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Advances in Space Biology
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Advances in Space Biology

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Astrobiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (21 April 2023) | Viewed by 41958

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Claudia Pacelli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Italian Space Agency (ASI), Department of Science and Research, Via del Politecnico, 00133 Rome, Italy
Interests: astrobiology; microbiology; space biology; microgravity; radiation; adaptation
Dr. Francesca Ferranti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Italian Space Agency (ASI), Department of Science and Research, Via del Politecnico, 00133 Rome, Italy
Interests: space biology and medicine; animal research; microgravity; space analogues; adaptation
Dr. Marta del Bianco

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Italian Space Agency (ASI), Department of Science and Research, Via del Politecnico, 00133 Rome, Italy
Interests: cell and plant biology; microbiology; space biology; microgravity; Evo-devo
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Space exploration endeavours have brought human presence beyond the Earth’s surface, while starting a new era in Space Biology researches. Space Biology aims to better understand how spaceflight affects living systems to guarantee the success and safety of human exploration missions. This understanding will be increasingly important as humans leave the Low Earth orbit (LEO) to better explore the Moon and reach Mars. For research purposes, space conditions are achieved either on spacecrafts, such as the International Space Station (ISS), and in ground-based facilities that mimic aspects of spaceflight. Space Biology aims span from molecules to cells, from tissues and organs, and from systems to whole organisms to communities of microorganisms. The space environment influences these systems in terms of metabolism, growth, stress responses, physiology, and development. The results achieved have shed light on fundamental biological phenomena, but have also brought great advances in applied sciences, from biomedicine to bioregenerative life support systems and in-situ resource utilization. In recent years, Space biology has benefitted from the increased opportunity for flight or ground-based platform accessibility, expanding the scientific community involved. This Research Topic is open to original research papers and reviews related to life sciences applied to space that further the understanding of the responses of biological systems (humans, animals, plants and microbes) to space or the spacesimulated environment to support and help to achieve successful exploration missions.

Topics of interest include, but not limited to:

• Discovering how biological systems respond, acclimate and adapt to the space environment

• Effects of microgravity, radiation and other space conditions on human physiology and health

• Effects of microgravity, radiation and other space conditions on plants and their applications for BLSS and ISRU

• Effects of microgravity, radiation and other space conditions on microorganisms, with particular focus on their impact on astronaut health, contamination, bioregenerative life-support system, ISRU, adaptive processes, life signature beyond Earth.

• Space life-sciences studies conducted on the ISS, ground-based facility and analogue environments.

• -Omics studies on the humans and/or animal, plant and microbial organisms after spaceflight or simulated space conditions

• -Omics studies on single organisms or microbial communities grown under simulated planetary conditions • Development of countermeasures to enable long-term human missions

• Developing integrated physiological models for biology in space

• Identifying the underlying mechanisms that govern biological processes and responses in the space environment

Dr. Claudia Pacelli
Dr. Francesca Ferranti
Dr. Marta del Bianco
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • microgravity
  • adaptation
  • radiations
  • ground-based facility
  • international space station

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Published Papers (15 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review, Other

4 pages, 183 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue: ‘Advances in Space Biology’
by Claudia Pacelli, Francesca Ferranti and Marta Del Bianco
Life 2024, 14(8), 931; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14080931 - 25 Jul 2024
Viewed by 550
Abstract
As we enter a new era of space exploration, space biology is at the forefront of both robotic and human space programs [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Space Biology)

