COMMERCIAL BIOMEDICAL TESTING MODULE-2: (CBTM-2)
Research Area: Animal Biology – Vertebrates
Expedition(s): 15
Principal Investigator(s): ● H.Q. Han, MD, PhD, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks,
California
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Commercial Biomedical Test Module - 2
(CBTM-2) uses a validated mouse model
to examine the effectiveness of an
experimental therapeutic as a possible
countermeasure for muscle atrophy.
EARTH BENEFITS
Muscle atrophy resulting from disuse and
reduced physical activity affects millions
of Americans particularly in the aging
population. This condition contributes to
increased bone fractures, negative
metabolic changes and decreased levels
of physical activity. Results from this
investigation could help inform the
development of potential interventions
for muscle wasting related to a range of
diseases, including cancer, kidney failure
and age-related frailty.
SPACE BENEFITS
Testing the effects of a potential countermeasure to the muscle loss that occurs during long-
duration spaceflight can potentially provide NASA with a non-exercise, therapeutic
countermeasure that helps ensure crew member health and well being.
RESULTS
During International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 15, 24 mice were flown to the ISS on shuttle
flight STS-118 in 3 Animal Enclosure Modules (AEMs). The AEMs remained on STS- 118
throughout the mission. Utilizing a tissue sharing program CBTM-2 was able to support several
additional investigations that have yielded the results below.
Expression and localization of vascular myocyte calcium release channels
Researchers found that exposure to microgravity during 8 days in the ISS decreases the
expression of the ryanodine receptor 1 (RyR1), which is a calcium release channel inside cells in
primary cultured myocytes (muscle cells) from rate hepatic portal vein. Identical results were
found in portal vein from mice exposed to microgravity during an 8-day shuttle spaceflight. To
evaluate the functional consequences of this physiological adaptation, evoked calcium signals
obtained in myocytes from hindlimb unloaded rats, in which the shift of blood pressure mimics
S118E09308 – The Commercial Biomedical Test Module -
2 (CBTM-2) hardware seen in this image flew onboard STS-
118/13A.1 in August 2007. CBTM-2 tests the effectiveness
of an experimental therapeutic as a possible
countermeasure for muscle atrophy.