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At least 19 records

The effects of simulated hypogravity on murine bone marrow cells

Mouse bone marrow cells grown in complete medium at unit gravity were compared with a similar population cultured in conditions that mimic some aspects of microgravity. After the cells adjusted to the conditions that simulated microgravity, they proliferated as fetal or oncogenic populations; their numbers doubled in twelve hour periods. Differentiated subpopulations were depleted from the heterogeneous mixture with time and the undifferentiated hematopoietic stem cells increased in numbers. The cells in the control groups in unit gravity and those in the bioreactors in conditions of microgravity were monitored under a number of parameters. Each were phenotyped as to cell surface antigens using a panel of monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. Other parameters compared included: pH, glucose uptake, oxygen consumption and carbon-dioxide production. Nuclear DNA was monitored by flow cytometry. Functional responses were studied by mitogenic stimulation by various lectins. The importance of these findings should have relevance to the space program. Cells should behave predictably in zero gravity; specific populations can be eliminated from diverse populations and other populations isolated. The availability of stem cell populations will enhance both bone marrow and gene transplant programs. Stem cells will permit developmental biologists study the paths of hematopoiesis.

Lawless, Desales

A study of murine bone marrow cells cultured in bioreactors which create an environment which simulated microgravity

Previous research indicated that mouse bone marrow cells could be grown in conditions of simulated microgravity. This environment was created in rotating bioreactor vessels. On three attempts mouse cells were grown successfully in the vessels. The cells reached a stage where the concentrations were doubling daily. Phenotypic analysis using a panel of monoclonal antibodies indicated that the cell were hematopoietic pluripotent stem cells. One unsuccessful attempt was made to reestablish the immune system in immunocompromised mice using these cells. Since last summer, several unsuccessful attempts were made to duplicate these results. It was determined by electron microscopy that the cells successfully grown in 1989 contained virus particles. It was suggested that these virally parasitized cells had been immortalized. The work of this summer is a continuation of efforts to grow mouse bone marrow in these vessels. A number of variations of the protocol were introduced. Certified pathogen free mice were used in the repeat experiments. In some attempts the medium of last summer was used; in others Dexture Culture Medium containing Iscove's Medium supplemented with 20 percent horse serum and 10-6 M hydrocortisone. Efforts this summer were directed solely to repeating the work of last summer. Plans were made for investigations if stem cells were isolated. Immortalization of the undifferentiated stem cell would be attempted by transfection with an oncogenic vector. Selective differentiation would be induced in the stem cell line by growing it with known growth factors and immune response modulators. Interest is in identifying any surface antigens unique to stem cells that would help in their characterization. Another goal was to search for markers on stem cells that would distinguish them from stem cells committed to a particular lineage. If the undifferentiated hematopoietic stem cell was obtained, the pathways that would terminally convert it to myeloid, lyphoid, erythroid, or other cell lines would be studied. Transfection with a known gene would be attempted and then conversion to a terminally identifiable cell.

Lawless, Brother Desales

Effects of spaceflight on rat peripheral blood leukocytes and bone marrow progenitor cells

The white blood cell (WBC) elements and the bone marrow myeloid progenitor cell populations were analyzed to ascertain adaptation to micro-gravity and subsequent readaptation to 1 G in rats flown on the 14-day Spacelab Life Sciences-2 (SLS-2) mission. Bone marrow cells were harvested from one group of rats killed inflight (FD13) and blood was drawn from three other groups at various times. The WBC level was normal on FD14 with the exception of neutrophilia. On FD13, numbers of colony-forming units-granulocyte (CFU-G), CFU-GM, and CFU-M from flight animals were decreased compared with ground controls when incubated with recombinant rat interleukin-3 (rrIL-3) alone or in combination with recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo). On recovery (R + 0), flight rats had decreased numbers of total leukocytes and absolute numbers of lymphocytes and monocytes with elevated neutrophils compared with control rats. They had lower numbers of CD4, CD8, CD2, CD3, and B cells in the peripheral blood but no differences in spleen lymphocytes.

