclear. We quantified the remodeling of an MC3T3-E1 cell placed in upward-, downward-, or edge-on-orientated substrate. Nucleus longitudinal translocation presents a high value in downward orientation at 24 h or in edge-on orientation at 72 h, which is consistent with orientation-dependent distribution of perinuclear actin stress fibers and vimentin cords. Redistribution of total FAC area and fractionized super mature adhesion number coordinates this dependence at short duration. This orientation-dependent remodeling is associated with nucleus flattering and lamin A/C phosphorylation. Actin depolymerization or Rho-associated protein kinase signaling inhibition abolishes the orientation dependence of nucleus translocation, whereas tubulin polymerization inhibition or vimentin disruption reserves the dependence. A biomechanical model is therefore proposed for integrating the mechanosensing of nucleus translocation with cytoskeletal remodeling and FAC reorganization induced by a gravity vector.-Zhang, C., Zhou, L., Zhang, F., Lü, D., Li, N., Zheng, L., Xu, Y., Li, Z., Sun, S., Long, M. Mechanical remodeling of normally sized mammalian cells under a gravity vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zhang
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lüwen Zhou
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dongyuan Lü
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Li
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Zheng
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanhong Xu
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhan Li
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shujin Sun
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mian Long
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannis F Missirlis
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, University of Patras Patras, Greece
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Chowdhury B, Seetharam A, Wang Z, Liu Y, Lossie AC, Thimmapuram J, Irudayaraj J. A Study of Alterations in DNA Epigenetic Modifications (5mC and 5hmC) and Gene Expression Influenced by Simulated Microgravity in Human Lymphoblastoid Cells. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0147514. [PMID: 26820575 PMCID: PMC4731572 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells alter their gene expression in response to exposure to various environmental changes. Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation are believed to regulate the alterations in gene expression patterns. In vitro and in vivo studies have documented changes in cellular proliferation, cytoskeletal remodeling, signal transduction, bone mineralization and immune deficiency under the influence of microgravity conditions experienced in space. However microgravity induced changes in the epigenome have not been well characterized. In this study we have used Next-generation Sequencing (NGS) to profile ground-based “simulated” microgravity induced changes on DNA methylation (5-methylcytosine or 5mC), hydroxymethylation (5-hydroxymethylcytosine or 5hmC), and simultaneous gene expression in cultured human lymphoblastoid cells. Our results indicate that simulated microgravity induced alterations in the methylome (~60% of the differentially methylated regions or DMRs are hypomethylated and ~92% of the differentially hydroxymethylated regions or DHMRs are hyperhydroxymethylated). Simulated microgravity also induced differential expression in 370 transcripts that were associated with crucial biological processes such as oxidative stress response, carbohydrate metabolism and regulation of transcription. While we were not able to obtain any global trend correlating the changes of methylation/ hydroxylation with gene expression, we have been able to profile the simulated microgravity induced changes of 5mC over some of the differentially expressed genes that includes five genes undergoing differential methylation over their promoters and twenty five genes undergoing differential methylation over their gene-bodies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first NGS-based study to profile epigenomic patterns induced by short time exposure of simulated microgravity and we believe that our findings can be a valuable resource for future explorations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basudev Chowdhury
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, United States of America
- Bindley Biosciences Center, Discovery Park, Purdue University, West Lafayette IN, 47907, United States of America
| | - Arun Seetharam
- Bioinformatics Core, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, United States of America
| | - Zhiping Wang
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, United States of America
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, United States of America
| | - Yunlong Liu
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, United States of America
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, United States of America
