Lunar soil simulant uptake produces a concentration-dependent increase in inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in murine RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.
One of NASA's long-term objectives is to be able to stay on the moon for extended periods, and to provide a stepping-stone for future Mars explorations. The lunar soil simulant JSC-1 has been developed by NASA from volcanic ash found in Arizona to facilitate testing of toxicity and system requirements for lunar exploration. A concentration-response study of JSC-1 was undertaken on the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Results demonstrated concentrations of 50-2000 microg/ml JSC-1 induced enhanced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Data suggest that extraterrestrial regolith has the potential to induce an inflammatory response, and that future development of anti-inflammatory mitigative strategies may be necessary to counteract lunar dust-associated cellular toxicity.
Chatterjee
Anuran
A
Radiation and Space Biotechnologies Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California 94035, USA.
Wang
Angela
A
Lera
Matthew
M
Bhattacharya
Sharmila
S
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D003198:Computer Simulation; D019443:Cosmic Dust / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D051379:Mice; D016081:Moon; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013026:Space Flight
D019443:Cosmic Dust; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II