Research

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12 pages, 2434 KiB  
Article
Development of Sensitive Methods for the Detection of Minimum Concentrations of DNA on Martian Soil Simulants
by Yongda Li, Keith D. Rochfort, David Collins and Konstantinos Grintzalis
Life 2023, 13(10), 1999; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13101999 - 30 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1532
Abstract
Several methods used for the quantification of DNA are based on UV absorbance or the fluorescence of complexes with intercalator dyes. Most of these intercalators are used in gels to visualize DNA and its structural integrity. Due to many extraterrestrial samples, such as [...] Read more.
Several methods used for the quantification of DNA are based on UV absorbance or the fluorescence of complexes with intercalator dyes. Most of these intercalators are used in gels to visualize DNA and its structural integrity. Due to many extraterrestrial samples, such as meteorites or comets, which are likely to contain very small amounts of biological material, and because the ability to detect this material is crucial for understanding the origin and evolution of life in the universe, the development of assays that can detect DNA at low limits and withstand the rigors of space exploration is a pressing need in the field of astrobiology. In this study, we present a comparison of optimized protocols used for the fast and accurate quantification of DNA using common intercalator dyes. The sensitivity of assays exceeded that generated by any commercial kit and allowed for the accurate quantification of minimum concentrations of DNA. The methods were successful when applied to the detection and measurement of DNA spiked on soil samples. Furthermore, the impact of UV radiation as a harsh condition on the surface of Mars was assessed by DNA degradation and this was also confirmed by gel electrophoresis. Overall, the methods described provide economical, simple-step, and efficient approaches for the detection of DNA and can be used in future planetary exploration missions as tests used for the extraction of nucleic acid biosignatures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Space Biology)
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13 pages, 3324 KiB  
Article
A Simple Biochemical Method for the Detection of Proteins as Biomarkers of Life on Martian Soil Simulants and the Impact of UV Radiation
by Yongda Li, David A. Collins and Konstantinos Grintzalis
Life 2023, 13(5), 1150; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13051150 - 9 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2620
Abstract
The search for life on other planets relies on the detection of biosignatures of life. Many macromolecules have been suggested as potential targets, among which are proteins that are considered vital components of life due to their essential roles in forming cellular structures, [...] Read more.
The search for life on other planets relies on the detection of biosignatures of life. Many macromolecules have been suggested as potential targets, among which are proteins that are considered vital components of life due to their essential roles in forming cellular structures, facilitating cellular communication and signaling, and catalyzing metabolic reactions. In this context, accurate quantification of protein signatures in soil would be advantageous, and while several proposed methods exist, which are limited by their sensitivity and specificity, their applicability needs further testing and validation. To this aim, we optimized a Bradford-based assay with high sensitivity and reproducibility and a simple protocol to quantify protein extracted from a Martian soil simulant. Methods for protein spiking, extraction, and recovery were optimized, using protein standards and bacterial proteins as representative models. The proposed method achieved high sensitivity and reproducibility. Taking into account that life remains could exist on the surface of Mars, which is subjected to UV radiation, a simulation of UV exposure was performed on a spiked soil simulant. UV radiation degraded the protein spike, thus highlighting the importance of searching for the remaining signal from degraded proteins. Finally, the applicability of the method was explored in relation to the storage of the reagent which was stable even up to 12 months, thus making its application possible for future planetary exploration missions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Space Biology)
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15 pages, 4036 KiB  
Article
Designing a Novel Monitoring Approach for the Effects of Space Travel on Astronauts’ Health
by Anurag Sakharkar and Jian Yang
Life 2023, 13(2), 576; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13020576 - 18 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3921
Abstract