| | - Amy C. Lossie
- Bindley Biosciences Center, Discovery Park, Purdue University, West Lafayette IN, 47907, United States of America
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, United States of America
| | - Jyothi Thimmapuram
- Bioinformatics Core, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JI); (JT)
| | - Joseph Irudayaraj
- Bindley Biosciences Center, Discovery Park, Purdue University, West Lafayette IN, 47907, United States of America
- Department of Agriculture and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JI); (JT)
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Zhang LL, Wang JQ, Qi RR, Pan LL, Li M, Cai YL. Motion Sickness: Current Knowledge and Recent Advance. CNS Neurosci Ther 2015; 22:15-24. [PMID: 26452639 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Revised: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 09/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Motion sickness (MS) is a common physiological response to real or virtual motion. Numerous studies have investigated the neurobiological mechanism and the control measures of MS. This review summarizes the current knowledge about pathogenesis and pathophysiology, prediction, evaluation, and countermeasures of MS. The sensory conflict hypothesis is the most widely accepted theory for MS. Both the hippocampus and vestibular cortex might play a role in forming internal model. The pathophysiology focuses on the visceral afference, thermoregulation and MS-related neuroendocrine. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in some genes and epigenetic modulation might contribute to MS susceptibility and habituation. Questionnaires, heart rate variability (HRV) and electrogastrogram (EGG) are useful for diagnosing and evaluating MS. We also list MS medications to guide clinical practice. Repeated real motion exposure and combined visual-vestibular interaction training accelerate the progress of habituation. Behavioral and dietary countermeasures, as well as physiotherapy, are also effective in alleviating MS symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Li Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun-Qin Wang
- Department of Nautical Injury Prevention, Faculty of Navy Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui-Rui Qi
- Department of Nautical Injury Prevention, Faculty of Navy Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei-Lei Pan
- Department of Nautical Injury Prevention, Faculty of Navy Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Nautical Injury Prevention, Faculty of Navy Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Ling Cai
- Department of Nautical Injury Prevention, Faculty of Navy Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Post-Spaceflight (STS-135) Mouse Splenocytes Demonstrate Altered Activation Properties and Surface Molecule Expression. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0124380. [PMID: 25970640 PMCID: PMC4430214 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in immune function have been documented during or post-spaceflight and in ground based models of microgravity. Identification of immune parameters that are dysregulated during spaceflight is an important step in mitigating crew health risks during deep space missions. The in vitro analysis of leukocyte activity post-spaceflight in both human and animal species is primarily focused on lymphocytic function. This report completes a broader spectrum analysis of mouse lymphocyte and monocyte changes post 13 days orbital flight (mission STS-135). Analysis includes an examination in surface markers for cell activation, and antigen presentation and co-stimulatory molecules. Cytokine production was measured after stimulation with T-cell mitogen or TLR-2, TLR-4, or TLR-5 agonists. Splenocyte surface marker analysis immediate post-spaceflight and after in vitro culture demonstrated unique changes in phenotypic populations between the flight mice and matched treatment ground controls. Post-spaceflight splenocytes (flight splenocytes) had lower expression intensity of CD4+CD25+ and CD8+CD25+ cells, lower percentage of CD11c+MHC II+ cells, and higher percentage of CD11c+MHC I+ populations compared to ground controls. The flight splenocytes demonstrated an increase in phagocytic activity. Stimulation with ConA led to decrease in CD4+ population but increased CD4+CD25+ cells compared to ground controls. Culturing with TLR agonists led to a decrease in CD11c+ population in splenocytes isolated from flight mice compared to ground controls. Consequently, flight splenocytes with or without TLR-agonist stimulation showed a decrease in CD11c+MHC I+, CD11c+MHC II+, and CD11c+CD86+ cells compared to ground controls. Production of IFN-γ was decreased and IL-2 was increased from ConA stimulated flight splenocytes. This study demonstrated that expression of surface molecules can be affected by conditions of spaceflight and impaired responsiveness persists under culture conditions in vitro.
