Hypergravity As a Tool for Cell Stimulation: Implications in Biomedicine

Genchi, Giada Graziana; Rocca, Antonella; Marino, Attilio; Grillone, Agostina; Mattoli, Virgilio; Ciofani, Gianni

doi:10.3389/fspas.2016.00026

Cited by 18 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…Living systems on earth have evolved to function optimally at unit gravity (1 × g ). Exposure to altered gravity, as with hypergravity (>1 × g ) or microgravity (∼0 × g ), can subsequently lead to a multitude of physiological changes, with the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, and nervous systems all adversely impacted ( Demontis et al., 2017 ; Frett et al., 2016 ; Genchi et al., 2016 ). The consequent risk that altered gravity environments pose to whole-body health is most relevant to space exploration: astronauts are exposed to “hypergravitational” forces due to acceleration during take-off and landing ( Frett et al., 2016 ), as well as microgravity in-flight ( Thirsk et al., 2009 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Transcriptomics Identifies Neuronal and Metabolic Adaptations to Hypergravity and Microgravity in Caenorhabditis elegans

et al. 2020

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Deep space exploration is firmly within reach, but health decline during extended spaceflight remains a key challenge. In this study, we performed comparative transcriptomic analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans responses to varying degrees of hypergravity and to two spaceflight experiments (ICE-FIRST and CERISE). We found that progressive hypergravitational load concomitantly increases the extent of differential gene regulation and that subtle changes in 1,000 genes are reproducibly observed during spaceflight-induced microgravity. Consequently, we deduce those genes that are concordantly regulated by altered gravity per se or that display inverted expression profiles during hypergravity versus microgravity. Through doing so, we identify several candidate targets with terrestrial roles in neuronal function and/or cellular metabolism, which are linked to regulation by daf-16/FOXO signaling. These data offer a strong foundation from which to expedite mechanistic understanding of spaceflight-induced maladaptation in higher organisms and, ultimately, promote future targeted therapeutic development.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Transcriptomics Identifies Neuronal and Metabolic Adaptations to Hypergravity and Microgravity in Caenorhabditis elegans

et al. 2020

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“…Microgravity, on the other hand, is known to accelerate some aspects of cellular senescence, namely via oxidative stress [6], and is considered a model for the study of mechanisms involved in ageing biology [7,8]. Overall, loading forces and gravity have essential effects, yet to be fully understood, on the development and homeostasis of several tissues in the human body [9,10]. Concerning angiogenesis, alterations in gravitational force are known to affect EC integrity and behaviour [8,11,12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of hypergravity on the angiogenic potential of endothelial cells

Costa‐Almeida

Carvalho

Ferreira

et al. 2016

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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Angiogenesis, the formation of blood vessels from pre-existing ones, is a key event in pathology, including cancer progression, but also in homeostasis and regeneration. As the phenotype of endothelial cells (ECs) is continuously regulated by local biomechanical forces, studying endothelial behaviour in altered gravity might contribute to new insights towards angiogenesis modulation. This study aimed at characterizing EC behaviour after hypergravity exposure (more than 1g), with special focus on cytoskeleton architecture and capillary-like structure formation. Herein, human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs) were cultured under two-dimensional and three-dimensional conditions at 3g and 10g for 4 and 16 h inside the large diameter centrifuge at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) of the European Space Agency. Although no significant tendency regarding cytoskeleton organization was observed for cells exposed to high g's, a slight loss of the perinuclear localization of b-tubulin was observed for cells exposed to 3g with less pronounced peripheral bodies of actin when compared with 1g control cells. Additionally, hypergravity exposure decreased the assembly of HUVECs into capillary-like structures, with a 10g level significantly reducing their organization capacity. In conclusion, short-term hypergravity seems to affect EC phenotype and their angiogenic potential in a time and g-level-dependent manner.

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“…Changes in gravitational values affect cell survival, development, and spatial organization. In addition, the indirect effects of altered gravity, such as those associated with hydrostatic pressure and fluid shear, strongly affect both in vitro and in vivo systems (Genchi et al, 2016). Hence, to understand these phenomena, further research is necessary.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Cytoprotective Role of Antioxidants in Mammalian Cells Under Rapidly Varying UV Conditions During Stratospheric Balloon Campaign

et al. 2019

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The current age of dynamic development of the space industry brings the mankind closer to routine manned space flights and space tourism. This progress leads to a demand for intensive astrobiological research aimed at improving strategies of the pharmacological protection of the human cells against extreme conditions. Although routine research in space remains out of our reach, it is worth noticing that the unique severe environment of the Earth’s stratosphere has been found to mimic subcosmic conditions, giving rise to the opportunity to use the stratospheric surface as a research model for the astrobiological studies. Our study included launching into the stratosphere a balloon containing mammalian normal and cancer cells treated with various compounds to examine whether these substances are capable of protecting the cells against stress caused by rapidly varying temperature, pressure, and radiation, especially UV. Owing to oxidative stress caused by irradiation and temperature shock, we used natural compounds which display antioxidant properties, namely, catechin isolated from green tea, honokiol derived from magnolia, curcumin from turmeric, and cinnamon extract. “After-flight” laboratory tests have shown the most active antioxidants as potential agents which can minimize harmful impact of extreme conditions on human cells.

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Hypergravity As a Tool for Cell Stimulation: Implications in Biomedicine

Cited by 18 publications

References 71 publications

Comparative Transcriptomics Identifies Neuronal and Metabolic Adaptations to Hypergravity and Microgravity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Comparative Transcriptomics Identifies Neuronal and Metabolic Adaptations to Hypergravity and Microgravity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Effects of hypergravity on the angiogenic potential of endothelial cells

The Cytoprotective Role of Antioxidants in Mammalian Cells Under Rapidly Varying UV Conditions During Stratospheric Balloon Campaign

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