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Enhanced Ciliogenesis of Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells by Simulated Microgravity
Seung Hyun Bang1, Soyoung Hwang2, Seon Young Choi3
1Department of Health Sciences and Technology, GAIHST, Gachon University, 155, Gaetbeol-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21999, Republic of Korea.
Life (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 30, 2025
Summary
Simulated microgravity (SMG) reduces bronchial epithelial cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle and disrupting primary cilia formation. This suggests SMG may delay lung injury by decreasing cell proliferation.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Space Medicine
- Pulmonary Research
Background:
- Spaceflight alters human physiology due to microgravity.
- Impaired ciliogenesis disrupts cell cycle and epithelial proliferation, delaying wound healing.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate microgravity's effect on bronchial epithelial cell ciliogenesis.
- Determine microgravity's impact on cell proliferation and cell cycle.
- Analyze changes in cilia assembly and disassembly markers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 3D clinostat for simulated microgravity (SMG).
- Exposed BEAS-2B bronchial epithelial cells to SMG for 72 hours.
- Assessed cell proliferation (Ki-67, p27), ciliogenesis markers (ARL13B), and disassembly-related genes.
Main Results:
- SMG significantly reduced cell proliferation and increased cell cycle arrest (increased p27, decreased Ki-67).
- SMG upregulated ciliary assembly markers and downregulated disassembly markers.
- Observed increased cilia length and number of ciliated cells.
Conclusions:
- SMG disrupts ciliogenesis, leading to cell cycle arrest and reduced proliferation.
- This disruption suggests a potential mechanism for SMG to delay lung injury by decreasing cell proliferation.
