Weightlessness affects cytoskeleton of rat utricular hair cells during maturation in vitro.
The aim of this study was to investigate whether an altered gravitational environment affected the phenotype of vestibular hair cells during maturation. We developed, using an automated incubator, a 3D culture of utricles from newborn rats. These cultures were subjected to weightlessness for 1 or 3 days, and then compared with control cultures developed in natural and induced 1G gravity. Immunocytochemistry for alpha-tubulin and calretinin revealed disorganisation of the microtubules and a loss of hair cell shape in cells subjected to weightlessness during maturation. We conclude that the lack of gravitational strain affected cytoskeletal dynamics, resulting in loss of the specific morphological phenotype of the cells.
Gaboyard
Sophie
S
INSERM U432, Université Montpellier II, 34095 Montpellier, France. gaboyard@univ-montp2.fr
Blanchard
Marie-Pierre
MP
Travo
Cécile
C
Viso
Michel
M
Sans
Alain
A
Lehouelleur
Jacques
J
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D064032:Calbindin 2; D046508:Culture Techniques; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D010641:Phenotype; D051381:Rats; D064030:S100 Calcium Binding Protein G / Q000032:analysis; D012444:Saccule and Utricle / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000473:pathology*; D014404:Tubulin / Q000032:analysis; D014893:Weightlessness
C576512:Calb2 protein, rat; D064032:Calbindin 2; D064030:S100 Calcium Binding Protein G; D014404:Tubulin