title: Impact of Simulated Microgravity on Cytoskeleton and Viscoelastic Properties of Endothelial Cell.
abstract: This study focused on the effects of simulated microgravity (s-μg) on mechanical properties, major cytoskeleton biopolymers, and morphology of endothelial cells (ECs). The structural and functional integrity of ECs are vital to regulate vascular homeostasis and prevent atherosclerosis. Furthermore, these highly gravity sensitive cells play a key role in pathogenesis of many diseases. In this research, impacts of s-μg on mechanical behavior of human umbilical vein endothelial cells were investigated by utilizing a three-dimensional random positioning machine (3D-RPM). Results revealed a considerable drop in cell stiffness and viscosity after 24 hrs of being subjected to weightlessness. Cortical rigidity experienced relatively immediate and significant decline comparing to the stiffness of whole cell body. The cells became rounded in morphology while western blot analysis showed reduction of the main cytoskeletal components. Moreover, fluorescence staining confirmed disorganization of both actin filaments and microtubules (MTs). The results were compared statistically among test and control groups and it was concluded that s-μg led to a significant alteration in mechanical behavior of ECs due to remodeling of cell cytoskeleton.
authors: , Canada.|Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Janmaleki
authors: Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Pachenari
authors: Chair of Mechanics - Structural Analysis - Dynamics, Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, TU Dortmund, Germany.
authors: S M
authors: SM
authors: Seyedpour
authors: Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Shahghadami
authors: , Canada.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Sanati-Nezhad
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D048430:Cell Shape; D004548:Elasticity; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014783:Viscosity; D018474:Weightlessness Simulation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods