Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yulong Sun, Yuanyuan Kuang, Zhuo Zuo
Summary: During space exploration, microgravity causes significant physiological changes in astronauts, including bone loss, muscle atrophy, and cardiovascular deconditioning. Dysfunction of macrophages is identified as a crucial factor contributing to immune disorders in microgravity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cristina Manis, Antonio Murgia, Alessia Manca, Antonella Pantaleo, Giacomo Cao, Pierluigi Caboni
Summary: Our study using a hyphenated ion mobility mass spectrometric platform for lipid profiling of human erythrocytes expands the understanding of cellular processes and stress due to microgravity. We identified complex lipids associated with microgravity conditions, such as oxidized phosphocholines, phosphocholines bearing arachidonic in their moiety, as well as sphingomyelins and hexosyl ceramides. These findings provide insights into molecular alterations and erythrocyte lipidomics signatures associated with microgravity conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiranuwat Sapudom, Mei ElGindi, Marc Arnoux, Nizar Drou, Anna Garcia-Sabate, Jeremy C. M. Teo
Summary: Exposure to microgravity impairs fibroblast differentiation, as indicated by reduced expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and decreased translocation of Smad2/3 into the cell nucleus. Matrix remodeling and production are also decreased under s mu G conditions, along with transcriptomic changes in myofibroblasts. These findings suggest that fibroblast differentiation, as well as matrix production and remodeling, are impaired in 3D culture under simulated microgravity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Noriyuki Kuya, Ryo Nishijima, Yuka Kitomi, Taiji Kawakatsu, Yusaku Uga
Summary: Root system architecture affects the efficient uptake of water and nutrients in plants. In this study, the mechanism of root gravitropism in rice was investigated using a simulated microgravity condition. The transcriptome analysis revealed that HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN (HSP) genes, involved in auxin transport regulation, were up-regulated under simulated microgravity and down-regulated by gravistimulation. The study also identified a potential gene regulatory network involving HEAT STRESS TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR A2s (HSFA2s) and HSFB2s in modulating the gravitropic response through transcriptional control of HSPs in rice roots.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Marta Cortesao, Gudrun Holland, Tabea Schuetze, Michael Laue, Ralf Moeller, Vera Meyer
Summary: This research investigates the colony growth of Aspergillus niger under simulated microgravity conditions on Earth and in space, revealing that simulated microgravity can lead to thicker colonies and increased spore production. The findings have important implications for preventing and controlling fungal contamination on Earth and in space.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Lennart Leicht, Marian Walter, Marcel Mathissen, Christoph Hoog Antink, Daniel Teichmann, Steffen Leonhardt
Summary: This study evaluates unobtrusive methods for measuring physiological features for driver state estimation. The results show that these methods can reliably monitor heart rate and respiration rate under laboratory and real driving conditions, but there are motion artifacts in urban driving scenarios.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cristina Manis, Alessia Manca, Antonio Murgia, Giuseppe Uras, Pierluigi Caboni, Terenzio Congiu, Gavino Faa, Antonella Pantaleo, Giacomo Cao
Summary: This study investigated the changes in the structure and function of red blood cells under simulated microgravity. The findings revealed morphological changes, oxidative stress, and alterations in membrane composition. These discoveries are significant for understanding the effects of microgravity on human cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biology
Elena Andreeva, Diana Matveeva, Olga Zhidkova, Ivan Zhivodernikov, Oleg Kotov, Ludmila Buravkova
Summary: The lack of gravitational loading during space flights is a crucial risk factor that leads to bone mass loss, muscle atrophy, and other health issues. Extensive biomedical studies have investigated the acute responses and adaptation mechanisms to microgravity at different levels. Multicellular organisms on Earth have developed a complex mechanosensitive system that includes both cellular and extracellular components. Simulation models on Earth are important tools for studying the mechanisms of response to microgravity due to limitations in space experiments.
Article
Biology
Yajuan Gao, Hongbin Han, Jichen Du, Qingyuan He, Yanxing Jia, Junhao Yan, Hui Dai, Bin Cui, Jing Yang, Xunbin Wei, Liu Yang, Rui Wang, Ren Long, Qiushi Ren, Xing Yang, Jiabin Lu
Summary: This study found that under simulated microgravity conditions, the drainage of brain interstitial fluid in a tail-suspended hindlimb-unloading rat model was accelerated at the early stage and the diffusion rate increased, but slowed down and the tortuosity increased in the later stages. The changes were recoverable in the early stage but not fully restored in the later stages.
SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Anna H. Kaksonen, Xiao Deng, Christina Morris, Himel Nahreen Khaleque, Luis Zea, Yosephine Gumulya
Summary: The study found that simulated microgravity environments can help the biomining bacterium A. ferrooxidans extract metals from lunar and Martian regolith simulants. The biosynthesis of nanoparticles is also stimulated by microgravity.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yijuan Han, Dongyan Shao, Cuicui Han, Qingsheng Huang, Wen Zhao
Summary: The present study used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to investigate the impact of microgravity on human gut microbiota in vitro. The results showed that microgravity significantly altered the richness and diversity of the microbiota. Certain bacteria related to anti-inflammatory effects decreased in abundance, while others increased. Microgravity also affected the metabolism of the gut microbiota. These findings suggest that exposure to a microgravity environment can disrupt the gut microbiota.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jeffrey Goh, Seng Kheong Ong, Yan Sheng Tan, Teck-Peng Loh
Summary: A biocompatible C-N bond formation reaction for the amination of allenic ketone compounds to access diverse beta-keto enamines has been developed. This reaction exhibits atom economy, green chemistry principles, high regioselectivity, and compatibility with structurally important amines. A wide range of beta-keto enamines were obtained with good functional group tolerance using this method. Furthermore, a gram-scale synthesis of an antimicrobial agent was also achieved under environmentally friendly reaction conditions.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Kenichi Arai, Takahiro Kitsuka, Koichi Nakayama
Summary: The safety and efficacy of new drugs are typically tested in animals, but differences in drug responses and potential cardiac side effects have led to many drug development projects being discontinued. Alternative methods to animal testing are needed. Tissue engineering techniques can create three-dimensional cardiac constructs from hiPSC-CMs, providing a new approach for drug screening.
Article
Cell Biology
Chengfei Li, Yikai Pan, Yingjun Tan, Yongchun Wang, Xiqing Sun
Summary: This study investigated the induction mechanism of mitophagy in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under simulated microgravity conditions and demonstrated the relationship between mitophagy and vascular endothelial functional changes. It deepens the understanding of vascular functional changes under microgravity.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Ana Ramos-Nascimento, Lucia Grenga, Sven-Bastiaan Haange, Alexandra Himmelmann, Franca Sabine Arndt, Yen-Tran Ly, Guylaine Miotello, Olivier Pible, Nico Jehmlich, Beatrice Engelmann, Martin von Bergen, Edwin Mulder, Petra Frings-Meuthen, Christine Elisabeth Hellweg, Jens Jordan, Ulrike Rolle-Kampczyk, Jean Armengaud, Ralf Moeller
Summary: The AGBRESA study examined the effect of simulated weightlessness on the human body and explored the potential benefits of artificial gravity. The study found that simulated microgravity had a mild impact on the gut microbiome, but countermeasure protocols increased the abundance of beneficial short-chain fatty acids. Monitoring the gut microbiome and metabolite profiling can provide valuable information about health disturbances and the outcome of countermeasure protocols.
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Morten F. Hartwig, Lasse Slumstrup, Anne-Marie Kanstrup Fiehn, Ismail Gogenur
Summary: The aim of this study was to determine the risk of lymph node metastasis in pT2 colon cancer and identify the associated clinical and pathological risk factors. A total of 10 studies with 91,460 patients were included in the review. The overall risk of lymph node metastasis in pT2 colon cancer was found to be 19.3%.
COLORECTAL DISEASE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Linnea Hojer Wang, Markus Wehland, Petra M. M. Wise, Manfred Infanger, Daniela Grimm, Michael C. C. Kreissl
Summary: This manuscript investigates four tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), cabozantinib, vandetanib, pralsetinib, and selpercatinib, used for treating advanced and/or metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). The focus is on treatment-related hypertension, a well-known adverse effect (AE) of these TKIs. While TKI-induced hypertension is rarely a dose-limiting side effect, complications associated with hypertension can increase with longer patient survival without proper medication.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Justina Joksiene, Jayashree Sahana, Markus Wehland, Herbert Schulz, Jose Luis Cortes-Sanchez, Judit Prat-Duran, Daniela Grimm, Ulf Simonsen
Summary: A diabetogenic state induced by spaceflight causes stress and health problems in astronauts. Microgravity is a main stressor in space that leads to hyperglycaemia. The molecular pathways and synergistic effects of microgravity and hyperglycaemia are not fully understood.
