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Pagano CA, Masini MA, Sabbatini M, Gribaudo G, Manfredi M, Caprì FG, Bonetto V, Magnelli V, Donadelli M, Corino R, Belay MH, Robotti E, Marengo E. Simulated Microgravity-Induced Alterations in PDAC Cells: A Potential Role for Trichostatin A in Restoring Cellular Phenotype. Int J Mol Sci 2025; 26:4758. [PMID: 40429900 PMCID: PMC12112487 DOI: 10.3390/ijms26104758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2025] [Revised: 05/13/2025] [Accepted: 05/14/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounts for 90% of all pancreatic malignancies. Despite the remarkable improvement concerning treatment, late detection and resistance to clinically used chemotherapeutic agents remain major challenges. Trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, has been recognized as an effective therapeutic agent against PDAC by inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and sensitizing PDAC cells to chemotherapeutic agents such as gemcitabine. Microgravity has become a useful tool in cancer research due to its effects on various cellular processes. This paper presents a deep molecular and proteomic analysis investigating cell growth, the modulation of cytokeratins, and proteins related to apoptosis, cellular metabolism, and protein synthesis after TSA treatment in simulated microgravity (SMG)-exposed PaCa44 3D cells. Our analysis concerns the effects of TSA treatment on cell proliferation: the impairment of the cell cycle with the downregulation of proteins involved in Cdc42 signaling and G1/G2- and G2/M-phase transitions. Thus, we observed modification of survival pathways and proteins related to autophagy and apoptosis. We also observed changes in proteins involved in the regulation of transcription and the repair of damaged DNA. TSA treatment promotes the downregulation of some markers involved in the maintenance of the potency of stem cells, while it upregulates proteins involved in the induction and modulation of the differentiation process. Our data suggest that TSA treatment restores the cell phenotype prior to simulated microgravity exposure, and exerts an intriguing activity on PDAC cells by reducing proliferation and inducing cell death via multiple pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Anais Pagano
- Department of Science and Innovation Technology (DISIT), Università del Piemonte Orientale, 15121 Alessandria, Italy; (C.A.P.); (M.A.M.); (G.G.); (F.G.C.); (V.B.); (V.M.); (M.H.B.); (E.R.); (E.M.)
| | - Maria Angela Masini
- Department of Science and Innovation Technology (DISIT), Università del Piemonte Orientale, 15121 Alessandria, Italy; (C.A.P.); (M.A.M.); (G.G.); (F.G.C.); (V.B.); (V.M.); (M.H.B.); (E.R.); (E.M.)
| | - Maurizio Sabbatini
- Department of Science and Innovation Technology (DISIT), Università del Piemonte Orientale, 15121 Alessandria, Italy; (C.A.P.); (M.A.M.); (G.G.); (F.G.C.); (V.B.); (V.M.); (M.H.B.); (E.R.); (E.M.)
| | - Giorgia Gribaudo
- Department of Science and Innovation Technology (DISIT), Università del Piemonte Orientale, 15121 Alessandria, Italy; (C.A.P.); (M.A.M.); (G.G.); (F.G.C.); (V.B.); (V.M.); (M.H.B.); (E.R.); (E.M.)
| | - Marcello Manfredi
- Department of Translational Medicine (DIMET), University of Eastern Piedmont, 28100 Novara, Italy;
- Institute for Molecular and Translational Cardiology (IMTC), IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 Milan, Italy
| | - Flavia Giusy Caprì
- Department of Science and Innovation Technology (DISIT), Università del Piemonte Orientale, 15121 Alessandria, Italy; (C.A.P.); (M.A.M.); (G.G.); (F.G.C.); (V.B.); (V.M.); (M.H.B.); (E.R.); (E.M.)
| | - Valentina Bonetto
- Department of Science and Innovation Technology (DISIT), Università del Piemonte Orientale, 15121 Alessandria, Italy; (C.A.P.); (M.A.M.); (G.G.); (F.G.C.); (V.B.); (V.M.); (M.H.B.); (E.R.); (E.M.)
| | - Valeria Magnelli
- Department of Science and Innovation Technology (DISIT), Università del Piemonte Orientale, 15121 Alessandria, Italy; (C.A.P.); (M.A.M.); (G.G.); (F.G.C.); (V.B.); (V.M.); (M.H.B.); (E.R.); (E.M.)
| | - Massimo Donadelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences (DNBM), University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy;
| | - Roberto Corino
- Centro Italiano di Diagnostica Medica Ultrasonica (CIDIMU), 10128 Turin, Italy;
| | - Masho Hilawie Belay
- Department of Science and Innovation Technology (DISIT), Università del Piemonte Orientale, 15121 Alessandria, Italy; (C.A.P.); (M.A.M.); (G.G.); (F.G.C.); (V.B.); (V.M.); (M.H.B.); (E.R.); (E.M.)
