Spaceflight causes strain-dependent gene expression changes in the kidneys of mice
Abstract Incidence of kidney stones in astronauts is a major risk factor associated with long-term missions, caused by increased blood calcium levels due to bone demineralisation triggered by microgravity and space radiation. Transcriptomic changes have been observed in tissues during spaceflight, i...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-03-01
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| Series: | npj Microgravity |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-025-00465-0 |
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| _version_ | 1850183919954034688 |
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| author | Rebecca H. Finch Geraldine Vitry Keith Siew Stephen B. Walsh Afshin Beheshti Gary Hardiman Willian A. da Silveira |
| author_facet | Rebecca H. Finch Geraldine Vitry Keith Siew Stephen B. Walsh Afshin Beheshti Gary Hardiman Willian A. da Silveira |
| author_sort | Rebecca H. Finch |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Incidence of kidney stones in astronauts is a major risk factor associated with long-term missions, caused by increased blood calcium levels due to bone demineralisation triggered by microgravity and space radiation. Transcriptomic changes have been observed in tissues during spaceflight, including the kidney. We analysed kidney transcriptome patterns in two different strains of mice flown on the International Space Station, C57BL/6J and BALB/c. Here we show a link between spaceflight and transcriptome patterns associated with dysregulation of lipid and extracellular matrix metabolism and altered transforming growth factor-beta signalling. A stronger response was seen in C57BL/6J mice than BALB/c. Genetic differences in hyaluronan metabolism between strains may confer protection against extracellular matrix remodelling through the downregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. We intend for our findings to contribute to the development of new countermeasures against kidney disease in astronauts and people here on Earth. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-847bf1ff96af4e59bd160a72dbbdd9e6 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2373-8065 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Microgravity |
| spelling | doaj-art-847bf1ff96af4e59bd160a72dbbdd9e62025-08-20T02:17:10ZengNature Portfolionpj Microgravity2373-80652025-03-0111111010.1038/s41526-025-00465-0Spaceflight causes strain-dependent gene expression changes in the kidneys of miceRebecca H. Finch0Geraldine Vitry1Keith Siew2Stephen B. Walsh3Afshin Beheshti4Gary Hardiman5Willian A. da Silveira6 University of Staffordshire, Department of Sports and Science, School of Health, Education, Policing and Sciences, Science Centre University of Staffordshire, Department of Sports and Science, School of Health, Education, Policing and Sciences, Science CentreLondon Tubular Centre, Department of Renal Medicine, University College LondonLondon Tubular Centre, Department of Renal Medicine, University College LondonCenter for Space Biomedicine, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Surgery, University of PittsburghFaculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS), School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast University of Staffordshire, Department of Sports and Science, School of Health, Education, Policing and Sciences, Science CentreAbstract Incidence of kidney stones in astronauts is a major risk factor associated with long-term missions, caused by increased blood calcium levels due to bone demineralisation triggered by microgravity and space radiation. Transcriptomic changes have been observed in tissues during spaceflight, including the kidney. We analysed kidney transcriptome patterns in two different strains of mice flown on the International Space Station, C57BL/6J and BALB/c. Here we show a link between spaceflight and transcriptome patterns associated with dysregulation of lipid and extracellular matrix metabolism and altered transforming growth factor-beta signalling. A stronger response was seen in C57BL/6J mice than BALB/c. Genetic differences in hyaluronan metabolism between strains may confer protection against extracellular matrix remodelling through the downregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. We intend for our findings to contribute to the development of new countermeasures against kidney disease in astronauts and people here on Earth.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-025-00465-0 |
| spellingShingle | Rebecca H. Finch Geraldine Vitry Keith Siew Stephen B. Walsh Afshin Beheshti Gary Hardiman Willian A. da Silveira Spaceflight causes strain-dependent gene expression changes in the kidneys of mice npj Microgravity |
| title | Spaceflight causes strain-dependent gene expression changes in the kidneys of mice |
| title_full | Spaceflight causes strain-dependent gene expression changes in the kidneys of mice |
| title_fullStr | Spaceflight causes strain-dependent gene expression changes in the kidneys of mice |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spaceflight causes strain-dependent gene expression changes in the kidneys of mice |
| title_short | Spaceflight causes strain-dependent gene expression changes in the kidneys of mice |
| title_sort | spaceflight causes strain dependent gene expression changes in the kidneys of mice |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-025-00465-0 |
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