Space exploration and extraterrestrial civilization have fascinated humankind since the earliest days of human history. It was only in the last century that humankind finally began taking significant steps towards these goals by sending astronauts into space, landing on the moon, and building [...] Read more.
Space exploration and extraterrestrial civilization have fascinated humankind since the earliest days of human history. It was only in the last century that humankind finally began taking significant steps towards these goals by sending astronauts into space, landing on the moon, and building the International Space Station. However, space voyage is very challenging and dangerous, and astronauts are under constant space radiation and microgravity. It has been shown that astronauts are at a high risk of developing a broad range of diseases/disorders. Thus, it is critical to develop a rapid and effective assay to monitor astronauts’ health in space. In this study, gene expression and correlation patterns were analyzed for 10 astronauts (8 male and 2 female) using the publicly available microarray dataset E-GEOD-74708. We identified 218 differentially expressed genes between In-flight and Pre-flight and noticed that space travel decreased genome regulation and gene correlations across the entire genome, as well as individual signaling pathways. Furthermore, we systematically developed a shortlist of 32 genes that could be used to monitor astronauts’ health during space travel. Further studies, including microgravity experiments, are warranted to optimize and validate the proposed assay. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Space Biology)
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14 pages, 3281 KiB  
Article
A Compact Imaging Platform for Conducting C. elegans Phenotypic Assays on Earth and in Spaceflight
by Taslim Anupom and Siva A. Vanapalli
Life 2023, 13(1), 200; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13010200 - 10 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3513
Abstract
The model organism Caenorhabditis elegans is used in a variety of applications ranging from fundamental biological studies, to drug screening, to disease modeling, and to space-biology investigations. These applications rely on conducting whole-organism phenotypic assays involving animal behavior and locomotion. In this study, [...] Read more.
The model organism Caenorhabditis elegans is used in a variety of applications ranging from fundamental biological studies, to drug screening, to disease modeling, and to space-biology investigations. These applications rely on conducting whole-organism phenotypic assays involving animal behavior and locomotion. In this study, we report a 3D printed compact imaging platform (CIP) that is integrated with a smart-device camera for the whole-organism phenotyping of C. elegans. The CIP has no external optical elements and does not require mechanical focusing, simplifying the optical configuration. The small footprint of the system powered with a standard USB provides capabilities ranging from plug-and-play, to parallel operation, and to housing it in incubators for temperature control. We demonstrate on Earth the compatibility of the CIP with different C. elegans substrates, including agar plates, liquid droplets on glass slides and microfluidic chips. We validate the system with behavioral and thrashing assays and show that the phenotypic readouts are in good agreement with the literature data. We conduct a pilot study with mutants and show that the phenotypic data collected from the CIP distinguishes these mutants. Finally, we discuss how the simplicity and versatility offered by CIP makes it amenable to future C. elegans investigations on the International Space Station, where science experiments are constrained by system size, payload weight and crew time. Overall, the compactness, portability and ease-of-use makes the CIP desirable for research and educational outreach applications on Earth and in space. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Space Biology)
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15 pages, 2924 KiB  
Article
Mitochondria-Targeted Human Catalase in the Mouse Longevity MCAT Model Mitigates Head-Tilt Bedrest-Induced Neuro-Inflammation in the Hippocampus
by Linda Rubinstein, Frederico Kiffer, Stephanie Puukila, Moniece G. Lowe, Brie Goo, Amalia Luthens, Ann-Sofie Schreurs, Samantha M. Torres, Sonette Steczina, Candice G. T. Tahimic and Antiño R. Allen
Life 2022, 12(11), 1838; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12111838 - 9 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2612
Abstract
Microgravity (modeled by head-tilt bedrest and hind-limb unloading), experienced during prolonged spaceflight, results in neurological consequences, central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction, and potentially impairment during the performance of critical tasks. Similar pathologies are observed in bedrest, sedentary lifestyle, and muscle disuse on Earth. [...] Read more.
