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Results for “Oxidative Stress Response Mechanisms”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Damage Modeling of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Accounting for Redox Effects

This work applies a multiscale mechanistic damage model developed for brittle ceramics and implemented in commercial finite element (FE) packages via user subroutines to study progressive damage in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) subjected to thermomechanical loading under normal operating and shutdown conditions including redox effects. The damage model captures the micromechanics of stiffness reduction due to material porosity change and microcracking and integrates the as-obtained stiffness reduction law into a continuum damage mechanics (CDM) formulation for the evolution of microcracks up to fracture. The volumetric “swelling” that occurs during redox is treated in constitutive modeling similarly to thermal expansion, but swelling strains are irreversible. Furthermore, this damage model was first validated through predictions of strength and stress-strain response for the SOFC electrode materials. Next, it has been applied to predict the potential for degradation in a generic planar SOFC stack with large active area cells. Multicell stack models were simulated in both co-flow and counter-flow configurations. In addition, a constant temperature redox cycle was also simulated to capture overall cell electrode damage due to volumetric swelling of the nickel (Ni)-based anode in the anode-supported cells.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS1997

Intracellular pH changes in human aortic smooth muscle cells in response to fluid shear stress

The smooth muscle cell (SMC) layers of human arteries may be exposed to blood flow after endothelium denudation, for example, following balloon angioplasty treatment. These SMCs are also constantly subjected to pressure driven transmural fluid flow. Flow-induced shear stress can alter SMC growth and metabolism. Signal transduction mechanisms involved in these flow effects on SMCs are still poorly understood. In this work, the hypothesis that shear stress alters the intracellular pH (pHi) of SMC is examined. When exposed to venous and arterial levels of shear stress, human aortic smooth muscle cells (hASMC) undergo alkalinization. The alkalinization plateau persisted even after 20 min of cell exposure to flow. Addition of amiloride (10 micromoles) or its 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl) analog (EIPA, 10 micromoles), both Na+/H+ exchanger inhibitors, attenuated intracellular alkalinization, suggesting the involvement of the Na+/H+ exchanger in this response. The same concentrations of these inhibitors did not show an effect on pHi of hASMCs in static culture. 4-Acetamido-4'-isothio-cyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (SITS, 1 mM), a Cl-/HCO3- exchange inhibitor, affected the pHi of hASMCs both in static and flow conditions. Our results suggest that flow may perturb the Na+/H+ exchanger leading to an alkalinization of hASMCs, a different response from the flow-induced acidification seen with endothelial cells at the same levels of shear stress. Understanding the flow-induced signal transduction pathways in the vascular cells is of great importance in the tissue engineering of vascular grafts. In the case of SMCs, the involvement of pHi changes in nitric oxide production and proliferation regulation highlights further the significance of such studies.

NASA Discipline Cell Biology↗
NASA NTRS2001

Mechanisms of cell signaling by nitric oxide and peroxynitrite: from mitochondria to MAP kinases

Many of the biological and pathological effects of nitric oxide (NO) are mediated through cell signaling pathways that are initiated by NO reacting with metalloproteins. More recently, it has been recognized that the reaction of NO with free radicals such as superoxide and the lipid peroxyl radical also has the potential to modulate redox signaling. Although it is clear that NO can exert both cytotoxic and cytoprotective actions, the focus of this overview are those reactions that could lead to protection of the cell against oxidative stress in the vasculature. This will include the induction of antioxidant defenses such as glutathione, activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases in response to blood flow, and modulation of mitochondrial function and its impact on apoptosis. Models are presented that show the increased synthesis of glutathione in response to shear stress and inhibition of cytochrome c release from mitochondria. It appears that in the vasculature NO-dependent signaling pathways are of three types: (i) those involving NO itself, leading to modulation of mitochondrial respiration and soluble guanylate cyclase; (ii) those that involve S-nitrosation, including inhibition of caspases; and (iii) autocrine signaling that involves the intracellular formation of peroxynitrite and the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases. Taken together, NO plays a major role in the modulation of redox cell signaling through a number of distinct pathways in a cellular setting.