Review
Cell Biology
Thomas J. Corydon, Herbert Schulz, Peter Richter, Sebastian M. Strauch, Maik Boehmer, Dario A. Ricciardi, Markus Wehland, Marcus Krueger, Gilmar S. Erzinger, Michael Lebert, Manfred Infanger, Petra M. Wise, Daniela Grimm
Summary: Microgravity has a significant impact on the health of space explorers, affecting cell proliferation, differentiation, and growth. With the planning of deep space exploration and the commercialization of space travel, researchers are focusing on gene regulation in cells and organisms exposed to real and simulated microgravity. Cancer and metastasis research in particular benefit from these findings.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Urjosee Sahana, Markus Wehland, Ulf Simonsen, Herbert Schulz, Daniela Grimm
Summary: Despite recent advances in HF therapy, CV mortality, morbidity, and HFH remain challenges. Vericiguat activates sGC to improve CV function and has shown efficacy in reducing CV death and HFH in HFrEF patients. However, it has no therapeutic effect on HFpEF. Common adverse events of vericiguat include hypotension, syncope, and anemia. Larger studies are needed to investigate the potential effect in HFpEF patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniela Grimm
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Francesca Cialdai, Austin M. Brown, Cory W. Baumann, Debora Angeloni, Sarah Baatout, Alexandra Benchoua, Juergen Bereiter-Hahn, Daniele Bottai, Judith-Irina Buchheim, Marco Calvaruso, Eugenie Carnero-Diaz, Sara Castiglioni, Duccio Cavalieri, Gabriele Ceccarelli, Alexander Chouker, Gianni Ciofani, Giuseppe Coppola, Gabriella Cusella, Andrea Degl'Innocenti, Jean-Francois Desaphy, Jean-Pol Frippiat, Michael Gelinsky, Giada Genchi, Maria Grano, Daniela Grimm, Alain Guignandon, Christiane Hahn, Jason Hatton, Raul Herranz, Christine E. Hellweg, Carlo Saverio Iorio, Thodoris Karapantsios, Jack van Loon, Matteo Lulli, Jeanette Maier, Jos Malda, Emina Mamaca, Lucia Morbidelli, Angelique van Ombergen, Andreas Osterman, Aleksandr Ovsianikov, Francesco Pampaloni, Elizabeth Pavezlorie, Veronica Pereda-Campos, Cyrille Przybyla, Christopher Puhl, Petra Rettberg, Chiara Risaliti, Angela Maria Rizzo, Kate Robson-Brown, Leonardo Rossi, Giorgio Russo, Alessandra Salvetti, Daniela Santucci, Matthias Sperl, Felice Strollo, Kevin Tabury, Sara Tavella, Christiane Thielemann, Ronnie Willaert, Nathaniel J. Szewczyk, Monica Monici
Summary: This white paper presents the indications and recommendations of the SciSpacE Science Community on filling the gaps of knowledge regarding the effects of gravity alterations on animal and human systems at a cellular and tissue level. Despite previous studies, a comprehensive integrated model of the changes occurring at different system and functional levels is still lacking, making it difficult to predict the long-term consequences of human adaptation to the space environment and implement effective medical support plans.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Silvana Miranda, Shannon Marchal, Lina Cumps, Jenne Dierckx, Marcus Kruger, Daniela Grimm, Sarah Baatout, Kevin Tabury, Bjorn Baselet
Summary: The lunar dust problem arose from NASA's Apollo missions in 1969, as exposure to lunar dust became unavoidable. Several astronauts suffered allergy-like symptoms due to lunar dust inhalation. Research into the toxic effects of lunar dust gained significant interest and expanded to include other organ systems. With plans for future moon missions and potentially Mars missions, dust mitigation strategies are crucial for sustainable space exploration.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Niklas S. Jensen, Markus Wehland, Petra M. Wise, Daniela Grimm
Summary: Hypertension is a major global health burden, with an increasing prevalence due to aging populations and sedentary lifestyles. While there is evidence of the role of vitamin D in regulating blood pressure, its direct antihypertensive effect remains unclear. However, supplementing vitamin D in combination with other antihypertensive agents may have promising results.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jayashree Sahana, Jose Luis Cortes-Sanchez, Viviann Sandt, Daniela Melnik, Thomas J. Corydon, Herbert Schulz, Zexi Cai, Katja Evert, Daniela Grimm, Markus Wehland
Summary: This study cultured breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 under simulated microgravity conditions and investigated the gene expression pattern and cellular signaling pathways involved. The results showed that the engineered three-dimensional multicellular spheroid model can be used to study breast cancer cell behavior and evaluate the efficacy of drugs against breast cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Jose Luis Cortes-Sanchez, Daniela Melnik, Viviann Sandt, Stefan Kahlert, Shannon Marchal, Ian R. D. Johnson, Marco Calvaruso, Christian Liemersdorf, Simon L. Wuest, Daniela Grimm, Marcus Krueger
Summary: In the preparation of space and microgravity experiments, the use of ground-based facilities for initial experiments and feasibility studies is common. One approach to simulate microgravity conditions on Earth is to use a random positioning machine (RPM) as a rotary bioreactor. Combined with a suitable low-mass model system, such as cell cultures, these devices have been shown to produce results similar to those obtained in actual space experiments under real microgravity conditions. The RPM serves as a simulator of microgravity by randomizing the impact of Earth's gravity vector especially for suspended cells, and it also simulates physiological shear forces on the adherent cell layer.