Modeled Microgravity Inhibits Apoptosis in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes

• Published in: In vitro cellular & developmental biology. Animal Vol. 37; no. 2; pp. 66 - 72
• Main Authors: Diana Risin, Pellis, Neal R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Legacy CDMS Society for In Vitro Biology 01-02-2001
• Subjects: Aerospace Medicine; Antigens; Apoptosis; Cell culture techniques; Cell Culture Techniques - methods; Cultured cells; Fas Ligand Protein; fas Receptor - analysis; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; Fluorescent Dyes; Gamma Rays; Humans; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphocytes; Lymphocytes - immunology; Lymphocytes - physiology; Membrane Glycoproteins - analysis; Microgravity; Microscopy, Electron; Molecules; NASA Biotechnology: Cell Science in Microgravity; Physiological regulation; Phytohemagglutinins - pharmacology; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - analysis; Receptors; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell - immunology; Rotation; Space life sciences; T lymphocytes; Weightlessness Simulation; Non-Nasa Center; Nasa Discipline Cell Biology; NASA Discipline Cell Biology; Non-NASA Center
• ISSN: 1071-2690; 1543-706X
• DOI: 10.1290/1071-2690(2001)037(0066:MMIAIP)2.0.CO;2

Microgravity interferes with numerous lymphocyte functions (expression of cell surface molecules, locomotion, polyclonal and antigen-specific activation, and the protein kinase C activity in signal transduction). The latter suggests that gravity may also affect programmed cell death (PCD) in lymphocyte populations. To test this hypothesis, we investigated spontaneous, activation- and radiation-induced PCD in peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed to modeled micro-gravity (MMG) using a rotating cell culture system. The results showed significant inhibition of radiation- and activation-induced apoptosis in MMG and provide insights into the potential mechanisms of this phenomenon.