title: Lung cancer stem cell lose their stemness default state after exposure to microgravity.
abstract: Microgravity influences cell differentiation by modifying the morphogenetic field in which stem cells are embedded. Preliminary data showed indeed that stem cells are committed to selective differentiation when exposed to real or simulated microgravity. Our study provides evidence that a similar event occurs when cancer stem cells (CSCs) are cultured in microgravity. In the same time, a significant increase in apoptosis was recorded: those data point out that microgravity rescues CSCs from their relative quiescent state, inducing CSCs to lose their stemness features, as documented by the decrease in ALDH and the downregulation of both Nanog and Oct-4 genes. Those traits were stably acquired and preserved by CSCs when cells were placed again on a 1 g field. Studies conducted in microgravity on CSCs may improve our understanding of the fundamental role exerted by biophysical forces in cancer cell growth and function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy ; Department of Surgery "P.Valdoni," Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Pisanu
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery "P.Valdoni," Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy ; Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noto
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery "P.Valdoni," Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy ; IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Vitis
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery "P.Valdoni," Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy ; Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Masiello
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery "P.Valdoni," Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Pierpaolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Coluccia
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery "P.Valdoni," Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Proietti
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy ; Azienda Ospedaliera S. Andrea, 00189 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Rosaria
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Giovagnoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy ; Azienda Ospedaliera S. Andrea, 00189 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy ; Azienda Ospedaliera S. Andrea, 00189 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giarnieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery "P.Valdoni," Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cucina
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ciliberto
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bizzarri
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery "P.Valdoni," Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy ; Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy ; Azienda Ospedaliera S. Andrea, 00189 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mancini
mesh_terms: D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002453:Cell Cycle; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D057075:Enzyme Assays; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D018874:Spheroids, Cellular / Q000473:pathology; D014893:Weightlessness
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase