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Spaceflight alters microtubules and increases apoptosis in human lymphocytes (Jurkat)Alteration in cytoskeletal organization appears to underlie mechanisms of gravity sensitivity in space-flown cells. Human T lymphoblastoid cells (Jurkat) were flown on the Space Shuttle to test the hypothesis that growth responsiveness is associated with microtubule anomalies and mediated by apoptosis. Cell growth was stimulated in microgravity by increasing serum concentration. After 4 and 48 h, cells filtered from medium were fixed with formalin. Post-flight, confocal microscopy revealed diffuse, shortened microtubules extending from poorly defined microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs). In comparable ground controls, discrete microtubule filaments radiated from organized MTOCs and branched toward the cell membrane. At 4 h, 30% of flown, compared to 17% of ground, cells showed DNA condensation characteristic of apoptosis. Time-dependent increase of the apoptosis-associated Fas/ APO-1 protein in static flown, but not the in-flight 1 g centrifuged or ground controls, confirmed microgravity-associated apoptosis. By 48 h, ground cultures had increased by 40%. Flown populations did not increase, though some cells were cycling and actively metabolizing glucose. We conclude that cytoskeletal alteration, growth retardation, and metabolic changes in space-flown lymphocytes are concomitant with increased apoptosis and time-dependent elevation of Fas/APO-1 protein. We suggest that reduced growth response in lymphocytes during spaceflight is linked to apoptosis.
Document ID
20040172591
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Lewis, M. L.
(University of Alabama in Huntsville, Microgravity Biotechnology Laboratory 35899, United States)
Reynolds, J. L.
Cubano, L. A.
Hatton, J. P.
Lawless, B. D.
Piepmeier, E. H.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1998
Publication Information
Publication: The FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Volume: 12
Issue: 11
ISSN: 0892-6638
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
STS-76 Shuttle Project
Flight Experiment
Non-NASA Center
NASA Discipline Cell Biology
short duration
manned

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