UTILIZATION OF STEM CELL RESEARCH IN MICROGRAVITY FOR INNOVATION IN CELLULAR THERAPY ON EARTH
Downloads
Recent advancements in stem cell biology, coupled with developments in space exploration, have opened new avenues for regenerative medicine. Microgravity environments in space induce significant physiological changes in the human body, such as muscle atrophy, decreased bone density, and immune system impairments, mimicking accelerated aging and chronic disease progression. These conditions offer a unique opportunity to study stem cell behavior, proliferation, and differentiation, which occur at a faster pace in space compared to Earth. The three-dimensional (3D) microgravity environment provides a more accurate representation of the human body’s natural state than traditional two-dimensional culture systems, fostering enhanced stem cell development. Among the various stem cells studied in space, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown promise for therapeutic applications, including the treatment of stroke, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Research aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has demonstrated that MSCs maintain their properties, proliferate, and differentiate under microgravity conditions, offering potential for future therapies. Additionally, MSCs exhibit resistance to space radiation, protecting astronauts from its harmful effects by promoting tissue repair and releasing regenerative factors. This radiation resistance, coupled with cryopreservation techniques, enables MSCs to be used in long-duration space missions. The ongoing research on MSCs in space not only supports astronaut health but also holds the potential to revolutionize regenerative medicine on Earth. By understanding how microgravity influences stem cell behavior, scientists are uncovering critical insights into tissue repair and cell function, paving the way for innovative treatments for aging-related diseases and other medical conditions. These findings highlight the broader implications of space-based stem cell research for advancing human health both in space and on Earth.
Ankrum, J. A., Ong, J. F. and Karp, J. M. (2014), “Mesenchymal stem cells: immune evasive, not immune privileged”, Nature Biotechnology, Vol. 32 No. 3, pp. 252-60.
Baio, J., Martinez, A. F., Silva, I., Hoehn, C. V., Countryman, S., Bailey, L., Hasaniya, N., Pecaut, M. J. and Kearns-Joker, M. (2018), “Cardiovascular progenitor cells cultured aboard the International Space Station exhibit altered developmental and functional properties”, NPJ Microgravity, Vol. 4, pp. 13.
Blaber, E. A., Finkelstein, H., Dvorochkin, N., Sato, K. Y., Yousuf, R., Burns, B. P., Globus, R. K. and Almeida, E. A. C. (2015), “Microgravity Reduces the Differentiation and Regenerative Potential of Embryonic Stem Cells”, Stem Cells and Development, Vol. 24 No. 22, pp. 2605-21.
Caplan, H., Olson, S. D., Kumar, A., George, M., Prabhakara, K. S., Wenzel, P., Bedi, S., Toledano-Furman, N. E., Triolo, F., Kamhieh-Milz, J., Moll, G. and Jr, C. S. C. (2019), “Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapeutic Delivery: Translational Challenges to Clinical Application”, Frontiers in Immunology, Vol. 10.
Chen, C. M., Hu, Z. G., Liu, S. B. and Tseng, H. (2012), “Emerging trends in regenerative medicine: a scientometric analysis in CiteSpace”, Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy, Vol. 12 No. 5, pp. 593-608.
Chinnadurai, R., Bates, P. D., Kunugi, K. A., Nickel, K. P., DeWerd, L. A., Capitini, C. M., Galipeau, J. and Kimple, R. J. (2021), “Dichotomic Potency of IFNγ Licensed Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Animal Models of Acute Radiation Syndrome and Graft Versus Host Disease”, Frontiers in Immunology, Vol. 12.
Chinnadurai, R., Forsberg, M. H., Kink, J. A., Hematti, P. and Capitini, C. M. (2020), “Use of MSCs and MSC-educated macrophages to mitigate hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome”, Current Stem Cell Reports, Vol. 6 No. 3, pp. 77-85.
Doorn, J., Moll, G., Blanc, K. L., van Blitterswijk, C. and de Boer, J. (2012), “Therapeutic applications of mesenchymal stromal cells: paracrine effects and potential improvements”, Tissue Engineering, Vol. 18 No. 2, pp. 101-15.
Ghani, F. and Zubair, A. C. (2024), “Discoveries from human stem cell research in space that are relevant to advancing cellular therapies on Earth”, NP Microgravity, Vol. 10 No. 1, pp. 88.
Giri, J. and Galipeau, J. (2020), “Mesenchymal stromal cell therapeutic potency is dependent upon viability, route of delivery, and immune match”, Blood Advances, Vol. 4 No. 9, pp. 1987—97.
Giri, J. and Moll, G. (2022), “MSCs in Space: Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapeutics as Enabling Technology for Long-Distance Manned Space Travel”, Current Stem Cell Reports, Vol. 8, pp. 1-13.
Huang, P., Russell, A. L., Lefavor, R., Durand, N. C., James, E., Harvey, L., Zhang, C., Countryman, S., Stodieck, L. and Zubair, A. C. (2020), “Feasibility, potency, and safety of growing human mesenchymal stem cells in space for clinical application”, NPJ Microgravity, Vol. 6.
