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Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Space Medicine
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Spaceflight is known to disrupt circadian rhythms, negatively affecting astronaut health and performance.
  • Previous studies indicate spaceflight can induce retinal changes, including oxidative stress and neuronal loss in mice.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of spaceflight on intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) and melanopsin expression in mouse retinas.
  • To determine if spaceflight affects the survival and function of retinal cells responsible for non-visual light perception.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of retinal tissue from BALB/cJ (albino) and C57BL (pigmented) mice flown on shuttle missions STS-133 and STS-135, compared to ground controls.
  • Quantification of melanopsin (Opn4) gene expression using RT-qPCR and microarray.
  • Immunohistological examination to assess melanopsin localization and ipRGC survival.

Main Results:

  • Melanopsin (Opn4) gene expression decreased in albino BALB/cJ mice post-spaceflight, as detected by RT-qPCR.
  • Microarray analysis did not show a significant decrease in Opn4 expression in C57BL mice.
  • A significant reduction in melanopsin-positive retinal ganglion cells was observed in BALB/cJ mice 1 day after flight, with levels returning to normal by 7 days post-flight.

Conclusions:

  • Spaceflight-associated environmental factors may impair the non-visual functions of the retina.
  • Reduced melanopsin expression and ipRGC survival are potential mechanisms contributing to spaceflight-induced circadian disruption.
  • These retinal changes could have implications for astronaut health and performance during long-duration space missions.