Preparation of Human Muscle Precursor Cells for the MyoGravity Project’s Study of Cell Cultures in Experiment Units for Space Flight Purposes

Abstract

Long-time exposure to the microgravity conditions experienced during space flights induces alterations in the homeostasis of organs and tissues, including skeletal muscles, which undergo atrophy with the loss of mass and strength due to decreased size and altered composition of myofibers. Microgravity conditions can also affect the functionality of satellite cells, i.e., the adult stem cells providing the muscle precursors that are responsible for the growth and maintenance of muscle mass in adult life, as well as for muscle regeneration following a damage. The MyoGravity project, funded by Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI), aimed to send human muscle precursor cells (huMPCs) on board the International Space Station (ISS) in order to study the effects of real microgravity on the differentiation capacity of this cell type. To this end, it was necessary to use a methodology to cultivate huMPCs inside dedicated space bioreactor devices (Experiment Units, EUs) specifically designed to cultivate cell cultures and perform scientific protocols in the space environment of the ISS. Here, we report the setting of several cell culture parameters to convert the EUs into suitable devices for biomedical experiments using huMPCs for space flight purposes.

MicroRNA Expression in Subretinal Fluid in Eyes Affected by Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

“…Retro-transcription and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were carried out according to the Applied Biosystems TaqMan miRNA assay kit protocols (Life Technologies, Monza, Italy), as reported in [27]. The retro-transcription involved 20 ng of a "small" RNA, according to the Applied Biosystems high-capacity cDNA reverse transcription kit (#4368814).…”

Report and Abstracts of the 20th Meeting of IIM, the Interuniversity Institute of Myology: Assisi, October 12-15, 2023

“…The convention was focused on muscle atrophy, a biological process associated with a multitude of conditions including disuse, denervation, malnutrition, aging (sarcopenia), prolonged use of steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, chronic inflammatory pathologies, the presence of certain cancer types (cachexia), and the absence of gravity as experienced during long-lasting space flights. Experts in the field such as Marco Sandri (University of Padua, Italy), 9 Paola Costelli Sandri (University of Turin, Italy), 10 Sestina Falcone (Sorbonne University Center of Research in Myology, Paris, France) 11 and Stefania Fulle (University G. d’Annunzio Chieti-Pescara, Italy) 12 discussed with a lay language about several conditions of muscle atrophy in the light of the latest knowledge in this topic. The presence of the former Italian astronaut, Paolo Nespoli as a special guest represented a great element of attraction; he fascinated the large audience with stories about his experiences in various missions in Space.…”