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Ghislin S, Ouzren-Zarhloul N, Kaminski S, Frippiat JP. Hypergravity exposure during gestation modifies the TCRβ repertoire of newborn mice. Sci Rep 2015; 5:9318. [PMID: 25792033 PMCID: PMC5380131 DOI: 10.1038/srep09318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
During spaceflight, organisms are subjected to mechanical force changes (gravity (G) changes) that affect the immune system. However, gravitational effects on lymphopoiesis have rarely been studied. Consequently, we investigated whether the TCRβ repertoire, created by V(D)J recombination during T lymphopoiesis, is affected by hypergravity exposure during murine development. To address this question, C57BL/6j mice were mated in a centrifuge so that embryonic development, birth and TCRβ rearrangements occurred at 2G. Pups were sacrificed at birth, and their thymus used to quantify transcripts coding for factors required for V(D)J recombination and T lymphopoiesis. We also created cDNA mini-libraries of TCRβ transcripts to study the impact of hypergravity on TCRβ diversity. Our data show that hypergravity exposure increases the transcription of TCRβ chains, and of genes whose products are involved in TCR signaling, and affects the V(D)J recombination process. We also observed that ~85% of the TCRβ repertoire is different between hypergravity and control pups. These data indicate that changing a mechanical force (the gravity) during ontogeny will likely affect host immunity because properties of loops constituting TCR antigen-binding sites are modified in hypergravity newborns. The spectrum of peptides recognized by TCR will therefore likely be different.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Ghislin
- EA7300, Stress Immunity Pathogens Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Lorraine University, F-54500 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Nassima Ouzren-Zarhloul
- EA7300, Stress Immunity Pathogens Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Lorraine University, F-54500 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Sandra Kaminski
- EA7300, Stress Immunity Pathogens Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Lorraine University, F-54500 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Jean-Pol Frippiat
- EA7300, Stress Immunity Pathogens Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Lorraine University, F-54500 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
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Gaignier F, Schenten V, De Carvalho Bittencourt M, Gauquelin-Koch G, Frippiat JP, Legrand-Frossi C. Three weeks of murine hindlimb unloading induces shifts from B to T and from th to tc splenic lymphocytes in absence of stress and differentially reduces cell-specific mitogenic responses. PLoS One 2014; 9:e92664. [PMID: 24664102 PMCID: PMC3963916 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Accepted: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Extended space missions are known to induce stress and immune dysregulation. Hindlimb unloading is a ground-based model used to reproduce most spaceflight conditions. The aim of this study was to better characterize the consequences of prolonged exposure to hindlimb unloading on murine splenic lymphocyte sub-populations. To ensure that the observed changes were not due to tail restraint but to the antiorthostatic position, three groups of mice were used: control (C), orthostatic restrained (R) and hindlimb unloaded (HU). After 21 days of exposure, no difference in serum corticosterone levels nor in thymus and spleen weights were observed between HU mice and their counterparts, revealing a low state of stress. Interestingly, flow cytometric analyses showed that B cells were drastically reduced in HU mouse spleens by 59% and, while the T cells number did not change, the Th/Tc ratio was decreased. Finally, the use of a fluorescent dye monitoring lymphoproliferation demonstrated that lymphocyte response to mitogen was reduced in Th and Tc populations and to a greater extent in B cells. Thus, we showed for the first time that, even if restraint has its own effects on the animals and their splenic lymphocytes, the prolonged antiorthostatic position leads, despite the absence of stress, to an inversion of the B/T ratio in the spleen. Furthermore, the lymphoproliferative response was impaired with a strong impact on B cells. Altogether, these results suggest that B cells are more affected by hindlimb unloading than T cells which may explain the high susceptibility to pathogens, such as gram-negative bacteria, described in animal models and astronauts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Gaignier
- Stress Immunity Pathogens Laboratory, EA7300, Lorraine University, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Véronique Schenten
- Stress Immunity Pathogens Laboratory, EA7300, Lorraine University, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | | | | | - Jean-Pol Frippiat
- Stress Immunity Pathogens Laboratory, EA7300, Lorraine University, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Christine Legrand-Frossi
- Stress Immunity Pathogens Laboratory, EA7300, Lorraine University, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
- * E-mail:
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Singh KP. Screening of DNA methylation changes by methylation-sensitive random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (MS-RAPD-PCR). Methods Mol Biol 2014; 1105:71-81. [PMID: 24623220 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-739-6_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