| | - Elisa Robotti
- Department of Science and Innovation Technology (DISIT), Università del Piemonte Orientale, 15121 Alessandria, Italy; (C.A.P.); (M.A.M.); (G.G.); (F.G.C.); (V.B.); (V.M.); (M.H.B.); (E.R.); (E.M.)
| | - Emilio Marengo
- Department of Science and Innovation Technology (DISIT), Università del Piemonte Orientale, 15121 Alessandria, Italy; (C.A.P.); (M.A.M.); (G.G.); (F.G.C.); (V.B.); (V.M.); (M.H.B.); (E.R.); (E.M.)
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Akbarialiabad H, Jamshidi P, Aminzade Z, Azizi N, Taha SR, Sadeghian N, Varghese LJK, Kouhanjani MF, Niknam N, Babocs D, El-Assaad F, Russomano T, Murrell DF, Paydar S, Bunick CG, Christiansen R, Mark Melin M. Leveraging space innovations for cancer breakthroughs on Earth. Trends Cancer 2025; 11:433-440. [PMID: 40082142 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2025.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2024] [Revised: 02/07/2025] [Accepted: 02/12/2025] [Indexed: 03/16/2025]
Abstract
Space science is reshaping oncology by providing novel insights into cancer biology, diagnostics, and therapeutics. The unique space environment - characterized by microgravity and cosmic radiation - induces profound alterations in cancer cell behavior, immune responses, and tumor microenvironment (TME) interactions. These conditions offer a platform for studying cancer progression, enhancing drug discovery, and refining treatment strategies. This opinion article explores microgravity-induced changes in tumor biology, space-driven advancements in imaging and radiation research, and extraterrestrial contributions to cancer therapeutics. By leveraging these innovations, space research holds transformative potential for improving cancer diagnostics and treatment on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Akbarialiabad
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; American Canadian School of Medicine, Portsmouth, Dominica; Nuvance Global Health Program, Nuvance Health, Danbury, CT, USA.
| | - Parnian Jamshidi
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Aminzade
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Narges Azizi
- Advanced Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Research Center (ADIR), Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Reza Taha
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Najmeh Sadeghian
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Lydia Johnson Kolaparambil Varghese
- European Society of Aerospace Medicine, Space Medicine Group, Cologne, Germany; University Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine, Pain Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Johannes Wesling Klinikum Minden, University Hospital Ruhr-University Bochum, Minden, Germany; German Society of Aerospace Medicine (DGLRM), 80331 Munich, Germany
| | - Mohsen Farjoud Kouhanjani
- Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Epilepsy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Dora Babocs
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Fatima El-Assaad
- UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, St George and Sutherland Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Thais Russomano
- Center for Aerospace Medicine Studies, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Dedee F Murrell
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Dermatology, St George Hospital, Sydney, Australia; The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia
| | - Shahram Paydar
- Trauma Research Center, Shahid Rajaee (Emtiaz) Trauma Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Rowena Christiansen
- Department of Medical Education, The University of Melbourne Medical School, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - M Mark Melin
- Gonda Vascular Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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Grimm D, Corydon TJ, Sahana J, González-Torres LF, Kraus A, Marchal S, Wise PM, Simonsen U, Krüger M. Recent studies of the effects of microgravity on cancer cells and the development of 3D multicellular cancer spheroids. Stem Cells Transl Med 2025; 14:szaf008. [PMID: 40099549 PMCID: PMC11914975 DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szaf008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2025] [Indexed: 03/20/2025] Open
Abstract
The still young and developing space age, characterized by lunar and Martian exploration and the vision of extraterrestrial settlements, presents a unique environment to study the impact of microgravity (µg) on human physiology and disease development. Cancer research is currently a key focus of international space science, as µg fundamentally impacts cellular processes like differentiation, adhesion, migration, proliferation, survival, cell death, or growth of cancer cells as well as the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix (ECM). By creating three-dimensional (3D) tumor models in a µg-environment, like multicellular spheroids (MCS), researchers can expedite drug discovery and development, reducing the need for animal testing. This concise review analyses the latest knowledge on the influence of µg on cancer cells and MCS formation. We will focus on cells from brain tumors, lung, breast, thyroid, prostate, gastrointestinal, and skin cancer exposed to real (r-) and simulated (s-) µg-conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Grimm
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke-University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto-von-Guericke-University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Thomas J Corydon
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Jayashree Sahana
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Luis Fernando González-Torres
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke-University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Armin Kraus
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Shannon Marchal
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke-University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Petra M Wise
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke-University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto-von-Guericke-University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States
| | - Ulf Simonsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Marcus Krüger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke-University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto-von-Guericke-University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
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Cheng L, Li Y, Yan J. Space biological and human survival: Investigations into plants, animals, microorganisms and their components and bioregenerative life support systems. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2025; 44:143-153. [PMID: 39864907 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2024.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2024] [Revised: 10/10/2024] [Accepted: 10/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2025]
Abstract
Space life science has been a frontier discipline in the life sciences, aiming to study the life phenomena of earth organisms and their activity patterns under the special environment of space. This review summarizes studies in various key topics in space life science, namely, how microbiome changes in humans and plants, the development of space agriculture and the use of animal, plant and cell models to study the effect of space environments on physiology. We highlight the new possibilities of using high-quality protein crystals uniquely available when grown under space conditions to aid drug development on earth, and the state-of-the-art Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) to achieve long term human survival in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Cheng
- Holosensor Medical Technology Ltd, Room 12, No. 1798, Zhonghuayuan West Road, Yushan Town, Suzhou 215000, PR China
| | - Yitong Li
- Holosensor Medical Technology Ltd, Room 12, No. 1798, Zhonghuayuan West Road, Yushan Town, Suzhou 215000, PR China
| | - Jing Yan
- Holosensor Medical Technology Ltd, Room 12, No. 1798, Zhonghuayuan West Road, Yushan Town, Suzhou 215000, PR China; Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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Barkia B, Sandt V, Melnik D, Cortés-Sánchez JL, Marchal S, Baselet B, Baatout S, Sahana J, Grimm D, Wehland M, Schulz H, Infanger M, Kraus A, Krüger M. The Formation of Stable Lung Tumor Spheroids during Random Positioning Involves Increased Estrogen Sensitivity. Biomolecules 2024; 14:1292. [PMID: 39456226 PMCID: PMC11506229 DOI: 10.3390/biom14101292] [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: 09/06/2024] [Revised: 10/01/2024] [Accepted: 10/10/2024] [Indexed: 10/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The formation of tumor spheroids on the random positioning machine (RPM) is a complex and important process, as it enables the study of metastasis ex vivo. However, this process is not yet understood in detail. In this study, we compared the RPM-induced spheroid formation of two cell types of lung carcinoma (NCI-H1703 squamous cell carcinoma cells and Calu-3 adenocarcinoma cells). While NCI-H1703 cells were mainly present as spheroids after 3 days of random positioning, Calu-3 cells remained predominantly as a cell layer. We found that two-dimensional-growing Calu-3 cells have less mucin-1, further downregulate their expression on the RPM and therefore exhibit a higher adhesiveness. In addition, we observed that Calu-3 cells can form spheroids, but they are unstable due to an imbalanced ratio of adhesion proteins (β1-integrin, E-cadherin) and anti-adhesion proteins (mucin-1) and are likely to disintegrate in the shear environment of the RPM. RPM-exposed Calu-3 cells showed a strongly upregulated expression of the estrogen receptor alpha gene ESR1. In the presence of 17β-estradiol or phenol red, more stable Calu-3 spheroids were formed, which was presumably related to an increased amount of E-cadherin in the cell aggregates. Thus, RPM-induced tumor spheroid formation depends not solely on cell-type-specific properties but also on the complex interplay between the mechanical influences of the RPM and, to some extent, the chemical composition of the medium used during the experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balkis Barkia
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (B.B.); (V.S.); (D.M.); (J.L.C.-S.); (S.M.); (M.W.); (H.S.)
| | - Viviann Sandt
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (B.B.); (V.S.); (D.M.); (J.L.C.-S.); (S.M.); (M.W.); (H.S.)
| | - Daniela Melnik
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (B.B.); (V.S.); (D.M.); (J.L.C.-S.); (S.M.); (M.W.); (H.S.)
| | - José Luis Cortés-Sánchez
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (B.B.); (V.S.); (D.M.); (J.L.C.-S.); (S.M.); (M.W.); (H.S.)
| | - Shannon Marchal
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (B.B.); (V.S.); (D.M.); (J.L.C.-S.); (S.M.); (M.W.); (H.S.)
| | - Bjorn Baselet
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK-CEN, 2400 Mol, Belgium; (B.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK-CEN, 2400 Mol, Belgium; (B.B.); (S.B.)