Imura, T., Otsuka, T., Kawahara Y. and Yuge, L. (2019), ““Microgravity” as a unique and useful stem cell culture environment for cell-based therapy”, Regenerative Therapy, Vol. 12, pp. 2-5.
Jha, R., Wu, Q., Singh, M., Preininger, M. K., Han, P., Ding, G., Cho, H. C., Jo, H., Maher, K. O., Wagner, M. B. and Xu, C. (2016), “Simulated Microgravity and 3D Culture Enhance Induction, Viability, Proliferation and Differentiation of Cardiac Progenitors from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells”, Scientific Reports, Vol. 6.
Li, J., Kwong, D. L. W. and Chan, G. C. (2007), “The effects of various irradiation doses on the growth and differentiation of marrow-derived human mesenchymal stromal cells”, Pediatric Transplantation, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 379-87.
Ma, C., Duan, X. and Lei, X. (2023), “3D cell culture model: From ground experiment to microgravity study”, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Vol. 11.
Moll, G., Ankrum, J. A., Kamhieh-Milz, J., Bieback, K., Ringdén, O., Volk, H., Geissler, S. and Reinke, P. (2019), “Intravascular Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cell Therapy Product Diversification: Time for New Clinical Guidelines”, Trends in Molecular Medicine, Vol. 25 No. 2, pp. 149-163.
Moll, G., Ankrum, J. A., Olson, S. D. and Nolta, J. A. (2022), “Improved MSC Minimal Criteria to Maximize Patient Safety: A Call to Embrace Tissue Factor and Hemocompatibility Assessment of MSC Products”, Stem Cells Translational Medicine, Vol. 11 No. 1, pp. 2-13.
Moll, G., Drzeniek, N., Kamhieh-Milz, J., Geissler, S., Volk, H. and Reinke, P. (2020), “MSC Therapies for COVID-19: Importance of Patient Coagulopathy, Thromboprophylaxis, Cell Product Quality and Mode of Delivery for Treatment Safety and Efficacy”, Frontiers in Immunology, Vol. 11, pp. 1091.
Moll, G., Geißler, S., Catar, R., Ignatowicz, L., Hoogduijn, M. J., Strunk, D., Bieback, K. and Ringdén, O. (2016), “Cryopreserved or Fresh Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: Only a Matter of Taste or Key to Unleash the Full Clinical Potential of MSC Therapy?”, Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, Vol. 951, pp. 77-98.
Nicolay, N. H., Perez, R. L., Saffrich, R. and Huber, P. E. (2015), “Radio-resistant mesenchymal stem cells: mechanisms of resistance and potential implications for the clinic”, Oncotarget, Vol. 6 No. 23, pp. 19366-80.
Nicolay, N. H., Sommer, E., Lopez, R., Wirkner, U., Trinh, T., Sisombath, S., Debus, J., Ho, A. D., Saffrich, R. and Huber, P. E. (2013), “Mesenchymal stem cells retain their defining stem cell characteristics after exposure to ionizing radiation”, International Journal of Radiation, Oncoly, Biology, Physics, Vol. 87 No. 5, pp. 1171-8.
Park, Y., Huh, K. M. and Kang, S. (2021), “Applications of Biomaterials in 3D Cell Culture and Contributions of 3D Cell Culture to Drug Development and Basic Biomedical Research”, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol. 22 No. 5, pp. 2491.
Rampoldi, A., Forghani, P., Li, D., Hwang, H., Armand, L. C., Fite, J., Boland, G., Maxwell, J., Maher, K. and Xu, C. (2022), “Space microgravity improves proliferation of human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes”, Stem Cell Reports, Vol. 17 No. 10, pp. 2272-2285.
Sugrue, T., Lowndes, N. F. and Ceredig, R. (2014), “Hypoxia enhances the radioresistance of mouse mesenchymal stromal cells”, Stem Cells, Vol. 32 No. 8, pp. 2188-200.
Wang, K., Cui, W., Yang, X., Tao, A., Lan, T., Li, T., and Luo, L. (2021), “Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Mitigating Radiotherapy Side Effects”, Cells, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 294.
Yuge, L., Kajiume, T., Tahara, H., Kawahara, Y., Umeda, C., Yoshimoto, R., Wu, S., Yamaoka, K., Asashima, M., Kataoka, K. and Ide, T. (2006), “Microgravity potentiates stem cell proliferation while sustaining the capability of differentiation”, Stem Cells and Development, Vol. 15 No. 6, pp. 921-9.
Zubair, A. (2020), “Studying stem cells in space for the benefit of humankind on Earth and beyond”.
Copyright (c) 2024 Hendrizal, Dahlan, Gower
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
1. The journal allows the author to hold the copyright of the article without restrictions.
2. The journal allows the author(s) to retain publishing rights without ristrictions.
3. The legal formal aspect of journal publication accessibility refers to Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY).
