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Updated: Jan 16, 2026
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Propagation of Dental and Respiratory Cells and Organs in Microgravity
Published on: May 25, 2021
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Lunar life drives jawbone formation
Kotaro Sato1,2, Naoka Kouyama1, Shinya Akatsuka2
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
Journal of Dental Sciences
|October 3, 2025
Summary
Lunar gravity (1/6G) significantly enhances jawbone formation and Hedgehog signaling in mice. This suggests bone formation, not resorption, is promoted by partial gravity, impacting oral health during space missions.
Area of Science:
- Space biology
- Skeletal physiology
- Oral health
Background:
- Investigating the physiological effects of altered gravity is crucial for long-duration spaceflight.
- The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) conducted experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) to study these effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the impact of lunar gravity (1/6G) on the mandibular bone.
- To elucidate the relationship between lunar gravity and oral cavity health.
Main Methods:
- Mice were housed in the ISS Kibo module (1/6G) and on Earth (1G).
- Mandibular bone samples were analyzed using microarray, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), micro-computed tomography, immunohistochemistry, and histological staining.
Main Results:
- Lunar gravity (1/6G) significantly increased dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) expression.
- Enhanced Hedgehog signaling pathways were observed in the 1/6G group.
- Increased cancellous bone weight and density were noted in the 1/6G group, with bone formation promoted over resorption.
Conclusions:
- Lunar gravity stimulates bone formation in the jawbone, linked to mastication.
- Understanding these skeletal adaptations is vital for maintaining oral health during extended lunar missions.
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