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jayashree Sahana
- Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (J.S.); (D.G.)
| | - Daniela Grimm
- Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (J.S.); (D.G.)
| | - Markus Wehland
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (B.B.); (V.S.); (D.M.); (J.L.C.-S.); (S.M.); (M.W.); (H.S.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (M.I.); (A.K.)
| | - Herbert Schulz
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (B.B.); (V.S.); (D.M.); (J.L.C.-S.); (S.M.); (M.W.); (H.S.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (M.I.); (A.K.)
| | - Manfred Infanger
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (M.I.); (A.K.)
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Armin Kraus
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (M.I.); (A.K.)
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Krüger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (B.B.); (V.S.); (D.M.); (J.L.C.-S.); (S.M.); (M.W.); (H.S.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (M.I.); (A.K.)
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Filippelli A, Ciccone V, Del Gaudio C, Simonis V, Frosini M, Tusa I, Menconi A, Rovida E, Donnini S. ERK5 mediates pro-tumorigenic phenotype in non-small lung cancer cells induced by PGE2. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2024; 1871:119810. [PMID: 39128596 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2024.119810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) constituting approximately 84 % of all lung cancer cases. The role of inflammation in the initiation and progression of NSCLC tumors has been the focus of extensive research. Among the various inflammatory mediators, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) plays a pivotal role in promoting the aggressiveness of epithelial tumors through multiple mechanisms, including the stimulation of growth, evasion of apoptosis, invasion, and induction of angiogenesis. The Extracellular signal-Regulated Kinase 5 (ERK5), the last discovered member among conventional mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), is implicated in cancer-associated inflammation. In this study, we explored whether ERK5 is involved in the process of tumorigenesis induced by PGE2. Using A549 and PC9 NSCLC cell lines, we found that PGE2 triggers the activation of ERK5 via the EP1 receptor. Moreover, both genetic and pharmacological inhibition of ERK5 reduced PGE2-induced proliferation, migration, invasion and stemness of A549 and PC9 cells, indicating that ERK5 plays a critical role in PGE2-induced tumorigenesis. In summary, our study underscores the pivotal role of the PGE2/EP1/ERK5 axis in driving the malignancy of NSCLC cells in vitro. Targeting this axis holds promise as a potential avenue for developing novel therapeutic strategies aimed at controlling the advancement of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valerio Ciccone
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Cinzia Del Gaudio
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Vittoria Simonis
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Frosini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Ignazia Tusa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Alessio Menconi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Rovida
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - Sandra Donnini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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7
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Abdelfattah F, Schulz H, Wehland M, Corydon TJ, Sahana J, Kraus A, Krüger M, González-Torres LF, Cortés-Sánchez JL, Wise PM, Mushunuri A, Hemmersbach R, Liemersdorf C, Infanger M, Grimm D. Omics Studies of Specialized Cells and Stem Cells under Microgravity Conditions. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:10014. [PMID: 39337501 PMCID: PMC11431953 DOI: 10.3390/ijms251810014] [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: 08/20/2024] [Revised: 09/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The primary objective of omics in space with focus on the human organism is to characterize and quantify biological factors that alter structure, morphology, function, and dynamics of human cells exposed to microgravity. This review discusses exciting data regarding genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, metabolomics, and proteomics of human cells and individuals in space, as well as cells cultured under simulated microgravity. The NASA Twins Study significantly heightened interest in applying omics technologies and bioinformatics in space and terrestrial environments. Here, we present the available publications in this field with a focus on specialized cells and stem cells exposed to real and simulated microgravity conditions. We summarize current knowledge of the following topics: (i) omics studies on stem cells, (ii) omics studies on benign specialized different cell types of the human organism, (iii) discussing the advantages of this knowledge for space commercialization and exploration, and (iv) summarizing the emerging opportunities for translational regenerative medicine for space travelers and human patients on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Abdelfattah
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (F.A.); (H.S.); (M.W.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (L.F.G.-T.); (J.L.C.-S.); (P.M.W.); (A.M.); (M.I.)
| | - Herbert Schulz
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (F.A.); (H.S.); (M.W.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (L.F.G.-T.); (J.L.C.-S.); (P.M.W.); (A.M.); (M.I.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Markus Wehland
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (F.A.); (H.S.); (M.W.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (L.F.G.-T.); (J.L.C.-S.); (P.M.W.); (A.M.); (M.I.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Thomas J. Corydon
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (T.J.C.); (J.S.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jayashree Sahana
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (T.J.C.); (J.S.)
| | - Armin Kraus
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (F.A.); (H.S.); (M.W.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (L.F.G.-T.); (J.L.C.-S.); (P.M.W.); (A.M.); (M.I.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Krüger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (F.A.); (H.S.); (M.W.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (L.F.G.-T.); (J.L.C.-S.); (P.M.W.); (A.M.); (M.I.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Luis Fernando González-Torres
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (F.A.); (H.S.); (M.W.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (L.F.G.-T.); (J.L.C.-S.); (P.M.W.); (A.M.); (M.I.)
| | - José Luis Cortés-Sánchez
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (F.A.); (H.S.); (M.W.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (L.F.G.-T.); (J.L.C.-S.); (P.M.W.); (A.M.); (M.I.)
| | - Petra M. Wise
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (F.A.); (H.S.); (M.W.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (L.F.G.-T.); (J.L.C.-S.); (P.M.W.); (A.M.); (M.I.)