Microgravity (modeled by head-tilt bedrest and hind-limb unloading), experienced during prolonged spaceflight, results in neurological consequences, central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction, and potentially impairment during the performance of critical tasks. Similar pathologies are observed in bedrest, sedentary lifestyle, and muscle disuse on Earth. In our previous study, we saw that head-tilt bedrest together with social isolation upregulated the milieu of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus and plasma. These changes were mitigated in a MCAT mouse model overexpressing human catalase in the mitochondria, pointing out the importance of ROS signaling in this stress response. Here, we used a head-tilt model in socially housed mice to tease out the effects of head-tilt bedrest without isolation. In order to find the underlying molecular mechanisms that provoked the cytokine response, we measured CD68, an indicator of microglial activation in the hippocampus, as well as changes in normal in-cage behavior. We hypothesized that hindlimb unloading (HU) will elicit microglial hippocampal activations, which will be mitigated in the MCAT ROS-quenching mice model. Indeed, we saw an elevation of the activated microglia CD68 marker following HU in the hippocampus, and this pathology was mitigated in MCAT mice. Additionally, we identified cytokines in the hippocampus, which had significant positive correlations with CD68 and negative correlations with exploratory behaviors, indicating a link between neuroinflammation and behavioral consequences. Unveiling a correlation between molecular and behavioral changes could reveal a biomarker indicative of these responses and could also result in a potential target for the treatment and prevention of cognitive changes following long space missions and/or muscle disuse on Earth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Space Biology)
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13 pages, 8200 KiB  
Article
Simulated Microgravity Modulates Focal Adhesion Gene Expression in Human Neural Stem Progenitor Cells
by Wei Wang, Elena Di Nisio, Valerio Licursi, Emanuele Cacci, Giuseppe Lupo, Zaal Kokaia, Sergio Galanti, Paolo Degan, Sara D’Angelo, Patrizio Castagnola, Sara Tavella and Rodolfo Negri
Life 2022, 12(11), 1827; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12111827 - 9 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1839
Abstract
We analyzed the morphology and the transcriptomic changes of human neural stem progenitor cells (hNSPCs) grown on laminin in adherent culture conditions and subjected to simulated microgravity for different times in a random positioning machine apparatus. Low-cell-density cultures exposed to simulated microgravity for [...] Read more.
We analyzed the morphology and the transcriptomic changes of human neural stem progenitor cells (hNSPCs) grown on laminin in adherent culture conditions and subjected to simulated microgravity for different times in a random positioning machine apparatus. Low-cell-density cultures exposed to simulated microgravity for 24 h showed cell aggregate formation and significant modulation of several genes involved in focal adhesion, cytoskeleton regulation, and cell cycle control. These effects were much more limited in hNSPCs cultured at high density in the same conditions. We also found that some of the genes modulated upon exposure to simulated microgravity showed similar changes in hNSPCs grown without laminin in non-adherent culture conditions under normal gravity. These results suggest that reduced gravity counteracts the interactions of cells with the extracellular matrix, inducing morphological and transcriptional changes that can be observed in low-density cultures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Space Biology)
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16 pages, 658 KiB  
Article
On the Role of 40K in the Origin of Terrestrial Life
by Giovanni Vladilo
Life 2022, 12(10), 1620; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12101620 - 17 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1981
Abstract
The abundance and biological role of potassium suggest that its unstable nuclide was present in all stages of terrestrial biogenesis. With its enhanced isotopic ratio in the Archean eon, 40K may have contributed to the special, perhaps unique, biogenetic conditions that were [...] Read more.
The abundance and biological role of potassium suggest that its unstable nuclide was present in all stages of terrestrial biogenesis. With its enhanced isotopic ratio in the Archean eon, 40K may have contributed to the special, perhaps unique, biogenetic conditions that were present in the primitive Earth. Compared to the U and Th radionuclides, 40K has a less disruptive radiochemical impact, which may drive a moderate, but persistent evolution of the structural and functional properties of proto-biological molecules. In the main β-decay route of 40K, the radiation dose generated by an Archean solution with potassium ions can be larger than the present background radiation on Earth by one to two orders of magnitude. Estimates of the rates of organic molecules indirectly affected by β decays are provided for two schematic models of the propagation of secondary events in the solvent of prebiotic solutions. The left-handed β− particles emitted by 40K are the best candidates to trigger an enantiomeric excess of L-type amino acids via weak nuclear forces in the primitive Earth. The concentration-dependent radiation dose of 40K fits well in dry–wet scenarios of life’s origins and should be considered in realistic simulations of prebiotic chemical pathways. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Space Biology)
