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Simulated Microgravity Impairs Human NK Cell Cytotoxic Activity Against Space Radiation-Relevant Leukemic Cells

ABSTRACT: Natural killer (NK) cells are important effectors of the innate immune system. Unlike T cells, NK cells do not require antigen-priming, making them an important first-line of defense against malignant cells. Because of the potential for increased cancer risk as a result of astronaut exposure to space radiation, we performed studies to determine whether conditions of microgravity present during spaceflight affects the body’s natural defenses against leukemogenesis. Human NK cells were cultured for 48 hours under normal gravity and simulated microgravity (smG), and cytotoxicity against K-562 (CML) and MOLT-4 (T-ALL) cell lines was measured using standard methodology or under continuous conditions of smG. Even this brief exposure to smG markedly reduced NK cytotoxicity against both leukemic cells using standard assay procedures, and these deleterious effects were even more pronounced in continuous smG. RNA-seq performed on NK cells from two healthy donors provided insight into the mechanism(s) by which smG reduced cytotoxicity. Given our prior report that human HSC exposed to simulated space radiation gave rise to T-ALL in vivo, the reduced cytotoxicity against MOLT-4 is striking and raises the possibility thatmG may add to astronaut risk of leukemogenesis during prolonged missions beyond LEO.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE255750 | GEO | 2024/08/22

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Gravitational biology and its effects on cancer cells are of great interest, especially today that space is more accessible than ever. Despite advances in space research, little is known about the impact of microgravity on tumor and its biology and data from the literature are often contradictory due to different setup, experimental designs and analyzed time-points. Exploiting the Random Positioning machine we evaluated on pancreatic cancer cells the effects of long-term exposure to simulated microgravity (SMG) performing a large proteomic, lipidomic and transcriptional analysis at 1, 7 and 9 days. Results indicate that SMG affects cellular morphology through a time-dependent activation of “Regulation of actin-based motility by Rho”and “Cdc42” pathways that contribute to the dynamic actin rearrangement involved in the formation of 3D spheroidal structures and in the enhancement of epithelial-to mesenchymal transition. To support energy stress remediation and counteract massive apoptosis activation and cell proliferation inhibition, induced by SMG, tumor cells downregulate the protein translational machinery, and undergo a metabolic reprogramming orchestrated by the activation of HIF-1a and PI3K/Akt pathways. These two pathways pave the way for glucose metabolism encouraging upregulation of glycolysis, mitochondrial activity, Tri-carboxylic acid cycle and fatty acid synthesis (rather than B oxidation), suggesting a de novo synthesis of triglycerides involved in the formation of membrane lipid bilayer and signaling mediators. This metabolic plasticity, typical of cancer stem cells, is in accordance with the SMG-mediated activation of PI3K/Akt/NFkB/ERK5/IL-8 signaling axis that significantly upregulates the expression of stem-associated proteins and expansion of cancer stem cells with a more mesenchymal phenotype and improved migratory capability. Altogether, our findings clearly indicate that microgravity induces cancer cell transformation towards the acquisition of cancer stem cell-like features, with a more aggressive and metastatic potential and pave the base for future study of response to anti neoplastic drugs under simulated microgravity.

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Simulated Microgravity Impairs Human NK Cell Cytotoxic Activity Against Space Radiation-Relevant Leukemic Cells

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