Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 15, 2026
09:11
Assessment of Global Ocular Structure Following Spaceflight Using a Micro-Computed Tomography Micro-CT Imaging Method
Published on: October 27, 2020
6.1K
Ocular Risks of Spaceflight and a Path to Prevention: Targeting Mitochondria-ER Stress With Low-Intensity Ultrasound
Jee Hoon Lee1, Hankyung Kim1,2,3, Dae Yu Kim1,2,3
1Inha Research Institute for Aerospace Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
Summary
Spaceflight causes corneal degeneration by disrupting endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial function. Low-intensity ultrasound (LIUS) treatment effectively restored corneal health, offering a potential spaceflight countermeasure.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Space Medicine
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Corneal health is critical for astronaut visual acuity and mission safety.
- Spaceflight poses significant stress to ocular tissues, including the cornea.
- Existing countermeasures for spaceflight-induced ocular stress are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms of corneal degeneration under simulated microgravity (SMG).
- To identify key cellular pathways involved in SMG-induced corneal damage.
- To evaluate low-intensity ultrasound (LIUS) as a potential therapeutic intervention.
Main Methods:
- Simulated microgravity (SMG) exposure on corneal models.
- Multi-omics profiling (genomics, proteomics, etc.).
- Cellular assays to assess organelle function and stress pathways.
- Evaluation of LIUS treatment efficacy.
Main Results:
- SMG induced corneal epithelial thinning, reduced nerve density, and impaired wound healing.
- Aberrant endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-mitochondrial crosstalk, marked by increased mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs), was identified.
- LIUS treatment successfully restored corneal epithelial integrity and normalized cellular homeostasis.
Conclusions:
- Endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial dysfunction are key mediators of corneal degeneration in microgravity.
- Aberrant ER-mitochondrial crosstalk is a novel molecular axis in spaceflight-induced ocular stress.
- LIUS presents a promising non-invasive countermeasure for preserving corneal health during spaceflight.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Accessory Structures of the Eye
3.3K
Optical perception, or vision, is an extraordinary sense dependent on converting light signals received via the ocular organs. These organs, known as eyes, are securely positioned within the bony cavities of the skull, called orbits. The orbits serve a dual purpose: a protective shield for the ocular globes and a stable attachment point for the soft ocular tissues. The eye's external protective mechanisms include the eyelids, which are edged with lashes that act as a barrier against foreign...
3.3K
01:26Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
224
Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating, which offer short-term relief but ultimately increase long-term health risks. These behaviors create a cycle that temporarily lowers stress levels but can result in severe long-term health consequences. Breaking these habits is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Three primary changes that support better health include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake,...
224
01:16Stress on an Oblique Plane
1.0K
Understanding stress on an oblique plane under axial loading is pivotal in material mechanics. This analysis offers insight into a material's durability and strength, which is crucial for civil engineering and structural design. Axial loading refers to force application along the material's central axis, causing compression or elongation and leading to normal stress. Normal stress occurs when a force acts perpendicularly to the material's area, resulting in compressive or tensile...
1.0K
01:17Ultrasonography
7.3K
Ultrasonography is an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize the body's internal structures. It is a non-invasive and safe procedure that does not involve the use of ionizing radiation, making it widely used in various medical fields. Ultrasonography is used to study heart function, blood flow in the neck or extremities, certain conditions such as gallbladder disease, and fetal growth and development.
During an ultrasonography procedure, a handheld device called...
During an ultrasonography procedure, a handheld device called...
7.3K
01:24Stress Concentrations
628
Stress concentration is when stress intensifies near discontinuities such as holes or abrupt cross-sectional changes in a structural member. This localized stress can often surpass the average stress within the member. The stress distribution in flat bars, either with a circular hole or varying widths connected by fillets, can be determined experimentally using a photoelastic method. The results are based on ratios of geometric parameters like the ratio of the hole's radius to the smaller...
628
01:13Stress Concentrations
598
The concept of stress concentration is crucial for understanding how materials respond under bending stresses, particularly when there are irregularities or discontinuities in the material's geometry. Normally, stress in a symmetric member subjected to pure bending is assumed to be uniformly distributed across the entire cross-section. However, this assumption does not hold when there are variations in the cross-sectional geometry or the presence of notches and holes.
The stress...
The stress...
598