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10 pages, 777 KiB  
Article
Dynamics of Dopamine and Other Monoamines Content in Rat Brain after Single Low-Dose Carbon Nuclei Irradiation
by Viktor S. Kokhan, Alexey A. Ustyugov and Vladimir A. Pikalov
Life 2022, 12(9), 1306; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12091306 - 25 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2009
Abstract
Space radiation, presented primarily by high-charge and -energy particles (HZEs), has a substantial impact on the central nervous system (CNS) of astronauts. This impact, surprisingly, has not only negative but also positive effects on CNS functions. Despite the fact that the mechanisms of [...] Read more.
Space radiation, presented primarily by high-charge and -energy particles (HZEs), has a substantial impact on the central nervous system (CNS) of astronauts. This impact, surprisingly, has not only negative but also positive effects on CNS functions. Despite the fact that the mechanisms of this effect have not yet been elucidated, several studies indicate a key role for monoaminergic networks underlying these effects. Here, we investigated the effects of acute irradiation with 450 MeV/n carbon (12C) nuclei at a dose of 0.14 Gy on Wistar rats; a state of anxiety was accessed using a light–dark box, spatial memory in a Morris water maze, and the dynamics of monoamine metabolism in several brain morphological structures using HPLC. No behavioral changes were observed. Irradiation led to the immediate suppression of dopamine turnover in the prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, and striatum, while a decrease in the level of norepinephrine was detected in the amygdala. However, these effects were transient. The deferred effect of dopamine turnover increase was found in the hippocampus. These data underscore the ability of even low-dose 12C irradiation to affect monoaminergic networks. However, this impact is transient and is not accompanied by behavioral alterations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Space Biology)
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13 pages, 1760 KiB  
Article
Exposure to Random Positioning Machine Alters the Mineralization Process and PTX3 Expression in the SAOS-2 Cell Line
by Ida Cariati, Roberto Bonanni, Manuel Scimeca, Anna Maria Rinaldi, Mario Marini, Umberto Tarantino and Virginia Tancredi
Life 2022, 12(5), 610; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12050610 - 19 Apr 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2913
Abstract
Bone loss is among the most frequent changes seen in astronauts during space missions. Although weightlessness is known to cause high bone resorption and a rapid decrease in bone minerals and calcium, the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. In our work, [...] Read more.
Bone loss is among the most frequent changes seen in astronauts during space missions. Although weightlessness is known to cause high bone resorption and a rapid decrease in bone minerals and calcium, the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. In our work, we investigated the influence of random positioning machine (RPM) exposure on the mineralization process in the SAOS-2 cell line, in osteogenic and non-osteogenic conditions, by examining changes in their mineralizing capacity and in the expression of PTX3, a positive regulator of bone mineralization. We analyzed cell viability by MTS assay and the mineralization process after staining with Toluidine Blue and Alizarin Red, while PTX3 expression was investigated by immunocytochemistry and western blotting analysis. Our results showed that RPM exposure increased cells’ viability and improved their mineralizing competence when not treated with osteogenic cocktail. In contrast, in osteogenic conditions, cells exposed to RPM showed a reduction in the presence of calcification-like structures, mineral deposits and PTX3 expression, suggesting that the effects of RPM exposure on mineralizing matrix deposition depend on the presence of osteogenic factors in the culture medium. Further studies will be needed to clarify the role of potential mineralization markers in the cellular response to the simulated biological effects of microgravity, paving the way for a new approach to treating osteoporosis in astronauts exposed to spaceflight. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Space Biology)
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Review