Non-NASA Center↗
NASA NTRS2017

Responses of Cardiac Tissue to Simulated Weightlessness

Our current study aims to determine the molecular mechanisms that underlie these cardiac changes in response to spaceflight. The central hypothesis of our study is that long duration simulated weightlessness and subsequent recovery causes select and persistent changes in gene expression and oxidative defense-related pathways. In this study, we will first conduct general analyses of three-month old male and female animals, focusing on two key long-duration time points, (i.e. after 90 days of simulated weightlessness (HU) and after 90 days recovery from 90 days of HU. Both rat-specific gene arrays and qPCR will be performed focusing on genes already implicated in oxidative stress responses and cardiac disease. Gene expression analyses will be complemented by biochemical tests of frozen tissue lysates for select markers of oxidative damage.

heart↗
DOE OSTI2025

Anomalous softening of 3D printed elastomeric foam irradiated under compressive strain

Elastomeric foam is an essential component in many industrial and technological settings, primarily as thermal insulators and as positional/mechanical support cushions. In particular, silicone foam is utilized in harsh environments due to exceptional thermal and chemical stability. Under service conditions within certain applications such material gets exposed to a high dosage of gamma radiation, which can permanently alter the material’s structural and mechanical response properties. Most studies on gamma-exposure under inert or oxidative atmosphere indicate hardening of silicone foam, which is attributed to radiation-induced enhancement in chemical cross-linking. Here we report two contrasting effects depending on whether (non-oxidative) radiation exposure is carried out with the foam under zero or finite compressive strain. While in the former case we observe radiation-hardening consistent with previous studies, in the latter case (50% porous foam under 30% uniaxial compression) we see a monotonic decrease in Young’s modulus with increasing dosage, although solvent swelling experiments on the constituent rubber indicate a net increase in cross-link density independent of the state of strain. We quantitatively model all dose-dependent data using the Ogden Hyperfoam strain-energy function within the framework of Tobolsky two-network scheme and attribute the above anomaly to a combined effect of radiation-induced thickness change (compression set) and inherent nonlinearity in the foam’s stress-strain response.

Coarse-grained models↗
NASA NTRS1984

Plastic flow of plasma sprayed ceramics

The plastic flow of plasma-sprayed ZrO2-8Y2O3 ceramic has been measured at temperatures up to 1250 C and compared to the plastic flow of pressed and sintered ZrO2-8Y2O3. Plasma spraying of binary oxide ceramics is found to result in a metastable state which is inelastic at high temperature but can also be stabilized or devitrified through heat treating so as to decrease plastic properties. The mechanical properties of the as-plasma sprayed and devitrified ceramic sheet material was measured. An improved algorithm that incorporates the inherently nonlinear thermomechanical field equations was used to determine the influence of inelastic material behavior on the thermomechanical response of ceramic coated seal components. Significant creep was found during the thermal shock and steady heating periods with insufficient time during thermal quench to reverse the process, thereby inducing significant residual stresses into the components.

Padovan, J.↗
NASA NTRS2000

A Quantitative Study of Oxygen as a Metabolic Regulator

An acute reduction in oxygen delivery to a tissue is associated with metabolic changes aimed at maintaining ATP homeostasis. However, given the complexity of the human bio-energetic system, it is difficult to determine quantitatively how cellular metabolic processes interact to maintain ATP homeostasis during stress (e.g., hypoxia, ischemia, and exercise). In particular, we are interested in determining mechanisms relating cellular oxygen concentration to observed metabolic responses at the cellular, tissue, organ, and whole body levels and in quantifying how changes in tissue oxygen availability affect the pathways of ATP synthesis and the metabolites that control these pathways. In this study; we extend a previously developed mathematical model of human bioenergetics, to provide a physicochemical framework that permits quantitative understanding of oxygen as a metabolic regulator. Specifically, the enhancement - sensitivity analysis - permits studying the effects of variations in tissue oxygenation and parameters controlling cellular respiration on glycolysis, lactate production, and pyruvate oxidation. The analysis can distinguish between parameters that must be determined accurately and those that require less precision, based on their effects on model predictions. This capability may prove to be important in optimizing experimental design, thus reducing use of animals.