While the role of genetic events of DNA mutations in gene expression changes is well established, increasing evidence suggests that epigenetic changes of DNA methylation and histone modifications play important role in the regulation of gene expression. DNA methylation is the most frequent epigenetic alteration observed in mammalian genomes, and it frequently mediates transcriptional repression. Various methods are available for detection of DNA methylation changes. Methylation Sensitive-Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA-Polymerase Chain Reaction (MS-RAPD-PCR) is a restriction enzyme digestion and PCR-based method for analysis of DNA methylation changes. This method is cost-effective, requires simple and basic instrumentation, and therefore can easily be performed in any laboratory with basic setup with a regular DNA thermal cycler and DNA gel electrophoresis system. Other advantages of this method over other methods for DNA methylation analysis are that it requires very less DNA amount and can screen DNA methylation changes globally at genome wide level with high sensitivity. This method has been successfully used to detect DNA methylation changes associated with various human diseases including cancer. This chapter describes the detailed experimental protocol for MS-RAPD-PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamaleshwar P Singh
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH), Texas Tech University, Reese Technology Center Bldg 555, 1207 Gilbert Drive, Lubbock, TX, 79416, USA,
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Gridley DS, Mao XW, Stodieck LS, Ferguson VL, Bateman TA, Moldovan M, Cunningham CE, Jones TA, Slater JM, Pecaut MJ. Changes in mouse thymus and spleen after return from the STS-135 mission in space. PLoS One 2013; 8:e75097. [PMID: 24069384 PMCID: PMC3777930 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2013] [Accepted: 08/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previous results with flight (FLT) mice showed abnormalities in thymuses and spleens that have potential to compromise immune defense mechanisms. In this study, the organs were further evaluated in C57BL/6 mice after Space Shuttle Atlantis returned from a 13-day mission. Thymuses and spleens were harvested from FLT mice and ground controls housed in similar animal enclosure modules (AEM). Organ and body mass, DNA fragmentation and expression of genes related to T cells and cancer were determined. Although significance was not obtained for thymus mass, DNA fragmentation was greater in the FLT group (P<0.01). Spleen mass alone and relative to body mass was significantly decreased in FLT mice (P<0.05). In FLT thymuses, 6/84 T cell-related genes were affected versus the AEM control group (P<0.05; up: IL10, Il18bp, Il18r1, Spp1; down: Ccl7, IL6); 15/84 cancer-related genes had altered expression (P<0.05; up: Casp8, FGFR2, Figf, Hgf, IGF1, Itga4, Ncam1, Pdgfa, Pik3r1, Serpinb2, Sykb; down: Cdc25a, E2F1, Mmp9, Myc). In the spleen, 8/84 cancer-related genes were affected in FLT mice compared to AEM controls (P<0.05; up: Cdkn2a; down: Birc5, Casp8, Ctnnb1, Map2k1, Mdm2, NFkB1, Pdgfa). Pathway analysis (apoptosis signaling and checkpoint regulation) was used to map relationships among the cancer–related genes. The results showed that a relatively short mission in space had a significant impact on both organs. The findings also indicate that immune system aberrations due to stressors associated with space travel should be included when estimating risk for pathologies such as cancer and infection and in designing appropriate countermeasures. Although this was the historic last flight of NASA’s Space Shuttle Program, exploration of space will undoubtedly continue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daila S. Gridley
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Radiation Research, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Xiao Wen Mao
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Radiation Research, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
| | - Louis S. Stodieck
- BioServe Space Technologies, Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Virginia L. Ferguson
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Ted A. Bateman
- Department of Bioengineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Maria Moldovan
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Radiation Research, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
| | - Christopher E. Cunningham
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Radiation Research, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
| | - Tamako A. Jones
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Radiation Research, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
| | - Jerry M. Slater
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Radiation Research, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
| | - Michael J. Pecaut
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Radiation Research, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
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Simulated microgravity combined with polyglycolic acid scaffold culture conditions improves the function of pancreatic islets. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:150739. [PMID: 24024182 PMCID: PMC3758870 DOI: 10.1155/2013/150739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2013] [Revised: 06/01/2013] [Accepted: 06/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The in vitro culture of pancreatic islets reduces their immunogenicity and prolongs their availability for transplantation. Both simulated microgravity (sMG) and a polyglycolic acid scaffold (PGA) are believed to confer advantages to cell culture. Here, we evaluated the effects of sMG combined with a PGA on the viability, insulin-producing activity and morphological alterations of pancreatic islets. Under PGA-sMG conditions, the purity of the islets was ≥85%, and the islets had a higher survival rate and an increased ability to secrete insulin compared with islets cultured alone in the static, sMG, or PGA conditions. In addition, morphological analysis under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the PGA-sMG treatment preserved the integral structure of the islets and facilitated islet adhesion to the scaffolds. These results suggest that PGA-sMG coculture has the potential to improve the viability and function of islets in vitro and provides a promising method for islet transplantation.
