Several genes related to the immune response, metabolic process, and/or inflammatory
responses were up-regulated whereas several genes involved in various metabolic and
catabolic processes were down-regulated. Two proteins, BDNF and NGF, which are involved in
learning and memory performance, ageing-related disorders, and anxiety-like behavior were
studied in the brain and adrenal gland. Expression on NGF in hippocampus, cortex, and adrenal
gland of wild type animals tended to decrease following spaceflight, but together with BDNF it
was not consistent suggesting only a transient response to spaceflight and not long-lasting
effects. On the contrary CRMP1 was up-regulated in flight samples and, since the CRMP1
deficient mice showed an impaired spatial learning and memory, memory performance may be
stimulated after spaceflight.
Exposure to space environment influenced the expression of a number of genes and proteins
in the brain that have been shown to be involved in a wide spectrum of biological function and
appears to interfere with expression of neuropeptides involved in psycho-neuro-endocrine
adaptations that should need a deeper examination in a MDS re-flight (Masini 2012).
Evaluation of long term space permanence effects on other tissues of mice exposed to space
environment for 3 months
Additional tissues are currently being processed and additional data collected by the different
Principal Investigators.
PUBLICATION(S)
Neutelings T, Nusgens B, Liu Y, et al. Skin physiology in microgravity: A 3-month stay aboard ISS
induces dermal atrophy and affects cutaneous muscle and hair follicles cycling in mice. npj
Microgravity. May 27, 2015;1:15002. doi: 10.1038/npjmgrav.2015.2.
Albi E, Curcio F, Lazzarini A, et al. How microgravity changes Galectin-3 in thyroid follicles.
BioMed Research International. 2014;2014:5. doi: 10.1155/2014/652863.
Albi E, Ambesi-Impiombato FS, Lazzarini A, et al. Reinterpretation of mouse thyroid changes
under space conditions: The contribution of confinement to damage. Astrobiology. July
2014;14:563-567. doi: 10.1089/ast.2014.1166.
Ohira T, Ohira T, Kawano T, et al. Effects of gravitational loading levels on protein expression
related to metabolic and/or morphologic properties of mouse neck muscles. Physiological
Reports. January 2014 ;2. doi: 10.1002/phy2.183.
Camerino GM, Pierno S, Liantonio A, et al. Effects of pleiotrophin overexpression on mouse
skeletal muscles in normal loading and in actual and simulated microgravity. PLOS ONE. August
28, 2013;8:e72028. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072028.
Albi E, Curcio F, Spelat R, et al. Loss of parafollicular cells during gravitational changes
(Microgravity, Hypergravity) and the secret effect of Pleiotrophin. PLOS ONE.
2012;7(12):e48518. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048518.