Radhakrishnan, Krishnan↗
NASA NTRS2003

A quantitative study of oxygen as a metabolic regulator

An acute reduction in oxygen delivery to a tissue is associated with metabolic changes aimed at maintaining ATP homeostasis. However, given the complexity of the human bioenergetic system, it is difficult to determine quantitatively how cellular metabolic processes interact to maintain ATP homeostasis during stress (e.g., hypoxia, ischemia, and exercise). In particular, we are interested in determining mechanisms relating cellular oxygen concentration to observed metabolic responses at the cellular, tissue, organ, and whole body levels and in quantifying how changes in tissue oxygen availability affect the pathways of ATP synthesis and the metabolites that control these pathways. In this study, we extend a previously developed mathematical model of human bioenergetics, to provide a physicochemical framework that permits quantitative understanding of oxygen as a metabolic regulator. Specifically, the enhancement--sensitivity analysis--permits studying the effects of variations in tissue oxygenation and parameters controlling cellular respiration on glycolysis, lactate production, and pyruvate oxidation. The analysis can distinguish between parameters that must be determined accurately and those that require less precision, based on their effects on model predictions. This capability may prove to be important in optimizing experimental design, thus reducing use of animals.

Non-programmatic↗
DOE OSTI2023

Characterization of promoter elements of isoprene‐responsive genes and the ability of isoprene to bind START domain transcription factors

Abstract Isoprene has recently been proposed to be a signaling molecule that can enhance tolerance of both biotic and abiotic stress. Not all plants make isoprene, but all plants tested to date respond to isoprene. We hypothesized that isoprene interacts with existing signaling pathways rather than requiring novel mechanisms for its effect on plants. We analyzed the cis‐regulatory elements (CREs) in promoters of isoprene‐responsive genes and the corresponding transcription factors binding these promoter elements to obtain clues about the transcription factors and other proteins involved in isoprene signaling. Promoter regions of isoprene‐responsive genes were characterized using the Arabidopsis cis‐regulatory element database. CREs bind ARR1, Dof, DPBF, bHLH112, GATA factors, GT‐1, MYB, and WRKY transcription factors, and light‐responsive elements were overrepresented in promoters of isoprene‐responsive genes; CBF‐, HSF‐, WUS‐binding motifs were underrepresented. Transcription factors corresponding to CREs overrepresented in promoters of isoprene‐responsive genes were mainly those important for stress responses: drought‐, salt/osmotic‐, oxidative‐, herbivory/wounding and pathogen‐stress. More than half of the isoprene‐responsive genes contained at least one binding site for TFs of the class IV (homeodomain leucine zipper) HD‐ZIP family, such as GL2, ATML1, PDF2, HDG11, ATHB17. While the HD‐zipper‐loop‐zipper (ZLZ) domain binds to the L1 box of the promoter region, a special domain called the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein‐related lipid transfer, or START domain, can bind ligands such as fatty acids (e.g., linolenic and linoleic acid). We tested whether isoprene might bind in such a START domain. Molecular simulations and modeling to test interactions between isoprene and a class IV HD‐ZIP family START‐domain‐containing protein were carried out. Without membrane penetration by the HDG11 START domain, isoprene within the lipid bilayer was inaccessible to this domain, preventing protein interactions with membrane bound isoprene. The cross‐talk between isoprene‐mediated signaling and other growth regulator and stress signaling pathways, in terms of common CREs and transcription factors could enhance the stability of the isoprene emission trait when it evolves in a plant but so far it has not been possible to say what how isoprene is sensed to initiate signaling responses.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1997

Gene regulation by mechanical forces

Endothelial cells are subjected to various mechanical forces in vivo from the flow of blood across the luminal surface of the blood vessel. The purpose of this review was to examine the data available on how these mechanical forces, in particular cyclic strain, affect the expression and regulation of endothelial cell function. Studies from various investigators using models of cyclic strain in vitro have shown that various vasoactive mediators such as nitric oxide and prostacyclin are induced by the effect of mechanical deformation, and that the expression of these mediators may be regulated at the transcription level by mechanical forces. There also seems to be emerging evidence that endothelial cells may also act as mechanotransducers, whereby the transmission of external forces induces various cytoskeletal changes and second messenger cascades. Furthermore, it seems these forces may act on specific response elements of promoter genes.

