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Cosmic kidney disease: an integrated pan-omic, physiological and morphological study into spaceflight-induced renal
Keith Siew1, Kevin A Nestler2, Charlotte Nelson3
1London Tubular Centre, Department of Renal Medicine, University College London, London, UK. k.siew@ucl.ac.uk.
Nature Communications
|June 11, 2024
Summary
Deep space missions pose kidney health risks. Spaceflight alters kidney function, increasing nephrolithiasis risk and causing damage from radiation exposure.
Area of Science:
- Space medicine
- Renal physiology
- Astrobiology
Background:
- Deep space missions require understanding long-term health impacts.
- Kidney health consequences of microgravity and galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) are largely unexplored.
- Kidneys are vital organs susceptible to spaceflight stressors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the health consequences of spaceflight on the kidney.
- To analyze molecular, clinical, and morphometric changes in kidneys due to spaceflight.
- To assess risks associated with microgravity and GCR exposure.
Main Methods:
- Biomolecular analyses: epigenomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, epiproteomic, metabolomic, metagenomic.
- Clinical chemistry: electrolytes, endocrinology, biochemistry.
- Morphometry: histology, 3D imaging, miRNA-ISH, tissue weights.
- Utilized samples from spaceflight-exposed mice and humans, and simulated microgravity/GCR models.
Main Results:
- Spaceflight induces renal transporter dephosphorylation, potentially increasing nephrolithiasis risk.
- Observed nephron remodeling: distal convoluted tubule expansion and decreased tubule density.
- Simulated Mars roundtrip GCR exposure caused renal damage and dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- Spaceflight induces primary renal changes that may increase kidney stone risk.
- Significant alterations in kidney structure occur during spaceflight.
- Galactic cosmic radiation poses a substantial threat to kidney health during long-duration space missions.
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