- The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, 4650 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
| | - Ashwini Mushunuri
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (F.A.); (H.S.); (M.W.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (L.F.G.-T.); (J.L.C.-S.); (P.M.W.); (A.M.); (M.I.)
| | - Ruth Hemmersbach
- Department of Applied Aerospace Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 51147 Cologne, Germany; (R.H.); (C.L.)
| | - Christian Liemersdorf
- Department of Applied Aerospace Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 51147 Cologne, Germany; (R.H.); (C.L.)
| | - Manfred Infanger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (F.A.); (H.S.); (M.W.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (L.F.G.-T.); (J.L.C.-S.); (P.M.W.); (A.M.); (M.I.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Grimm
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (F.A.); (H.S.); (M.W.); (A.K.); (M.K.); (L.F.G.-T.); (J.L.C.-S.); (P.M.W.); (A.M.); (M.I.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (T.J.C.); (J.S.)
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Wen L, Liu Z, Zhou L, Liu Z, Li Q, Geng B, Xia Y. Bone and Extracellular Signal-Related Kinase 5 (ERK5). Biomolecules 2024; 14:556. [PMID: 38785963 PMCID: PMC11117709 DOI: 10.3390/biom14050556] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Bones are vital for anchoring muscles, tendons, and ligaments, serving as a fundamental element of the human skeletal structure. However, our understanding of bone development mechanisms and the maintenance of bone homeostasis is still limited. Extracellular signal-related kinase 5 (ERK5), a recently identified member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, plays a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of various diseases, especially neoplasms. Recent studies have highlighted ERK5's significant role in both bone development and bone-associated pathologies. This review offers a detailed examination of the latest research on ERK5 in different tissues and diseases, with a particular focus on its implications for bone health. It also examines therapeutic strategies and future research avenues targeting ERK5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wen
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital & Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China; (L.W.); (Z.L.); (L.Z.); (Z.L.); (Q.L.); (B.G.)
- Orthopedic Clinical Medical Research Center and Intelligent Orthopedic Industry Technology Center of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730030, China
- Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Zirui Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital & Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China; (L.W.); (Z.L.); (L.Z.); (Z.L.); (Q.L.); (B.G.)
- Orthopedic Clinical Medical Research Center and Intelligent Orthopedic Industry Technology Center of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730030, China
| | - Libo Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital & Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China; (L.W.); (Z.L.); (L.Z.); (Z.L.); (Q.L.); (B.G.)
- Orthopedic Clinical Medical Research Center and Intelligent Orthopedic Industry Technology Center of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730030, China
| | - Zhongcheng Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital & Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China; (L.W.); (Z.L.); (L.Z.); (Z.L.); (Q.L.); (B.G.)
- Orthopedic Clinical Medical Research Center and Intelligent Orthopedic Industry Technology Center of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730030, China
| | - Qingda Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital & Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China; (L.W.); (Z.L.); (L.Z.); (Z.L.); (Q.L.); (B.G.)
- Orthopedic Clinical Medical Research Center and Intelligent Orthopedic Industry Technology Center of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730030, China
| | - Bin Geng
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital & Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China; (L.W.); (Z.L.); (L.Z.); (Z.L.); (Q.L.); (B.G.)
- Orthopedic Clinical Medical Research Center and Intelligent Orthopedic Industry Technology Center of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730030, China
| | - Yayi Xia
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital & Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China; (L.W.); (Z.L.); (L.Z.); (Z.L.); (Q.L.); (B.G.)
- Orthopedic Clinical Medical Research Center and Intelligent Orthopedic Industry Technology Center of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730030, China
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9
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Fava M, De Dominicis N, Forte G, Bari M, Leuti A, Maccarrone M. Cellular and Molecular Effects of Microgravity on the Immune System: A Focus on Bioactive Lipids. Biomolecules 2024; 14:446. [PMID: 38672462 PMCID: PMC11048039 DOI: 10.3390/biom14040446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Microgravity is one of the main stressors that astronauts are exposed to during space missions. This condition has been linked to many disorders, including those that feature dysfunctional immune homeostasis and inflammatory damage. Over the past 30 years, a significant body of work has been gathered connecting weightlessness-either authentic or simulated-to an inefficient reaction to pathogens, dysfunctional production of cytokines and impaired survival of immune cells. These processes are also orchestrated by a plethora of bioactive lipids, produced by virtually all cells involved in immune events, which control the induction, magnitude, outcome, compartmentalization and trafficking of immunocytes during the response to injury. Despite their crucial importance in inflammation and its modulation, however, data concerning the role of bioactive lipids in microgravity-induced immune dysfunctions are surprisingly scarce, both in quantity and in variety, and the vast majority of it focuses on two lipid classes, namely eicosanoids and endocannabinoids. The present review aims to outline the accumulated knowledge addressing the effects elicited by microgravity-both simulated and authentic-on the metabolism and signaling of these two prominent lipid groups in the context of immune and inflammatory homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Fava
- Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy; (M.F.); (G.F.)
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Noemi De Dominicis
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy;
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Giulia Forte
- Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy; (M.F.); (G.F.)
| | - Monica Bari
- Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy; (M.F.); (G.F.)
| | - Alessandro Leuti
- Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy; (M.F.); (G.F.)
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
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10
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Graf J, Schulz H, Wehland M, Corydon TJ, Sahana J, Abdelfattah F, Wuest SL, Egli M, Krüger M, Kraus A, Wise PM, Infanger M, Grimm D. Omics Studies of Tumor Cells under Microgravity Conditions. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:926. [PMID: 38255998 PMCID: PMC10815863 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020926] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is defined as a group of diseases characterized by abnormal cell growth, expansion, and progression with metastasis. Various signaling pathways are involved in its development. Malignant tumors exhibit a high morbidity and mortality. Cancer research increased our knowledge about some of the underlying mechanisms, but to this day, our understanding of this disease is unclear. High throughput omics technology and bioinformatics were successful in detecting some of the unknown cancer mechanisms. However, novel groundbreaking research and ideas are necessary. A stay in orbit causes biochemical and molecular biological changes in human cancer cells which are first, and above all, due to microgravity (µg). The µg-environment provides conditions that are not reachable on Earth, which allow researchers to focus on signaling pathways controlling cell growth and metastasis. Cancer research in space already demonstrated how cancer cell-exposure to µg influenced several biological processes being involved in cancer. This novel approach has the potential to fight cancer and to develop future cancer strategies. Space research has been shown to impact biological processes in cancer cells like proliferation, apoptosis, cell survival, adhesion, migration, the cytoskeleton, the extracellular matrix, focal adhesion, and growth factors, among others. This concise review focuses on publications related to genetic, transcriptional, epigenetic, proteomic, and metabolomic studies on tumor cells exposed to real space conditions or to simulated µg using simulation devices. We discuss all omics studies investigating different tumor cell types from the brain and hematological system, sarcomas, as well as thyroid, prostate, breast, gynecologic, gastrointestinal, and lung cancers, in order to gain new and innovative ideas for understanding the basic biology of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Graf
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.G.); (H.S.); (M.W.); (F.A.); (M.K.); (P.M.W.)
| | - Herbert Schulz
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.G.); (H.S.); (M.W.); (F.A.); (M.K.); (P.M.W.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (A.K.); (M.I.)
| | - Markus Wehland
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.G.); (H.S.); (M.W.); (F.A.); (M.K.); (P.M.W.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (A.K.); (M.I.)
| | - Thomas J. Corydon
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (T.J.C.); (J.S.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Jayashree Sahana
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (T.J.C.); (J.S.)
| | - Fatima Abdelfattah
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.G.); (H.S.); (M.W.); (F.A.); (M.K.); (P.M.W.)
| | - Simon L. Wuest
- Space Biology Group, Institute of Medical Engineering, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 6052 Hergiswil, Switzerland (M.E.)
| | - Marcel Egli
- Space Biology Group, Institute of Medical Engineering, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 6052 Hergiswil, Switzerland (M.E.)
- National Center for Biomedical Research in Space, Innovation Cluster Space and Aviation (UZH Space Hub), University Zurich, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marcus Krüger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.G.); (H.S.); (M.W.); (F.A.); (M.K.); (P.M.W.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (A.K.); (M.I.)
| | - Armin Kraus
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (A.K.); (M.I.)
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Petra M. Wise
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.G.); (H.S.); (M.W.); (F.A.); (M.K.); (P.M.W.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (A.K.); (M.I.)
- The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, 4650 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
| | - Manfred Infanger
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (A.K.); (M.I.)