Review, Tutorial↗
NASA NTRS1977

Effects of silicon on the oxidation, hot-corrosion, and mechanical behavior of two cast nickel-base superalloys

Cast specimens of nickel-base superalloys 713C and Mar-M200 with nominal additions of 0, 0.5, and 1 wt% Si were evaluated for oxidation and corrosion resistance, tensile and stress-rupture properties, microstructure, and phase relations. Results are compared with those of an earlier study of the effects of Si in B-1900. Si had similar effects on all three superalloys. It improves oxidation resistance but the improvement in 713C and Mar-M200 was considerably less than in B-1900. Hot-corrosion resistance is also improved somewhat. Si is, however, detrimental to mechanical properties, in particular, rupture strength and tensile ductility. Si has two obvious microstructural effects. It increases the amount of gamma-prime precipitated in eutectic nodules and promotes a Mo(Ni,Si)2 Laves phase in the alloys containing Mo. These microstructural effects do not appear responsible for the degradation of mechanical properties, however.

Miner, R. V., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2017

The Effects of CDKN1a/p21 on Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Function During Long Duration Spaceflight

Broad tissue degeneration and the failure of normal tissue regenerative processes in microgravity because of mechanical unloading are increasing concerns for sustaining life in space as the duration of future flight missions increases. Work in our laboratory has identified normal adult stem cell-based tissue regenerative processes, such as the formation of new bone, cartilage, and immune cells, as being particularly sensitive to the stresses of mechanical unloading in microgravity. Our studies have also identified the inhibition of differentiation of marrow mesenchymal stem cells and activation of CDKN1ap21-mediated cell cycle arrest in proliferative osteoprecursor cells on the bone surface as potential mechanisms for spaceflight-induced skeletal changes. This finding, in combination with the role of CDKN1ap21 as a suppressor of mammalian tissue regeneration, suggests that this gene could be responsible for suppressing stem cell-based tissue regeneration in response to disuse. In this work, we hypothesized that CDKN1ap21 regulates regenerative bone formation in response to alterations in mechanical load and tested this hypothesis by studying the skeletal phenotype and stem cell regenerative ability of juvenile (4-11 weeks old) and adult (18 weeks-12 months old) p21 (--) knockout (KO) mice. Additionally, we analyzed bone micro-architectural properties, bone formation rates and differentiation capacity of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) from male and female KO mice exposed to hindlimb unloading (HU) for 15-30 days. We found that juvenile KO mice exhibited increased femoral trabecular and cortical bone formation, whilst three-point bending of the tibias from KO mice showed decreased bone stiffness. Conversely, adult KO mice exhibited no significant differences in micro-architectural properties compared to WT (wild-type) but woven bone structure was indicative of rapid bone remodeling. Furthermore, cortical bone properties showed similar characteristics to aged bone, including increased cross-sectional area and perimeter, whilst three-point bending showed increased stiffness and toughness. Interestingly, in-vitro, KO mice exhibited increased differentiation and mineralized nodule formation in osteoblastogenesis assays compared to WT. Preliminary results from CDKN1ap21 KO mice subjected to HU suggest altered sensitivity to mechanical unloading resulting in decreased cortical thickness compared to WT mice. However, KO mice subjected to short and long-duration HU show increased in-vitro differentiation potential of BMSCs to from form mature, mineral-forming osteoblasts, indicating maintenance of regenerative potential. Analysis of bone formation rates, cell proliferation rates and key genes of interest are currently underway. These results indicate a novel role for CDKN1ap21 in load-dependent osteoprogenitor proliferation and differentiation and that deletion of CDKN1ap21 results in an age-dependent release of osteoblast proliferation inhibition and increased bone formation and turnover.

Stem Cells↗
NASA NTRS2026

A Dispersion-Strengthened Low-Density Niobium Alloy and Its Elevated Temperature Mechanical Performance

