Cell Responses to Simulated Microgravity and Hydrodynamic Stress Can Be Distinguished by Comparative Transcriptomics

The human immune system is compromised in microgravity (MG) conditions during an orbital flight and upon return to Earth. T cells are critical for the response execute their functions via actin-mediated cell-cell interactions that could be disturbed by MG conditions. In our study, we have applied two conventional platforms simulate conditions: fast rotating clinostat (CL) random positioning machine (RPM), followed global cell transcriptome analysis using RNA sequencing. Noteworthily, both selected rotational simulated employ forced movement cultural medium expose shear forces, therefore inducing certain hydrodynamic stress. We demonstrate profile treatment was clearly distinguishable from stress (HS). Gene expression profiling of genes related or involved actin cytoskeleton networks RT-qPCR confirmed sets differentially regulated HS. Several key potentially gravisensing (Fam163b, Dnph1, Trim34, Upk-1b) were identified. A number candidate biomarker (VAV1, VAV2, VAV3, NFATC2) HS (ITGAL, ITGB1, ITGB2, RAC1, RAC2) used distinguish between these processes on gene transcription level. Together, induces changes overall cells, leading specific shifts cytoskeletal network genes.