NASA Discipline Number 00-00

The Role of CDKN1a/p21 in Cellular Senescence of Bone Marrow Stem Cells Under Spaceflight Stressors

Spaceflight environments and their associated conditions, such as microgravity and space radiation, cause many biological functions formerly considered to be standard to behave in nonstandard ways. Exposure to microgravity has shown to induce deleterious effects in stem cell-based tissue regeneration, leading to immune system and healing response impairments as well as muscle and bone density loss. Such risks must be mitigated in order for long-term human space exploration to proceed. Thus, our work seeks to explore mechanisms of stem cell-based tissue regeneration that experience changes in spaceflight environments. Cellular senescence is a process of inducing cell cycle arrest that can be initiated by various stimuli. This function is influenced by two major pathways, controlled by p53 and pRB tumor suppressor proteins. p53 activity targets the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor gene p21Cdkn1a in osteogenic cell cycle arrest. Under conditions of mechanical unloading, stem cell-based tissue regeneration has shown to be decreased in both proliferation and differentiation, as many cells are arrested in progenitor states. p21 has shown upregulation in expression under conditions of microgravity, suggesting its role in regenerative bone formation arrest in space. p21 levels are found to be elevated independent of p53, suggesting a decrease in proliferation and regeneration without apoptosis, but rather through cell cycle arrest alone. Thus, we hypothesize that p21 is a mediator of cellular senescence in bone marrow stem cells. Culturing of bone marrow stem cells from wild type and p21 knockout mice under osteoblastogenic conditions will be completed to explore the role of p21Cdkn1a in stem cell proliferation and maturation. We believe that decreases in somatic stem cell differentiation may occur after spaceflight due to signal pathway alterations that result in downstream inhibition of genes involved in differentiation, preventing tissue from repairing and regenerating normally.

Stem Cells

Experiment K-6-23. Effect of spaceflight on levels and function of immune cells

Two different immunology experiments were performed on samples received from rats flown on Cosmos 1887. In the first experiment, rat bone marrow cells were examined in Moscow for their response to colony stimulating factor-M. In the second experiment, rat spleen and bone marrow cells were stained in Moscow with a variety of antibodies directed against cell surface antigenic markers. These cells were preserved and shipped to the United States where they were subjected to analysis on a flow cytometer. The results of the studies indicate that bone marrow cells from flown rats showed a decreased response to colony stimulating factor than did bone marrow cells from control rats. There was a higher percentage of spleen cells from flown rats staining positively for pan-T-cell, suppressor-T-cell and innate interleukin-2 receptor antigens than from control animals. In addition, a higher percentage of cells that appeared to be part of the myelogenous population of bone marrow cells from flown rats stained positively for surface immunoglobulin than did equivalent cells from control rats.

Mandel, A. D.

Spaceflight alters immune cell function and distribution

Experiments are described which were performed onboard Cosmos 2044 to determine spaceflight effects on immunologically important cell function and distribution. Results indicate that bone marrow cells from flown and suspended rats exhibited a decreased response to a granulocyte/monocyte colony-stimulating factor compared with the bone marrow cells from control rats. Bone marrow cells showed an increase in the percentage of cells expressing markers for helper T-cells in the myelogenous population and increased percentages of anti-asialo granulocyte/monocyte-1-bearing interleulin-2 receptor bearing pan T- and helper T-cells in the lymphocytic population.

Sonnenfeld, Gerald

Experiment K-7-23: Effect of Spaceflight on Level and Function of Immune Cells: Immunology Studies - Part 1

Two different experiments were carried out in this segment of the immunology protocol for samples received from rats flown on Cosmos 2044. Control groups included vivarium, synchronous and antiorthostatically suspended rats. In the first experiment, rat bone marrow cells were examined in Moscow for their response to recombinant murine colony stimulating factor-granulocyte / monocyte (CSF-GM). In the second experiment, rat spleen and bone marrow cells were stained in Moscow with a variety of antibodies directed against cell surface antigenic markers. These cells were preserved and shipped to the United States for analysis on a flow cytometer. The results of the studies indicated that bone marrow cells from flown and suspended rats showed a decreased response to CSF-GM as compared to bone marrow cells from control rats. Spleen cells from flown rats showed increased percentages of suppressor-cytotoxic-T and helper-T cells amongst the entire cell population. Bone marrow cells showed an increase in the percentage of helper-T cells in the myelogenous population and increased percentages of anti-asialo GM-1 bearing, interleukin-2 receptor bearing, pan-T and helper-T cells in the lymphocytic population. Cell populations from rats suspended antiorthostatically did not follow the same pattern of distribution of leukocytes as cell populations for flown rats. These results are similar, but not identical to, earlier results from Cosmos 1887, and confirm that space flight can have profound effects on immune system components and activities.

Sonnenfeld, G.

