title: Three-dimensional growth of human endothelial cells in an automated cell culture experiment container during the SpaceX CRS-8 ISS space mission - The SPHEROIDS project.
abstract: Human endothelial cells (ECs) were sent to the International Space Station (ISS) to determine the impact of microgravity on the formation of three-dimensional structures. For this project, an automatic experiment unit (EU) was designed allowing cell culture in space. In order to enable a safe cell culture, cell nourishment and fixation after a pre-programmed timeframe, the materials used for construction of the EUs were tested in regard to their biocompatibility. These tests revealed a high biocompatibility for all parts of the EUs, which were in contact with the cells or the medium used. Most importantly, we found polyether ether ketones for surrounding the incubation chamber, which kept cellular viability above 80% and allowed the cells to adhere as long as they were exposed to normal gravity. After assembling the EU the ECs were cultured therein, where they showed good cell viability at least for 14 days. In addition, the functionality of the automatic medium exchange, and fixation procedures were confirmed. Two days before launch, the ECs were cultured in the EUs, which were afterwards mounted on the SpaceX CRS-8 rocket. 5 and 12 days after launch the cells were fixed. Subsequent analyses revealed a scaffold-free formation of spheroids in space.
authors.affiliation: Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke University Clinic, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pietsch
authors.affiliation: RUAG Space, RUAG Schweiz AG, Nyon, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gass
authors.affiliation: RUAG Space, RUAG Schweiz AG, Nyon, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nebuloni
authors.affiliation: Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke University Clinic, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Echegoyen
authors.affiliation: Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke University Clinic, Magdeburg, Germany; Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Riwaldt
authors.affiliation: Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke University Clinic, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baake
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany.
authors.forename: Johann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Corydon
authors.affiliation: Luzerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts - School of Engineering & Architecture, Hergiswil, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Egli
authors.affiliation: Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke University Clinic, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Infanger
authors.affiliation: Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke University Clinic, Magdeburg, Germany; Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark. Electronic address: dgg@biomed.au.dk.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grimm
mesh_terms: D061249:Batch Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation; D013026:Space Flight / Q000295:instrumentation*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014893:Weightlessness
keywords: Automated experiment container; Biocompatibility test; Endothelial cells; Experiment sequence test; International space station; Science validation test