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Grimm
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.G.); (H.S.); (M.W.); (F.A.); (M.K.); (P.M.W.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (A.K.); (M.I.)
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (T.J.C.); (J.S.)
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Cortés-Sánchez JL, Melnik D, Sandt V, Kahlert S, Marchal S, Johnson IRD, Calvaruso M, Liemersdorf C, Wuest SL, Grimm D, Krüger M. Fluid and Bubble Flow Detach Adherent Cancer Cells to Form Spheroids on a Random Positioning Machine. Cells 2023; 12:2665. [PMID: 37998400 PMCID: PMC10670461 DOI: 10.3390/cells12222665] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In preparing space and microgravity experiments, the utilization of ground-based facilities is common for initial experiments and feasibility studies. One approach to simulating microgravity conditions on Earth is to employ a random positioning machine (RPM) as a rotary bioreactor. Combined with a suitable low-mass model system, such as cell cultures, these devices simulating microgravity have been shown to produce results similar to those obtained in a space experiment under real microgravity conditions. One of these effects observed under real and simulated microgravity is the formation of spheroids from 2D adherent cancer cell cultures. Since real microgravity cannot be generated in a laboratory on Earth, we aimed to determine which forces lead to the detachment of individual FTC-133 thyroid cancer cells and the formation of tumor spheroids during culture with exposure to random positioning modes. To this end, we subdivided the RPM motion into different static and dynamic orientations of cell culture flasks. We focused on the molecular activation of the mechanosignaling pathways previously associated with spheroid formation in microgravity. Our results suggest that RPM-induced spheroid formation is a two-step process. First, the cells need to be detached, induced by the cell culture flask's rotation and the subsequent fluid flow, as well as the presence of air bubbles. Once the cells are detached and in suspension, random positioning prevents sedimentation, allowing 3D aggregates to form. In a comparative shear stress experiment using defined fluid flow paradigms, transcriptional responses were triggered comparable to exposure of FTC-133 cells to the RPM. In summary, the RPM serves as a simulator of microgravity by randomizing the impact of Earth's gravity vector especially for suspension (i.e., detached) cells. Simultaneously, it simulates physiological shear forces on the adherent cell layer. The RPM thus offers a unique combination of environmental conditions for in vitro cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Luis Cortés-Sánchez
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.L.C.-S.); (D.M.); (V.S.); (S.M.); (D.G.)
| | - Daniela Melnik
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.L.C.-S.); (D.M.); (V.S.); (S.M.); (D.G.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto-von-Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Viviann Sandt
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.L.C.-S.); (D.M.); (V.S.); (S.M.); (D.G.)
| | - Stefan Kahlert
- Institute of Anatomy, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany;
| | - Shannon Marchal
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.L.C.-S.); (D.M.); (V.S.); (S.M.); (D.G.)
| | - Ian R. D. Johnson
- Research in Space Environments Group, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia;
| | - Marco Calvaruso
- Institute of Bioimaging and Molecular Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), 90015 Cefalù, Italy;
| | - Christian Liemersdorf
- Department of Gravitational Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center, 51147 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Simon L. Wuest
- Institute of Medical Engineering, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 6052 Hergiswil, Switzerland;
| | - Daniela Grimm
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.L.C.-S.); (D.M.); (V.S.); (S.M.); (D.G.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto-von-Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Marcus Krüger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (J.L.C.-S.); (D.M.); (V.S.); (S.M.); (D.G.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto-von-Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
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Corydon TJ, Schulz H, Richter P, Strauch SM, Böhmer M, Ricciardi DA, Wehland M, Krüger M, Erzinger GS, Lebert M, Infanger M, Wise PM, Grimm D. Current Knowledge about the Impact of Microgravity on Gene Regulation. Cells 2023; 12:cells12071043. [PMID: 37048115 PMCID: PMC10093652 DOI: 10.3390/cells12071043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Microgravity (µg) has a massive impact on the health of space explorers. Microgravity changes the proliferation, differentiation, and growth of cells. As crewed spaceflights into deep space are being planned along with the commercialization of space travelling, researchers have focused on gene regulation in cells and organisms exposed to real (r-) and simulated (s-) µg. In particular, cancer and metastasis research benefits from the findings obtained under µg conditions. Gene regulation is a key factor in a cell or an organism’s ability to sustain life and respond to environmental changes. It is a universal process to control the amount, location, and timing in which genes are expressed. In this review, we provide an overview of µg-induced changes in the numerous mechanisms involved in gene regulation, including regulatory proteins, microRNAs, and the chemical modification of DNA. In particular, we discuss the current knowledge about the impact of microgravity on gene regulation in different types of bacteria, protists, fungi, animals, humans, and cells with a focus on the brain, eye, endothelium, immune system, cartilage, muscle, bone, and various cancers as well as recent findings in plants. Importantly, the obtained data clearly imply that µg experiments can support translational medicine on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J. Corydon
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Hoegh Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Blvd. 99, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-28-992-179
| | - Herbert Schulz
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Peter Richter
- Gravitational Biology Group, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sebastian M. Strauch
- Postgraduate Program in Health and Environment, University of Joinville Region, Joinville 89219-710, SC, Brazil
| | - Maik Böhmer
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe Universität, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Dario A. Ricciardi
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe Universität, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Markus Wehland
