Articular cartilage and sternal fibrocartilage respond differently to extended microgravity

NPJ Microgravity
Jamie FitzgeraldCathleen Janowitz

Abstract

The effects of spaceflight on cartilaginous structure are largely unknown. To address this deficiency, articular cartilage (AC) and sternal cartilage (SC) from mice exposed to 30 days of microgravity on the BION-M1 craft were investigated for pathological changes. The flight AC showed some evidence of degradation at the tissue level with loss of proteoglycan staining and a reduction in mRNA expression of mechano-responsive and structural cartilage matrix proteins compared to non-flight controls. These data suggest that degradative changes are underway in the AC extracellular matrix exposed to microgravity. In contrast, there was no evidence of cartilage breakdown in SC flight samples and the gene expression profile was distinct from that of AC with a reduction in metalloproteinase gene transcription. Since the two cartilages respond differently to microgravity we propose that each is tuned to the biomechanical environments in which they are normally maintained. That is, the differences between magnitude of normal terrestrial loading and the unloading of microgravity dictates the tissue response. Weight-bearing articular cartilage, but not minimally loaded sternal fibrocartilage, is negatively affected by the unloading of microg...Continue Reading

References

Jan 1, 1989·Advances in Space Research : the Official Journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)·E A Ilyin, V S Oganov
Sep 10, 2002·Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·J A Buckwalter
Feb 13, 2003·Nucleic Acids Research·Rafael A IrizarryTerence P Speed
Dec 16, 2003·Arthritis and Rheumatism·B VanwanseeleE Stüssi
Aug 18, 2004·Current Opinion in Rheumatology·Joseph A Buckwalter, James A Martin
Dec 3, 2005·Annals of Anatomy = Anatomischer Anzeiger : Official Organ of the Anatomische Gesellschaft·Bodo KurzMichael Schünke
Mar 15, 2006·Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews·Joseph A Buckwalter, James A Martin
Dec 13, 2006·Osteoarthritis and Cartilage·G E Nugent-DerfusR L Sah
Jan 9, 2007·Critical Reviews in Biomedical Engineering·C Corey Scott, Kyriacos A Athanasiou
Jul 24, 2007·The Journal of Biological Chemistry·Jae-Sung KimJang-Soo Chun
May 6, 2008·Osteoarthritis and Cartilage·J FitzgeraldC B Little
Jan 29, 2010·Arthritis Research & Therapy·Hala ZreiqatChristopher B Little
Mar 20, 2013·Journal of Biomechanics·Z AbusaraW Herzog
Aug 19, 2014·PloS One·Alexander Andreev-AndrievskiyVladimir Sychev
Sep 4, 2014·Current Rheumatology Reports·Johannah Sanchez-AdamsFarshid Guilak
Oct 10, 2014·American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation·Serdar KesikburunArif Kenan Tan
May 25, 2015·Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·Takumi TashimaKouhei Tsumoto

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Mar 11, 2020·Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology·Peta BradburyJoshua Chou

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
in vitro transcription

Software Mentioned

Microarray Suite ( MAS )

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.