Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dominique Moser, Katharina Biere, Christian Liemersdorf, Marina Tuschen, Ruth Hemmersbach, Alexander Chouker
Summary: Microgravity is a major stressor in space that affects immune cell function. Hypergravity has been shown to have beneficial effects on the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular system. This study investigated whether mild mechanical loading could prevent immune dysregulation caused by microgravity.
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Nandu Goswami, Olivier White, Andrew Blaber, Joyce Evans, Jack J. W. A. van Loon, Gilles Clement
Summary: This review provides an overview of the physiological effects of gravity level transitions in space exploration missions, emphasizing the need for further research to understand adaptation mechanisms and proposing artificial gravity as a countermeasure. The paper discusses the limited evidence on the effects of partial gravity and advocates for the exploration of artificial gravity in short and very long-arm centrifuges as potential countermeasures. The use of acute short-arm artificial gravity as well as chronic artificial gravity via the H-3 concept are also examined in the context of physiological adaptation during gravity level transitions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Enrico Ragni, Paola De Luca, Federico Valli, Luigi Zagra, Laura de Girolamo
Summary: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease with limited therapeutic options. In vitro models using chondrocytes are commonly used to evaluate new approaches, but the inflammation-based models may not accurately represent the real inflammatory conditions in patients. This study aimed to compare the transcriptional response of chondrocytes to different inflammatory conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Konstantinos Adamopoulos, Dimitrios Koutsouris, Apostolos Zaravinos, George I. Lambrou
Summary: Gravity, as the only constant environmental parameter during the evolutionary period of living matter on Earth, may have impacted the evolution of species. However, this topic has not been extensively investigated due to the need for long-term experiments in altered gravity conditions. Changes in gravity conditions could lead to significant abnormalities in cardiovascular, immune, vestibular and musculoskeletal systems.
Article
Mechanics
Felix Huber, Anna Garcia-Sabate, Dominique Legendre, Ricard Gonzalez-Cinca
Summary: The numerical investigation focuses on the translational motion of gas bubbles immersed in a liquid subjected to an acoustic wave at different gravity levels. The study discusses the dynamics of bubbles at different gravity levels and proposes an analytical criterion for the capture of bubbles in a levitation position. This criterion is based on the balance between the average acoustic force and the buoyancy force, allowing the calculation of the bubble levitation position for any scenario.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MULTIPHASE FLOW
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Natacha Callens, Philip Carvil, Merel Van Walleghem, Ricard Gonzalez-Cinca
Summary: The European Low Gravity Research Association (ELGRA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) co-organise an annual Summer School in Belgium since 2016, aiming to cultivate the ability of future scientists and engineers to conduct research in different gravity environments. Students participate in lectures, group work, and project brainstorming, guided by experienced professionals from the European space and research sector.
MICROGRAVITY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Jaap Swanenburg, Christopher A. Easthope, Anita Meinke, Anke Langenfeld, David A. Green, Petra Schweinhardt
Summary: The purpose of this research is to understand the potential physiological effects on the human body during prolonged stays in space and to minimize health risks for astronauts. The experiment found that gravity conditions significantly affect spinal motor control strategies, but it is not known how these strategies change under partial microgravity conditions on the Moon and Mars.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Alessandra Salvetti, Andrea Degl'Innocenti, Gaetana Gambino, Jack J. W. A. van Loon, Chiara Ippolito, Sandra Ghelardoni, Eric Ghigo, Luca Leoncino, Mirko Prato, Leonardo Rossi, Gianni Ciofani
Summary: Gravity alterations have complex and mostly detrimental effects on biological systems, particularly through oxidative stress affecting tissue homeostasis and development. Using a simple worm model, pathogenic mechanisms and molecular responses to gravity alterations can be studied effectively.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART A
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Heather R. McGregor, Kathleen E. Hupfeld, Ofer Pasternak, Scott J. Wood, Ajitkumar P. Mulavara, Jacob J. Bloomberg, T. Nick Hague, Rachael D. Seidler