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Krüger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Gilmar S. Erzinger
- Postgraduate Program in Health and Environment, University of Joinville Region, Joinville 89219-710, SC, Brazil
| | - Michael Lebert
- Gravitational Biology Group, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Manfred Infanger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Petra M. Wise
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, 4650 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
| | - Daniela Grimm
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Hoegh Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
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Consonni FM, Durante B, Manfredi M, Bleve A, Pandolfo C, Garlatti V, Vanella VV, Marengo E, Barberis E, Bottazzi B, Bombace S, My I, Condorelli G, Torri V, Sica A. Immunometabolic interference between cancer and COVID-19. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1168455. [PMID: 37063865 PMCID: PMC10090695 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1168455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Even though cancer patients are generally considered more susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the mechanisms driving their predisposition to severe forms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have not yet been deciphered. Since metabolic disorders are associated with homeostatic frailty, which increases the risk of infection and cancer, we asked whether we could identify immunometabolic pathways intersecting with cancer and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thanks to a combined flow cytometry and multiomics approach, here we show that the immunometabolic traits of COVID-19 cancer patients encompass alterations in the frequency and activation status of circulating myeloid and lymphoid subsets, and that these changes are associated with i) depletion of tryptophan and its related neuromediator tryptamine, ii) accumulation of immunosuppressive tryptophan metabolites (i.e., kynurenines), and iii) low nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) availability. This metabolic imbalance is accompanied by altered expression of inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), with a distinctive downregulation of IL-6 and upregulation of IFNγ mRNA expression levels. Altogether, our findings indicate that cancer not only attenuates the inflammatory state in COVID-19 patients but also contributes to weakening their precarious metabolic state by interfering with NAD+-dependent immune homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Maria Consonni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale “A. Avogadro”, Novara, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Centre, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Durante
- IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Centre, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marcello Manfredi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Augusto Bleve
- IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Centre, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Pandolfo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale “A. Avogadro”, Novara, Italy
| | - Valentina Garlatti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale “A. Avogadro”, Novara, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Centre, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Virginia Vita Vanella
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Emilio Marengo
- Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Department of Sciences and Technological Innovation, University of Piemonte Orientale, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Elettra Barberis
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Barbara Bottazzi
- IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Centre, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Bombace
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele-Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria My
- IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Centre, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele-Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Condorelli
- IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Centre, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele-Milan, Italy
| | - Valter Torri
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri-IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Sica
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale “A. Avogadro”, Novara, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Centre, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Antonio Sica,
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Ma C, Duan X, Lei X. 3D cell culture model: From ground experiment to microgravity study. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1136583. [PMID: 37034251 PMCID: PMC10080128 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1136583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Microgravity has been shown to induce many changes in cell growth and differentiation due to offloading the gravitational strain normally exerted on cells. Although many studies have used two-dimensional (2D) cell culture systems to investigate the effects of microgravity on cell growth, three-dimensional (3D) culture scaffolds can offer more direct indications of the modified cell response to microgravity-related dysregulations compared to 2D culture methods. Thus, knowledge of 3D cell culture is essential for better understanding the in vivo tissue function and physiological response under microgravity conditions. This review discusses the advances in 2D and 3D cell culture studies, particularly emphasizing the role of hydrogels, which can provide cells with a mimic in vivo environment to collect a more natural response. We also summarized recent studies about cell growth and differentiation under real microgravity or simulated microgravity conditions using ground-based equipment. Finally, we anticipate that hydrogel-based 3D culture models will play an essential role in constructing organoids, discovering the causes of microgravity-dependent molecular and cellular changes, improving space tissue regeneration, and developing innovative therapeutic strategies. Future research into the 3D culture in microgravity conditions could lead to valuable therapeutic applications in health and pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiyuan Ma
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xianglong Duan
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China
- Second Department of General Surgery, Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Xianglong Duan, ; Xiaohua Lei,
| | - Xiaohua Lei
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Xianglong Duan, ; Xiaohua Lei,
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