In response to the elevated-temperature and weight-reduction demands of modern aerospace applications, a novel oxide-dispersion-strengthened low-density niobium alloy (LDNb-ODS) was fabricated using laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF). To overcome powder procurement barriers, L-PBF feedstock was produced by blending commercial Nb521, Ti64, and Cr powder with Y2O3 nanoparticles via resonant acoustic mixing. Following L-PBF and a 1400°C vacuum heat treatment, the alloy achieved a density of 6.73 g/cc and a fine mean grain size of 4.62 µm stabilized by uniform ~30 nm yttria dispersoids. Microstructural analysis revealed a chemically inhomogeneous build with lack-of-fusion defects and a titanium (Ti) shift from a nominal 31.5 wt% in the starting powder blend to 24.8 wt% in the printed part due to preferential Ti loss during printing. Elevated-temperature tensile testing demonstrated that LDNb-ODS maintained a superior specific yield strength of 60-85 MPa/(g/cc) up to 800°C, outperforming nickel-based alloys Ni625, Ni230, and GRX-810. Between 870°C and 950°C, its specific strength surpassed both Ni718 and Ni625. In rapid stress-rupture testing at 1093°C and 20.7 MPa, uncoated LDNb-ODS survived 21.4 hours (a tenfold increase over legacy C-103) while an R512E silicide coating extended rupture life to 84.8 hours, confirming that oxidation accelerates low-stress failure. These findings demonstrate that additive manufacturing of LDNb-ODS provides a viable, lightweight alternative to nickel-based superalloys for high-temperature (>850°C) aerospace components.

Low Density Niobium Alloy↗
NASA NTRS2009

Study of the Genes and Mechanism Involved in the Radioadaptive Response

The radioadaptive response is a phenomenon where exposure to a prior low dose of radiation reduces the level of damage induced by a subsequent high radiation dose. The molecular mechanism behind this is still not well understood. Learning more about the radioadaptive response is critical for long duration spaceflight since astronauts are exposed to low levels of cosmic radiation. The micronucleus assay was used to measure the level of damage caused by radiation. Although cells which were not washed with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) after a low priming dose of 5cGy did not show adaptation to the challenge dose, washing the cells with PBS and giving the cells fresh media after the low dose did allow radioadaptation to occur. This is consistent with the results of a previous publication by another research group. In the present study, genes involved in DNA damage signaling and the oxidative stress response were studied using RT PCR techniques in order to look at changes in expression level after the low dose with or without washing. Our preliminary results indicate that upregulation of oxidative stress response genes ANGPTL7, NCF2, TTN, and SRXN1 may be involved in the radioadaptive response. The low dose of radiation alone was found to activate the oxidative stress response genes GPR156 and MTL5, whereas, washing the cells alone caused relatively robust upregulation of the oxidative stress response genes DUSP1 and PTGS2. Washing after the priming dose showed some changes in the expression level of several DNA damage signaling genes. In addition, we studied whether washing the cells after the priming dose has an effect on the level of nitric oxide in both the media and cells, since nitric oxide levels are known to increase in the media of the cells after a high dose of radiation only if the cells were already exposed to a low priming dose. Based on this preliminary study, we propose that washing the cells after priming exposure actually eliminates some factor secreted by the cells that inhibits radioadaptation leading to the upregulation of some genes which initiates the response.

Dasgupta, Pushan R.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Thixotropy, antithixotropy, and viscoelasticity in hysteresis

Thixotropy, antithixotropy, and viscoelasticity are three types of time-dependent dynamics that involve fundamentally different underlying physical processes. Here, we show that the three dynamics exhibit different signatures in hysteresis by examining the fingerprints of the simplest thixotropic kinetic model, a new antithixotropic model that we introduce here, and the Giesekus model. We start by showing that a consistent protocol to generate hysteresis loops is a discrete shear-rate controlled ramp that begins and ends at high shear rates, rather than at low shear rates. Using this protocol, we identify two distinguishing features in the resulting stress versus shear rate loops. The first is the direction of the hysteresis loops: clockwise for thixotropy, but counterclockwise for viscoelasticity and antithixotropy. A second feature is achieved at high ramping rates where all responses lose hysteresis: the viscoelastic response shows a stress plateau at low shear rates due to lack of stress relaxation, whereas the thixotropic and antithixotropic responses are purely viscous with minimal shear thinning or thickening. We establish further evidence for these signatures by experimentally measuring the hysteresis of Laponite suspensions, carbon black suspensions, and poly(ethylene oxide) solutions, each representing a historically accepted example of each class of material behavior. The signatures measured in experiments are consistent with those predicted by the three models. This study reveals different fingerprints in hysteresis loops associated with thixotropy, antithixotropy, and viscoelasticity, which may be helpful in distinguishing the three time-dependent responses.

