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Related Experiment Videos

Function of the cytoskeleton in gravisensing during spaceflight.

M Hughes-Fulford1

  • 1Laboratory of Cell Growth, Northern California Institute for Research and Education, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94121, USA. millehf@aol.com

Advances in Space Research : the Official Journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
|March 9, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Spaceflight causes significant bone loss due to cellular changes. Microgravity alters osteoblast growth and cytoskeleton, impacting cell cycle regulation and potentially leading to G1 or G2/M phase arrest.

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Area of Science:

  • Space Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Astronauts experience significant bone loss in microgravity.
  • Previous studies show cellular and extracellular matrix changes in bone cells under microgravity.
  • Osteoblast cell shape changes occur even with brief microgravity exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate physiological changes in cellular bone growth and cytoskeleton in the absence of gravity.
  • To understand the impact of microgravity on osteoblast function and cell cycle.
  • To identify potential mechanisms for microgravity-induced bone loss.

Main Methods:

  • Culturing various bone cells (e.g., Ros 17/2.8, Mc3T3-E1, MG-63, hFOB) in microgravity conditions.
  • Analyzing changes in cell shape, actin cytoskeleton, and focal adhesions.
Keywords:
NASA Discipline Cell BiologyNASA Program Fundamental Space BiologyNon-NASA Center

Related Experiment Videos

  • Measuring osteoblast growth and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release.
  • Investigating fibronectin gene and protein expression.
  • Assessing cell cycle progression (G1 and G2/M phases).

    • Main Results:

    • Microgravity significantly reduced osteoblast growth by 60% and paradoxically increased PGE2 release twofold.
    • Observed collapse of the actin cytoskeleton and loss of focal adhesions in osteoblasts after 4 days in microgravity.
    • Flown cells under 1g conditions maintained normal cytoskeleton and fibronectin matrix, indicating microgravity's specific effect.
    • No differences in fibronectin message or protein synthesis were noted.
    • Evidence suggests impaired anabolic signal transduction and potential cell cycle arrest (G1 or G2/M) in microgravity.

    Conclusions:

    • Microgravity induces significant alterations in osteoblast cytoskeleton and growth.
    • Impaired signal transduction pathways, likely involving growth factor receptors and kinases, contribute to these changes.
    • Cytoskeletal disruptions in microgravity may inhibit cell cycle progression, contributing to bone loss.
    • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms of microgravity-induced bone loss.