Summary: A case report found that hypergravity exposure during launch and landing did not result in lasting enlargement of the brain's ventricles or intracranial fluid shifts. This suggests that hypergravity may not contribute to the same brain changes as those seen following spaceflight.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Christian Vahlensieck, Cora S. Thiel, Daniel Poeschl, Timothy Bradley, Sonja Krammer, Beatrice Lauber, Jennifer Polzer, Oliver Ullrich
Summary: The transcriptome of human immune cells responds rapidly to altered gravity in a highly dynamic way, with profound adaptation seen in transcriptional patterns within seconds to minutes. In this study, human Jurkat T cells were exposed to 9xg hypergravity for 3 and 15 minutes, and RNA-Seq analysis revealed differential exon usage after 3 minutes, which became less pronounced after 15 minutes. Additionally, a shift in the transcript pool from coding to non-coding transcripts was observed. These findings suggest that gravity-sensitive differentially expressed genes follow a dynamic transcriptional rebound effect, with initial up-regulatory changes resulting from increased elongation rates. The direction of differential expression depended on the structural location in the genome. Furthermore, a correlation analysis identified a link between initially upregulated genes and specific transcription factors, providing further insight into the transcriptional response to altered gravity.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Aerospace
Elke Sondermann, Thomas Voigtmann, Andreas Meyer
Summary: The influence of gravity on atomic mobility can be assessed using the gravitational Peclet number and gravitational length. The diffusion processes in liquids are dominated by thermal energy of atoms rather than Earth's gravitational force. Experimental data under different gravity conditions confirm that interdiffusion is only influenced by accelerations orders of magnitude larger than Earth's gravity.
MICROGRAVITY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Julyana M. S. Martins, Lindolfo D. dos Santos Neto, Sarah Sgavioli, Itallo C. S. Araujo, Angela A. S. Reis, Rodrigo S. Santos, Eugenio G. de Ara, Nadja S. M. Leandro, Marcos B. Cafe
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of glycosaminoglycan supplementation in broiler diets on gene expression, synthesis of proteins and minerals, and macroscopic characteristics of bones and cartilage. The results showed that the inclusion of chondroitin and/or glucosamine sulfates in the feed improved the expression of genes related to cartilage metabolism, as well as the structure and mineralization of bone and cartilage. These findings suggest that chondroitin and glucosamine sulfates can contribute to the development of a healthy locomotor system in broilers.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Clara Ruiz-Fernandez, Maria Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Vanessa Abella, Vera Francisco, Alfonso Cordero-Barreal, Djedjiga Ait Eldjoudi, Yousof Farrag, Jesus Pino, Javier Conde-Aranda, Miguel Angel Gonzalez-Gay, Antonio Mera, Ali Mobasheri, Lucia Garcia-Caballero, Marina Gandara-Cortes, Francisca Lago, Morena Scotece, Oreste Gualillo
Summary: WISP-2, a recently identified adipokine, plays a role in modulating the turnover of extracellular matrix in the cartilage, and its downregulation may detrimentally alter the inflammatory environment in osteoarthritic cartilage. The authors also show the participation of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway in these processes. Thus, targeting WISP-2 might represent a potential therapeutical approach for degenerative and/or inflammatory diseases of musculoskeletal system, such as osteoarthritis.
LABORATORY INVESTIGATION
(2022)
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.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alicia Villacampa, Malgorzata Ciska, Aranzazu Manzano, Joshua P. Vandenbrink, John Z. Kiss, Raul Herranz, F. Javier Medina
Summary: Research shows that microgravity and partial gravity trigger different growth responses in plants, and red-light photostimulation affects cell growth and proliferation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
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)
Review
Cell Biology
Silja Hansen, Michelle E. McClements, Thomas J. Corydon, Robert E. MacLaren
Summary: Inherited retinal diseases (IRD) are a group of clinically and genetically diverse diseases that cause blindness in the working-age population. Gene augmentation therapies have limitations in treating IRDs, but DNA editing, particularly prime editing, shows potential in correcting different types of mutations. This review provides an overview of recent advancements in prime editing technology and discusses its potential as a treatment option for IRDs.
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.