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Tauber S, Hauschild S, Crescio C, Secchi C, Paulsen K, Pantaleo A, Saba A, Buttron I, Thiel CS, Cogoli A, Pippia P, Ullrich O. Signal transduction in primary human T lymphocytes in altered gravity - results of the MASER-12 suborbital space flight mission. Cell Commun Signal 2013; 11:32. [PMID: 23651740 PMCID: PMC3653714 DOI: 10.1186/1478-811x-11-32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2013] [Accepted: 04/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the influence of altered gravity on key proteins of T cell activation during the MASER-12 ballistic suborbital rocket mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Swedish Space Cooperation (SSC) at ESRANGE Space Center (Kiruna, Sweden). We quantified components of the T cell receptor, the membrane proximal signaling, MAPK-signaling, IL-2R, histone modifications and the cytoskeleton in non-activated and in ConA/CD28-activated primary human T lymphocytes. The hypergravity phase during the launch resulted in a downregulation of the IL-2 and CD3 receptor and reduction of tyrosine phosphorylation, p44/42-MAPK phosphorylation and histone H3 acetylation, whereas LAT phosphorylation was increased. Compared to the baseline situation at the point of entry into the microgravity phase, CD3 and IL-2 receptor expression at the surface of non-activated T cells were reduced after 6 min microgravity. Importantly, p44/42-MAPK-phosphorylation was also reduced after 6 min microgravity compared to the 1g ground controls, but also in direct comparison between the in-flight μg and the 1g group. In activated T cells, the reduced CD3 and IL-2 receptor expression at the baseline situation recovered significantly during in-flight 1g conditions, but not during microgravity conditions. Beta-tubulin increased significantly after onset of microgravity until the end of the microgravity phase, but not in the in-flight 1g condition. This study suggests that key proteins of T cell signal modules are not severely disturbed in microgravity. Instead, it can be supposed that the strong T cell inhibiting signal occurs downstream from membrane proximal signaling, such as at the transcriptional level as described recently. However, the MASER-12 experiment could identify signal molecules, which are sensitive to altered gravity, and indicates that gravity is obviously not only a requirement for transcriptional processes as described before, but also for specific phosphorylation / dephosphorylation of signal molecules and surface receptor dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svantje Tauber
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, CH-8057, Switzerland.
