Exposed to Microgravity (PKinase) Mechanisms and Functional Consequences of Protein Kinase C Isoform Translocation in Monocytes
TRANSLOCATION IN MONOCYTES EXPOSED TO MICROGRAVITY (PKINASE)
Research Area: Cellular Biology
Expedition(s): 16
Principal Investigator(s): ● Millie Hughes-Fulford, PhD, University of California, San
Francisco, California
● Jack J.W.A. van Loon, Free University, Amsterdam,
Netherlands
● Isabelle Walther, PhD, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology,
Space Biology, Zurich, Switzerland
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The Mechanisms and Functional Consequences of Protein Kinase C Isoform Translocation in
Monocytes Exposed to Microgravity (PKinase) investigates the effects of microgravity on the
development of monocytes (infection-fighting white blood cells) into macrophages. Since all
terrestrial life began in a gravity field, this study examines alterations of early T-cell activation,
whereby microgravity gives us the unique opportunity to examine the role of Earth's gravity in
immune function. The PKinase study shows the regulation of the earliest signals that cause the
T cell to activate and the role of normal Earth’s gravity in that signaling. PKinase helps scientists
understand the immune-suppression that occurs during spaceflight and can facilitate the
development of preventive and corrective measures for long duration missions.
EARTH BENEFITS
Since all terrestrial life began in a gravity field, this study examines alterations of early T-cell
activation, whereby microgravity gives us the unique opportunity to examine the role of Earth’s
gravity in immune function. The PKinase study shows the regulation of the earliest signals that
cause the T cell to activate and the role of normal Earth's gravity in that signaling.
SPACE BENEFITS
PKinase helps scientists understand the
immunosuppression that occurs during
spaceflight and can facilitate the development
of preventive and corrective measures for
long-duration missions.RESULTS
PKC activation was conducted using phorbol
12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) under normal and
altered gravity in the PKinase experiment on
the International Space Station. Examination
of differentiation of monocytes under real
microgravity and normal gravity showed significant changes in the molecular function gene
expression during early signaling as well as in expression of differentiation of the monocyte.
PKinase inside the transportable Kubik incubator. ESA
image.