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Artificial Gravity Attenuates the Transcriptomic Response to Spaceflight in the Optic Nerve and Retina
Isaac Kremsky1,2, Reyna Pergerson1, Stephen Justinen1
1Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BMES), Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|November 27, 2024
Summary
Spaceflight's microgravity harms astronauts' eyes. Artificial gravity, created by centrifugation, may protect ocular health by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, showing a dose-dependent protective effect.
Area of Science:
- Space biology
- Ocular health
- Spaceflight physiology
Background:
- Spaceflight poses risks to astronaut ocular health due to microgravity.
- Eye pathology is a significant concern for long-duration space missions.
- Artificial gravity is explored as a countermeasure for spaceflight-induced physiological changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of microgravity and artificial gravity on the ocular tissues of mice.
- To determine if artificial gravity can mitigate microgravity-induced transcriptomic changes in the optic nerve and retina.
- To assess the dose-dependent protective effects of artificial gravity.
Main Methods:
- Mice were exposed to microgravity (0 G) or varying levels of artificial gravity (0.33 G, 0.67 G, 1 G) on the International Space Station (ISS).
- RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on optic nerve and retinal tissues post-flight.
- Transcriptomic changes were analyzed to identify molecular responses to different gravity conditions.
Main Results:
- Microgravity induced transcriptomic alterations in the optic nerve and retina, indicating increased oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and lipid metabolic stress.
- Artificial gravity attenuated these microgravity-induced transcriptomic changes.
- The protective effect of artificial gravity was observed in a dose-dependent manner.
Conclusions:
- Microgravity significantly impacts ocular tissues at the molecular level, leading to stress and potential damage.
- Artificial gravity shows promise as an effective countermeasure against spaceflight-induced ocular pathologies.
- Further research into artificial gravity applications could safeguard astronaut vision during space exploration.
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