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13 pages, 683 KiB  
Review
Social Isolation: A Narrative Review on the Dangerous Liaison between the Autonomic Nervous System and Inflammation
by Costanza Scatà, Angelica Carandina, Alice Della Torre, Beatrice Arosio, Chiara Bellocchi, Gabriel Dias Rodrigues, Ludovico Furlan, Eleonora Tobaldini and Nicola Montano
Life 2023, 13(6), 1229; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13061229 - 23 May 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3242
Abstract
Social isolation and feelings of loneliness are related to higher mortality and morbidity. Evidence from studies conducted during space missions, in space analogs, and during the COVID-19 pandemic underline the possible role of the autonomic nervous system in mediating this relation. Indeed, the [...] Read more.
Social isolation and feelings of loneliness are related to higher mortality and morbidity. Evidence from studies conducted during space missions, in space analogs, and during the COVID-19 pandemic underline the possible role of the autonomic nervous system in mediating this relation. Indeed, the activation of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system enhances the cardiovascular response and activates the transcription of pro-inflammatory genes, which leads to a stimulation of inflammatory activation. This response is adaptive in the short term, in that it allows one to cope with a situation perceived as a threat, but in the long term it has detrimental effects on mental and physical health, leading to mood deflection and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as imbalances in immune system activation. The aim of this narrative review is to present the contributions from space studies and insights from the lockdown period on the relationship between social isolation and autonomic nervous system activation, focusing on cardiovascular impairment and immune imbalance. Knowing the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this relationship is important as it enables us to structure effective countermeasures for the new challenges that lie ahead: the lengthening of space missions and Mars exploration, the specter of future pandemics, and the aging of the population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Space Biology)
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22 pages, 1087 KiB  
Review
Are Skeletal Muscle Changes during Prolonged Space Flights Similar to Those Experienced by Frail and Sarcopenic Older Adults?
by Alessandro Cannavo, Angelica Carandina, Graziamaria Corbi, Eleonora Tobaldini, Nicola Montano and Beatrice Arosio
Life 2022, 12(12), 2139; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12122139 - 19 Dec 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4063
Abstract
Microgravity exposure causes several physiological and psychosocial alterations that challenge astronauts’ health during space flight. Notably, many of these changes are mostly related to physical inactivity influencing different functional systems and organ biology, in particular the musculoskeletal system, dramatically resulting in aging-like phenotypes, [...] Read more.
Microgravity exposure causes several physiological and psychosocial alterations that challenge astronauts’ health during space flight. Notably, many of these changes are mostly related to physical inactivity influencing different functional systems and organ biology, in particular the musculoskeletal system, dramatically resulting in aging-like phenotypes, such as those occurring in older persons on Earth. In this sense, sarcopenia, a syndrome characterized by the loss in muscle mass and strength due to skeletal muscle unloading, is undoubtedly one of the most critical aging-like adverse effects of microgravity and a prevalent problem in the geriatric population, still awaiting effective countermeasures. Therefore, there is an urgent demand to identify clinically relevant biological markers and to underline molecular mechanisms behind these effects that are still poorly understood. From this perspective, a lesson from Geroscience may help tailor interventions to counteract the adverse effects of microgravity. For instance, decades of studies in the field have demonstrated that in the older people, the clinical picture of sarcopenia remarkably overlaps (from a clinical and biological point of view) with that of frailty, primarily when referred to the physical function domain. Based on this premise, here we provide a deeper understanding of the biological mechanisms of sarcopenia and frailty, which in aging are often considered together, and how these converge with those observed in astronauts after space flight. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Space Biology)
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14 pages, 1209 KiB  
Review
Real and Simulated Microgravity: Focus on Mammalian Extracellular Matrix
by Elena Andreeva, Diana Matveeva, Olga Zhidkova, Ivan Zhivodernikov, Oleg Kotov and Ludmila Buravkova
Life 2022, 12(9), 1343; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12091343 - 29 Aug 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2738
Abstract
The lack of gravitational loading is a pivotal risk factor during space flights. Biomedical studies indicate that because of the prolonged effect of microgravity, humans experience bone mass loss, muscle atrophy, cardiovascular insufficiency, and sensory motor coordination disorders. These findings demonstrate the essential [...] Read more.
The lack of gravitational loading is a pivotal risk factor during space flights. Biomedical studies indicate that because of the prolonged effect of microgravity, humans experience bone mass loss, muscle atrophy, cardiovascular insufficiency, and sensory motor coordination disorders. These findings demonstrate the essential role of gravity in human health quality. The physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms of an acute response to microgravity at various levels (molecular, cellular, tissue, and physiological) and subsequent adaptation are intensively studied. Under the permanent gravity of the Earth, multicellular organisms have developed a multi-component tissue mechanosensitive system which includes cellular (nucleo- and cytoskeleton) and extracellular (extracellular matrix, ECM) “mechanosensory” elements. These compartments are coordinated due to specialized integrin-based protein complexes, forming a distinctive mechanosensitive unit. Under the lack of continuous gravitational loading, this unit becomes a substrate for adaptation processes, acting as a gravisensitive unit. Since the space flight conditions limit large-scale research in space, simulation models on Earth are of particular importance for elucidating the mechanisms that provide a response to microgravity. This review describes current state of art concerning mammalian ECM as a gravisensitive unit component under real and simulated microgravity and discusses the directions of further research in this field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Space Biology)
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Other

