Spaceflight causes strain-dependent gene expression changes in the kidneys of mice

Area of Science:

• Space biology
• Renal physiology
• Genomics

Background:

• Spaceflight poses risks to astronaut health, including kidney stones, due to microgravity-induced bone demineralization and space radiation.
• Transcriptomic alterations in kidney tissues are observed during space missions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze kidney transcriptome patterns in two mouse strains (C57BL/6J and BALB/c) exposed to spaceflight on the International Space Station.
• To identify molecular pathways affected by spaceflight in the kidney and investigate strain-specific responses.

Main Methods:

• Comparative transcriptomic analysis of kidney tissues from C57BL/6J and BALB/c mice after spaceflight.
• Bioinformatic analysis to identify differentially expressed genes and associated metabolic pathways.

Main Results:

• Spaceflight induced significant transcriptome changes in mouse kidneys, linked to dysregulated lipid metabolism, extracellular matrix remodeling, and transforming growth factor-beta signaling.
• C57BL/6J mice exhibited a stronger transcriptomic response to spaceflight compared to BALB/c mice.
• Differences in hyaluronan metabolism between strains may protect against extracellular matrix remodeling via downregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Conclusions:

• Spaceflight significantly impacts kidney gene expression, affecting key metabolic and signaling pathways.
• Genetic variations, particularly in hyaluronan metabolism, influence kidney responses to spaceflight.
• Findings may inform the development of countermeasures for astronaut kidney disease and terrestrial kidney conditions.