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Movements and interactions of leukocytes in microgravity
M Cogoli-Greuter1, M A Meloni, L Sciola
1Space Biology Group, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Technopark, Zürich, Switzerland.
Journal of Biotechnology
|June 27, 1996
Summary
Microgravity significantly reduces human lymphocyte activation. However, cell-cell contacts and locomotion still occur, indicating cells do not enter the cell cycle in space.
Area of Science:
- Cellular biology
- Space biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Mitogenic activation of human lymphocytes is crucial for immune response.
- Cell-cell contacts are essential for lymphocyte activation.
- Previous Spacelab experiments suggested reduced lymphocyte activation in microgravity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate human leukocyte behavior in microgravity.
- To understand the role of cell-cell contacts in lymphocyte activation under microgravity.
- To assess cell locomotion and cell cycle progression in microgravity.
Main Methods:
- Human leukocytes (lymphocytes and monocytes) were studied using the NIZEMI centrifuge microscope at 0 x g and 1 x g.
- Cells were incubated with the mitogen concanavalin A.
- Aggregate formation and cell locomotion were observed over 78 hours.
Main Results:
- Leukocyte aggregates formed in microgravity (0 x g) and ground control (1 x g) within 12 hours.
- Aggregates in microgravity were generally smaller after 46 and 78 hours compared to ground controls.
- Single cells in microgravity exhibited significantly higher locomotion velocity than ground controls.
- Cell locomotion remained high throughout the 78-hour incubation period.
Conclusions:
- Cell-cell contacts occur in microgravity, confirming earlier indirect evidence.
- Despite reduced activation, leukocytes maintain locomotion in microgravity.
- The sustained locomotion suggests cells do not progress through the cell cycle during extended incubation with concanavalin A in microgravity.