Effects of spaceflight on levels and activity of immune cells

Experiments were carried out on cells from rats that had been flown on Soviet Biosputnik Cosmos 1887 to explore the effects of speceflight on immune responses. Rat bone marrow cells were examined for their response to colony stimulating factor-M. Rat spleen and bone marrow cells were stained with antibodies directed against cell surface antigenic markers. The results of the studies indicate that bone marrow cells from flown rats showed a decreased response to colony stimulating factor. There was a higher percentage of spleen cells from flown rats staining positively for pan-T-cell, suppressor-T-cell, and interleukin-2 receptor cell surface antigens. A small increase in the percentage of cells staining positively for helper-T-cell antigens was also noted. In addition, a higher percentage of cells that appeared to be part of the myelogenous population of bone marrow cells from flown rats stained positively for surface immunoglobulin.

Sonnenfeld, Gerald

Effects of hypergravity on immunologic function

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of hypergravity exposure (2g) with those of exposure to space flight in the Cosmos 2044 flight. To do so, rats were centrifuged continuously for 14 days. Two different experiments were carried out on tissue obtained from the centrifuged rats. In the first experiment, rat bone marrow cells were examined for their response to recombinant murine colony stimulating factor-granulocyte/monocyte (GM-CSF). In the second experiment, rat spleen and bone marrow cells were stained in with a variety of antibodies directed against cell surface antigenic markers. These cells were preserved and analyzed on a flow cytometer. The results of the studies indicated that bone marrow cells from centrifuged rats showed no significant change in response to GM-CSF as compared to bone marrow cells from control rats. Spleen cells from flown rats showed some statistically significant changes in leukocytes subset distribution, but no differences that appeared to be of biological significance. These results indicate that hypergravity did not greatly affect the same immunological parameters affected by space flight in the Cosmos 2044 mission.

NASA Program Flight

Single-Cell mRNA Sequencing of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Lineages Shows that Gravity Mechanical Loading Regulates Regenerative Osteogenesis in a CDKN1A-Dependent Manner

Weight-bearing at 1g is increasingly recognized as an important stimulus driving stem cell-based tissue regenerative homeostasis and health. In the bone marrow compartment, mechanical stimuli from gravity can drive osteogenesis from mesenchymal progenitors and hematopoiesis from hematopoietic progenitors. Conversely, hematopoietic monocyte/macrophage progenitors can also be driven into osteoclastogenesis by mechanical unloading in microgravity. Although the cell cycle inhibitor gene Cdkn1a is known to be upregulated in microgravity, the great diversity of stem cell lineages and stages of differentiation in bone marrow, make it difficult to attribute gene expression changes to specific cell types. To overcome this limitation, we used single-cell mRNAseq analyses with both in-vitro and in-vivo strategies, including in-vitro stretch of marrow osteogenic cultures, and in-vivo hindlimb unloading, running wheels, treadmills, and exposure to real microgravity. For in-vitro studies marrow osteoprogenitors from WT and Cdkn1a-null mice were subjected to substrate stretch during osteogenesis, with static cultures simulating unloading. From those experiments we determined Cdkn1a-null cells transition more readily from progenitors to early osteoblasts and further to mineralizing osteoblasts. Additionally, single-cell mRNAseq resolution identified Cdkn1a suppression in response to mechanical loading predominantly in early proliferative osteoblasts rather than progenitor or mineralizing osteoblasts. These findings support the hypothesis that CDKN1A plays a mechano-reversible, anti-proliferative role during bone regenerative osteogenesis. To investigate in-vivo mechanoregulation of osteogenesis, mice were flown in microgravity during the Rodent Research-10 experiment comparing wildtype and Cdkn1a-null mice kept on ISS for 30 days. The mice were euthanized and dissected on-orbit in microgravity and femur bone marrow was collected using a custom sample isolation and live-cell cryo-preservation technique allowing for single cell transcriptomics post-flight processing. Ground control experiments with hindlimb-unloading, running wheels, and treadmills, were also conducted for a comprehensive analysis of mechanical loading effects on the regenerative health of bone tissue and its marrow stem cell progenitor lineages.

single cell sequencing

A Novel Bone Marrow Single Cell Atlas of Mechanotransduction in Microgravity, Normal Gravity, Exercise, and Hindlimb Unloading for WT and CDKN1A-Null Regenerative Mice

