“The fact that these cells survived in space was a big surprise,” said molecular biologist Jeanne Loring of the Scripps Research Institute. “This study paves the way for new experiments to examine other brain regions affected by neurodegenerative diseases.” Organoids are defined as three-dimensional cell groups obtained directly from tissue or stem cells that can self-renew and perform organ functions.
Organoids are structurally and functionally similar to the tissue from which they were obtained.
THE INTERSECTION OF SPACE AND HEALTH RESEARCH
The International Space Station provides a unique opportunity to study the effects of microgravity on human cells.
These effects are of great importance not only for the health of astronauts but also for medical research on Earth. The microgravity environment opens new doors in disease modeling and drug development studies. The team, led by molecular biologist Davide Marotta of the ISS National Laboratory, set out to investigate how nerve cells specifically linked to neurodegenerative diseases are affected in microgravity.
In the research, cells taken from healthy individuals and people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease were reprogrammed in the laboratory and transformed into nerve cells. These cells formed organoids containing microglia, the brain’s immune system cells.
While some of the organoids were left on Earth, the other part was sent to the ISS in special cryo tubes.
Organoids brought back after a month in space were compared with a control group on Earth.
FAST MATURATION, LOW STRESS LEVELS
It was found that organoids grown in space matured faster, but cell proliferation was slower. They also observed lower expression of stress-related genes and lower-than-expected inflammation compared to organoids on Earth.
It is thought that this may be due to the microgravity environment being closer to the conditions in the human skull. “In space, these organoids look more like the brain,” Loring said. “They create their own microcosms,” he added.
NEW HORIZONS FOR FUTURE STUDIES
The researchers stated that the next goal is to examine the brain regions most affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, new experiments are planned to understand how nerve cells connect with each other in space.
“In these types of studies, we cannot predict results based on previous research,” Loring said. We are literally at the starting point; “We are in the sky, but we are still at the basic stage,” he said.
The results of the research were published in the journal Stem Cells Translational Medicine.