Mechanics↗
NASA NTRS1988

Fatigue life prediction modeling for turbine hot section materials

A major objective of the fatigue and fracture efforts under the Hot Section Technology (HOST) program was to significantly improve the analytic life prediction tools used by the aeronautical gas turbine engine industry. This was achieved in the areas of high-temperature thermal and mechanical fatigue of bare and coated high-temperature superalloys. The cyclic crack initiation and propagation resistance of nominally isotropic polycrystalline and highly anisotropic single crystal alloys were addressed. Life prediction modeling efforts were devoted to creep-fatigue interaction, oxidation, coatings interactions, multiaxiality of stress-strain states, mean stress effects, cumulative damage, and thermomechanical fatigue. The fatigue crack initiation life models developed to date include the Cyclic Damage Accumulation (CDA) and the Total Strain Version of Strainrange Partitioning (TS-SRP) for nominally isotropic materials, and the Tensile Hysteretic Energy Model for anisotropic superalloys. A fatigue model is being developed based upon the concepts of Path-Independent Integrals (PII) for describing cyclic crack growth under complex nonlinear response at the crack tip due to thermomechanical loading conditions. A micromechanistic oxidation crack extension model was derived. The models are described and discussed.

Halford, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Fatigue life prediction modeling for turbine hot section materials

A major objective of the fatigue and fracture efforts under the NASA Hot Section Technology (HOST) program was to significantly improve the analytic life prediction tools used by the aeronautical gas turbine engine industry. This was achieved in the areas of high-temperature thermal and mechanical fatigue of bare and coated high-temperature superalloys. The cyclic crack initiation and propagation resistance of nominally isotropic polycrystalline and highly anisotropic single crystal alloys were addressed. Life prediction modeling efforts were devoted to creep-fatigue interaction, oxidation, coatings interactions, multiaxiality of stress-strain states, mean stress effects, cumulative damage, and thermomechanical fatigue. The fatigue crack initiation life models developed to date include the Cyclic Damage Accumulation (CDA) and the Total Strain Version of Strainrange Partitioning (TS-SRP) for nominally isotropic materials, and the Tensile Hysteretic Energy Model for anisotropic superalloys. A fatigue model is being developed based upon the concepts of Path-Independent Integrals (PII) for describing cyclic crack growth under complex nonlinear response at the crack tip due to thermomechanical loading conditions. A micromechanistic oxidation crack extension model was derived. The models are described and discussed.

G R Halford↗
NASA NTRS2010

Radioadaptive Cytoprotective Pathways in the Mouse Retina

Exposure to cosmic radiation implies a risk of tissue degeneration. Radiation retinopathy is a complication of radiotherapy and exhibits common features with other retinopathies and neuropathies. Exposure to a low radiation dose elicits protective cellular events (radioadaptive response), reducing the stress of a subsequent higher dose. To assess the risk of radiation-induced retinal changes and the extent to which a small priming dose reduces this risk, we used a mouse model exposed to a source of Cs-137-gamma radiation. Gene expression profiling of retinas from non-irradiated control C57BL/6J mice (C) were compared to retinas from mice treated with a low 50 mGy dose (LD), a high 6 Gy dose (HD), and a combined treatment of 50 mGy (priming) and 6 Gy (challenge) doses (LHD). Whole retina RNA was isolated and expression analysis for selected genes performed by RTqPCR. Relevant target genes associated with cell death/survival, oxidative stress, cellular stress response and inflammation pathways, were analyzed. Cellular stress response genes were upregulated at 4 hr after the challenge dose in LHD retinas (Sirt1: 1.5 fold, Hsf1: 1.7 fold, Hspa1a: 2.5 fold; Hif1a: 1.8 fold, Bag1: 1.7). A similar trend was observed in LD animals. Most antioxidant enzymes (Hmox1, Sod2, Prdx1, Cygb, Cat1) and inflammatory mediators (NF B, Ptgs2 and Tgfb1) were upregulated in LHD and LD retinas. Expression of the pro-survival gene Bcl2 was upregulated in LD (6-fold) and LHD (4-fold) retinas. In conclusion, cytoprotective gene networks activation in the retina suggests a radioadaptive response to a priming irradiation dose, with mitigation of the deleterious effects of a subsequent high dose exposure. The enhancement of these cytoprotective mechanisms has potential value as a countermeasure to ocular alterations caused by radiation alone or in combination with other factors in spaceflight environments.

Zanello, Susana B.↗