title: Modeled microgravity inhibits apoptosis in peripheral blood lymphocytes.
abstract: 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 microgravity (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.
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Program, Wyle Laboratories-Life Sciences, Systems and Services, Houston, Texas 77058, USA. drisin@ems.jsc.nasa.gov
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Risin
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Pellis
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D012399:Rotation; D018474:Weightlessness Simulation; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D019014:fas Receptor; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate