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Effect of microgravity on gene expression in mouse brain.

Antonio Frigeri¹, Dumitru A Iacobas, Sanda Iacobas

¹Department of General and Environmental Physiology, Centre of Excellence in Comparative Genomics (CEGBA), University of Bari, via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy. a.frigeri@biologia.uniba.it

Experimental Brain Research

|August 16, 2008

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Spaceflight-induced fluid shifts alter brain gene expression, impacting cell transport and junction pathways. This microgravity simulation in mice suggests potential risks for blood coagulation and synaptic plasticity.

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Molecular Biology
Space Physiology

Background:

Spaceflight alters body fluid distribution, eliminating hydrostatic pressure gradients.
Understanding microgravity's effects on the brain is crucial for astronaut health.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze brain gene expression changes in response to simulated microgravity.
To identify specific molecular pathways affected by hindlimb unloading (HU).

Main Methods:

Large-scale mRNA expression analysis using cDNA microarrays in control and HU mice.
Bioinformatic analysis of gene profiles and functional pathways.

Main Results:

Hindlimb unloading (HU) induced significant transcriptomic alterations across all functional categories.

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Transport of small molecules and ions into cells (TIC) genes were highly upregulated.

Cell junction, adhesion, and extracellular matrix (JAE) genes were most downregulated.

Altered pathways included blood coagulation, immune response, learning, memory, ion channels, and cell junctions.

HU promoted a hyper-coagulative state, increasing venous thrombosis risk.

Synaptic plasticity and learning processes were impacted.

Conclusions:

Simulated microgravity causes widespread changes in brain gene expression.
Fluid shifts affect cellular transport, cell junctions, hemostasis, and neuronal plasticity.
Findings highlight potential neurological and vascular risks associated with spaceflight.