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Oh HJ, Park EJ, Lee SY, Soh JW, Kong IS, Choi SW, Ra JC, Kang SK, Lee BC. Comparison of cell proliferation and epigenetic modification of gene expression patterns in canine foetal fibroblasts and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Cell Prolif 2012; 45:438-44. [PMID: 22925503 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2184.2012.00838.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study compared rate of cell proliferation, viability, cell size, expression patterns of genes related to pluripotency and epigenetic modification between canine foetal fibroblasts (cFF) and canine adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (cAd-MSC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Proliferation pattern, cell viability as well as cell size at each passage of cFF and cAd-MSC were measured when cultures reached confluence. In addition, real-time PCR was performed to investigate expression of Dnmt1, HDAC1, OCT4, SOX2, BAX, BCL2 genes with reference to β-actin gene expression as an endogenous control in both cell lines. RESULTS cFF and cAd-MSC differed in number of generations, but not in doubling times, at all passages. Mean cell size of cAd-MSC was significantly smaller than that of cFF. Cell viability was significantly lower in cFFs and apoptotic level was significantly lower in cAd-MSC compared to passage-matched cFF. In the expression of genes related to pluripotency and epigenetic modification, level of HDAC1 in cAd-MSC was significantly higher than in cFF, but expression of Dnmt1 did not differ between the two groups. OCT4 and SOX2 were significantly more highly expressed in cAd-MSC compared to cFF. CONCLUSIONS cAd-MSC have higher stem-cell potential than cFF in terms of proliferation patterns, epigenetic modification and pluripotency, thus cAd-MSC could be more appropriate than cFF as donors of nuclei in somatic cell nuclear transfer for transgenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Oh
- Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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Treas JN, Tyagi T, Singh KP. Effects of chronic exposure to arsenic and estrogen on epigenetic regulatory genes expression and epigenetic code in human prostate epithelial cells. PLoS One 2012; 7:e43880. [PMID: 22952798 PMCID: PMC3428278 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0043880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2012] [Accepted: 07/26/2012] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic exposures to arsenic and estrogen are known risk factors for prostate cancer. Though the evidence suggests that exposure to arsenic or estrogens can disrupt normal DNA methylation patterns and histone modifications, the mechanisms by which these chemicals induce epigenetic changes are not fully understood. Moreover, the epigenetic effects of co-exposure to these two chemicals are not known. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of chronic exposure to arsenic and estrogen, both alone and in combination, on the expression of epigenetic regulatory genes, their consequences on DNA methylation, and histone modifications. Human prostate epithelial cells, RWPE-1, chronically exposed to arsenic and estrogen alone and in combination were used for analysis of epigenetic regulatory genes expression, global DNA methylation changes, and histone modifications at protein level. The result of this study revealed that exposure to arsenic, estrogen, and their combination alters the expression of epigenetic regulatory genes and changes global DNA methylation and histone modification patterns in RWPE-1 cells. These changes were significantly greater in arsenic and estrogen combination treated group than individually treated group. The findings of this study will help explain the epigenetic mechanism of arsenic- and/or estrogen-induced prostate carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin N. Treas
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH), Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Tulika Tyagi
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH), Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kamaleshwar P. Singh
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH), Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
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Thiel CS, Paulsen K, Bradacs G, Lust K, Tauber S, Dumrese C, Hilliger A, Schoppmann K, Biskup J, Gölz N, Sang C, Ziegler U, Grote KH, Zipp F, Zhuang F, Engelmann F, Hemmersbach R, Cogoli A, Ullrich O. Rapid alterations of cell cycle control proteins in human T lymphocytes in microgravity. Cell Commun Signal 2012; 10:1. [PMID: 22273506 PMCID: PMC3275513 DOI: 10.1186/1478-811x-10-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2011] [Accepted: 01/24/2012] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In our study we aimed to identify rapidly reacting gravity-responsive mechanisms in mammalian cells in order to understand if and how altered gravity is translated into a cellular response. In a combination of experiments using "functional weightlessness" provided by 2D-clinostats and real microgravity provided by several parabolic flight campaigns and compared to in-flight-1g-controls, we identified rapid gravity-responsive reactions inside the cell cycle regulatory machinery of human T lymphocytes. In response to 2D clinorotation, we detected an enhanced expression of p21 Waf1/Cip1 protein within minutes, less cdc25C protein expression and enhanced Ser147-phosphorylation of cyclinB1 after CD3/CD28 stimulation. Additionally, during 2D clinorotation, Tyr-15-phosphorylation occurred later and was shorter than in the 1 g controls. In CD3/CD28-stimulated primary human T cells, mRNA expression of the cell cycle arrest protein p21 increased 4.1-fold after 20s real microgravity in primary CD4+ T cells and 2.9-fold in Jurkat T cells, compared to 1 g in-flight controls after CD3/CD28 stimulation. The histone acetyltransferase (HAT) inhibitor curcumin was able to abrogate microgravity-induced p21 mRNA expression, whereas expression was enhanced by a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. Therefore, we suppose that cell cycle progression in human T lymphocytes requires Earth gravity and that the disturbed expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins could contribute to the breakdown of the human immune system in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cora S Thiel
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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