Project description:We differentiated motor neuron progenitor cells through small molecule combination and put them under microgravity and normal gravity respectively, and then performed gene expression profiling analysis using data obtained from RNA-seq of cells from 2 different group.
Project description:We differentiated motor neuron progenitor cells through small molecule combination and put them under microgravity and normal gravity respectively, and then performed gene expression profiling analysis using data obtained from RNA-seq of cells from 2 different group.
Project description:The liver is an essential multifunctional organ, which constantly communicates with nearly all tissues. It has raised the concern that microgravity exposure can lead to liver dysfunction and metabolic syndromes. However, systematic studies, molecular mechanisms, and intervention measures of the adverse effects of microgravity on hepatocytes are limited. In this study, we utilized the Random Positioning Machine culture system to investigate the adverse effects on hepatocytes under simulated microgravity (SMG). Our results showed that SMG impaired hepatocyte viability, causing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Compared to normal gravity (NG), it also triggered lipid accumulation, elevated triglyceride (TG) and ROS levels, and impaired mitochondria function in hepatocytes. Furthermore, RNA-seq results showed that SMG upregulated genes implicated in lipid metabolisms, including PPARγ, PLIN2, CD36, FABPs, etc.. Importantly, all these defects can be suppressed by melatonin, a potent antioxidant secreted by the pineal gland, suggesting its potential use as a novel strategy of therapeutic intervention.
Project description:Purpose: Microgravity is one of crucial factors which affects astronauts’ health in space. The goals of this study are to compare SMG-pretreated macrophages infected with EPEC by RNA-sequencing to investigate the immunity-related differential expression genes and signaling pathway and to make for prevention and therapy of infectious diseases in space. Methods: 3-day SMG-pretreatment macrophages were infected with EPEC (a kind of enteropathogen) and macrophages infected with EPEC under normal gravity as control and then we used RNA sequencing on Illumina platform. The sequence reads that passed quality filters were analyzed at the transcript isoform level by Volcano Plot, KEEG database and InnateDB database. qRT–PCR validation was performed using SYBR Green assays. Results: After RNA sequencing, we got 1272 differential expression genes (DEGs) of which 542 were up-regulated, 720 were down-regulated DEGs. KEGG pathway enrichment scatter plot showed that cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and MAPK signaling pathway were optimal-related to infection immunity under simulated microgravity. Because of our study involved in infection immunity, we chose a database on immunity called InnateDB to screen the DEGs related to immunity. We found 14 DEGs in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, of which 7 were up-regulated, and 7 were down-regulated and 36 DEGs in MAPK signaling pathway, of which 11 were up-regulated, and 25 were down-regulated. In cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction signaling pathway, except for Il 33 (P>0. 05), the results of mRNA expression of DEGs in macrophages infected with EPEC were consistent with the results of RNA sequencing. In MAPK signaling pathway, the mRNA expression of Il 1b, Cd14, Hspa1a, Pdgfrb, Il 1a, Fgf7, Igf1r and Pak1 was not consistent with the RNA sequencing. Compared with normal gravity, simulated microgravity didn’t affect the mRNA expression of Il 1b, Cd14, Hspa1a and Pdgfrb (P>0. 05). The Il 1a and Fgf7 down regulated and Igf1r and Pak1 up regulated under simulated microgravity at the level of mRNA with a comparison to normal gravity, and the results of the rest of DEGs were consistent with the results of RNA sequencing. Conclusions: This study is the first high-throughput analysis on simulated microgravity of infection immunity. The comparative analysis demonstrates that cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and MAPK signaling pathway participants in the innate immune response.
Project description: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.
Project description:S. maltophilia was exposed to a simulated microgravity (SMG) environment in high-aspect ratio rotating-wall vessels bioreactors for 14 days, while the control group was performed in the same bioreactors under normal gravity (NG) environment. After that, combined phenotypic, genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were conducted to compare the influence of the SMG and NG on S. maltophilia.
Project description:To reveal the potential mechanisms involved in the dysfunction of antiviral immune responses under simulated microgravity conditions, we investigated the transcriptional changes related to the status of innate immune responses by RNA-seq with poly I:C or mock PBS treatment under Normal gravity or simulated microgravity conditions. Our results indicate that the retinoic acid inducible gene (RIG)-I-like receptor (RLR) and Toll-like receptor (TLR) signal pathways, which are both involved in the type-I interferon induction, are significantly inhibited by simulated microgravity effects.
Project description:Regenerative life support systems for space crews recycle organic and inorganic waste into water, food and oxygen using different organisms. For instance, the European Space Agency's MELiSSA uses Limnospira indica PCC8005 for air revitalisation and food production. Before use in space, the components' compatibility with reduced gravity must be tested. This innovative study introduces a novel ground analog designed specifically for microgravity experiments involving cyanobacteria, employing a cutting-edge random positioning machine (RPM). Limnospira indica PCC8005 was shown to grow slower under simulated microgravity and whole proteome analysis revealed a downregulation of e.g. ribosomal proteins, glutamine synthase and nitrate uptake transporters while an upregulation was found for gas vesicle proteins, carboxysome proteins and phycobiliproteins. All together our results suggested that L. indica experienced carbon limitation when cultivated in simulated microgravity conditions.
Project description:We investigated differentially regulated and stably expressed genes in human Jurkat T lymphocytic cells in 5min simulated microgravity and hypergravity and compared expression profiles to identify gravity-regulated and unaffected genes as well as adaptation processes.