Mechanical loading of adult stem cell progenitors is a key factor in modulating their proliferation, differentiation, and tissue regenerative potential, with loading generally promoting tissue formation and unloading mediating tissue loss. To address the role of mechanotransduction in maintaining stem cell-based tissue regenerative health, we generated a single cell transcriptomic atlas mapping responses of femur bone marrow mesenchymal and hematopoietic lineages to a range of altered mechanical loading conditions, both in WT B1629SF2/J mice as well as the p21/CDKN1A-null regenerative mice. We selected the femur marrow compartment as a model because of the diversity and high numbers of stem cell progenitor stages present, and because it undergoes static and cyclic hydrostatic pressure loading associated with weight-bearing and ambulation. Our study included normally loaded mice at 1g, unloading in microgravity during spaceflight as well as tail suspension hindlimb unloading, and voluntary running wheel exercise. Basal, one-year natural aging, and habitat controls were also conducted. Overall, the atlas encompasses 18 different experimental conditions with N=3 mice per condition and includes more than 500,000 single cell expressomes. Key specific findings include: increased mature reticulocyte populations in aging and unloading mice compared to active mice; greater hematopoietic and mesenchymal differentiating progenitors cluster identification in CDKN1A-null samples, especially the exercise model; distinct pseudotime cell trajectory shifts in the hematopoietic lineage for spaceflight and unloaded mice; and shifts in monocytic cell populations toward osteoclastic bone degenerative lineages in unloading and spaceflight samples. Overall mechanical loading shows increased marrow progenitor population differentiation while unloading is associated with increased CDKN1A expression and maintenance of marrow population stemness. Deletion of CDKN1A appears to remove a negative check on progenitor lineages commitment to differentiation. Finally, the Bone Marrow Mechanotransduction Single Cell Atlas will serve as a reference tool for studying marrow regenerative responses across a range of mechanical environments as they relate to CDKN1A status.

single-cell

Effects of hypergravity on immunologic function

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of hypergravity exposure (2g) with those of exposure to space flight in the Cosmos 2044 flight. To do so, rats were centrifuged continuously for 14 days. Two different experiments were carried out on tissue obtained from the centrifuged rats. In the first experiment, rat bone marrow cells were examined for their response to recombinant murine colony stimulating factor-granulocyte/monocyte (GM-CSF). In the second experiment, rate spleen and bone marrow cells were stained in with a variety of antibodies directed against cell surface antigenic markers. These cells were preserved and analyzed on a flow cytometer. The results of the studies indicated that bone marrow cells from centrifuged rats showed no significant change in response to GM-CSF as compared to bone marrow cells from control rats. Spleen cells from flown rats showed some statistically significant changes in leukocytes subset distribution, but no differences that appeared to be of biological significance. These results indicate that hypergravity did not greatly affect the same immunological parameters affected by space flight in the Cosmos 2044 mission.

Sonnenfeld, G.

Differential expression of human lysyl hydroxylase genes, lysine hydroxylation, and cross-linking of type I collagen during osteoblastic differentiation in vitro

The pattern of lysyl hydroxylation in the nontriple helical domains of collagen is critical in determining the cross-linking pathways that are tissue specific. We hypothesized that the tissue specificity of type I collagen cross-linking is, in part, due to the differential expression of lysyl hydroxylase genes (Procollagen-lysine,2-oxyglutarate,5-dioxygenase 1, 2, and 3 [PLOD1, PLOD2, and PLOD3]). In this study, we have examined the expression patterns of these three genes during the course of in vitro differentiation of human osteoprogenitor cells (bone marrow stromal cells [BMSCs]) and normal skin fibroblasts (NSFs). In addition, using the medium and cell layer/matrix fractions in these cultures, lysine hydroxylation of type I collagen alpha chains and collagen cross-linking chemistries have been characterized. High levels of PLOD1 and PLOD3 genes were expressed in both BMSCs and NSFs, and the expression levels did not change in the course of differentiation. In contrast to the PLOD1 and PLOD3 genes, both cell types showed low PLOD2 gene expression in undifferentiated and early differentiated conditions. However, fully differentiated BMSCs, but not NSFs, exhibited a significantly elevated level (6-fold increase) of PLOD2 mRNA. This increase coincided with the onset of matrix mineralization and with the increase in lysyl hydroxylation in the nontriple helical domains of alpha chains of type I collagen molecule. Furthermore, the collagen cross-links that are derived from the nontriple helical hydroxylysine-aldehyde were found only in fully differentiated BMSC cultures. The data suggests that PLOD2 expression is associated with lysine hydroxylation in the nontriple helical domains of collagen and, thus, could be partially responsible for the tissue-specific collagen cross-linking pattern.

NASA Discipline Musculoskeletal