15 pages, 1043 KiB  
Systematic Review
Skin Microbial Changes during Space Flights: A Systematic Review
by Pamela Tozzo, Arianna Delicati and Luciana Caenazzo
Life 2022, 12(10), 1498; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12101498 - 26 Sep 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2085
Abstract
Background. Sixty years after the launch of the first human into space, different studies on the physiological changes that humans undergo during dynamic flight phases and prolonged weightlessness have been undertaken. Understanding these changes is important for the creation of the preventative [...] Read more.
Background. Sixty years after the launch of the first human into space, different studies on the physiological changes that humans undergo during dynamic flight phases and prolonged weightlessness have been undertaken. Understanding these changes is important for the creation of the preventative measures that are essential to ensuring astronaut health. Among these changes, those of the skin are frequent, despite being rarely treated during missions. The skin is a physical barrier that protects the body from pathogen invasion and environmental changes, and it harbors diverse microbial communities that form the skin microbiota. Methods. A systematic literature review of skin microbiome changes during space flight was conducted using public electronic databases (PubMed and Scopus) selecting studies published from 2015 to 2022. The systematic review was performed according to 2020 PRISMA guidelines. Results. A total of 17 studies were collected and, after screening for inclusion and exclusion criteria, eight studies were included in this review. According to the examined literature, some skin microbiota changes seems to be only temporary, in particular Gamma- and Betaproteobacteria abundance tends to decrease, while the occurrence of the Malassezia species and Firmicutes, including Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, tends to increase. At the same time, there seems to be an exchange of microorganisms between astronauts and between the confined environment and a single astronaut, with alterations in the proportion of microorganisms maintained during the flight, in particular for species such as Corynebacterium spp., Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp. and Cloacibacterium spp. Given that skin contributes both to protecting the body from pathogen invasion and environmental changes and to maintaining human homeostasis, changes in the skin microbiota of astronauts might result in skin diseases. Discussion. The skin microbiota of astronauts seems to influence the microbial composition of the International Space Station, but further studies should be performed to better understand skin microbiota dynamics and to prevent the development of dermatologic conditions during space flight. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Space Biology)
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16 pages, 1136 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Protective Role of Neurogenetic Components in Reducing Stress-Related Effects during Spaceflights: Evidence from the Age-Related Positive Memory Approach
by Nicola Mammarella, Matteo Gatti, Irene Ceccato, Adolfo Di Crosta, Alberto Di Domenico and Rocco Palumbo
Life 2022, 12(8), 1176; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12081176 - 2 Aug 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2310
Abstract
Fighting stress-related effects during spaceflight is crucial for a successful mission. Emotional, motivational, and cognitive mechanisms have already been shown to be involved in the decrease of negative emotions. However, emerging evidence is pointing to a neurogenetic profile that may render some individuals [...] Read more.
Fighting stress-related effects during spaceflight is crucial for a successful mission. Emotional, motivational, and cognitive mechanisms have already been shown to be involved in the decrease of negative emotions. However, emerging evidence is pointing to a neurogenetic profile that may render some individuals more prone than others to focusing on positive information in memory and increasing affective health. The relevance for adaptation to the space environment and the interaction with other stressors such as ionizing radiations is discussed. In particular, to clarify this approach better, we will draw from the psychology and aging literature data. Subsequently, we report on studies on candidate genes for sensitivity to positive memories. We review work on the following candidate genes that may be crucial in adaptation mechanisms: ADRA2B, COMT, 5HTTLPR, CB1, and TOMM40. The final aim is to show how the study of genetics and cell biology of positive memory can help us to reveal the underlying bottom-up pathways to also increasing positive effects during a space mission. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Space Biology)
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