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Modeled Microgravity Affects Fibroblast Functions Related to Wound Healing

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Abstract

Wound healing is crucial for the survival of an organism. Therefore, in the perspective of space exploration missions, it is important to understand if and how microgravity conditions affect the behavior of the cell populations involved in wound healing and the evolution of the process. Since fibroblasts are the major players in tissue repair, this study was focused on the behavior of fibroblasts in microgravity conditions, modeled by a RCCS. Cell cytoskeleton was studied by immunofluorescence microscopy, the ability to migrate was assessed by microchemotaxis and scratch assay, and the expression of markers of fibroblast activation, angiogenesis, and inflammation was assessed by western blot. Results revealed that after cell exposure to modeled microgravity conditions, a thorough rearrangement of microtubules occurred and α-SMA bundles were replaced by a tight network of faulty and disorganized filaments. Exposure to modeled microgravity induced a decrease in α-SMA and E-CAD expressions. Also, the expression of the pro-angiogenic protein VEGF decreased, while that of the inflammatory signal COX-2 increased. Fibroblast ability to adhere, migrate, and respond to chemoattractants (PRP), closely related to cytoskeleton integrity and membrane junctions, was significantly impaired. Nevertheless, PRP was able to partially restore fibroblast migration.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Italian Space Agency (Tissue Repair in Microgravity ASI N. 2013-090-R.O). The technical support of Dr Valerio Ciccone, Univ. of Siena, is kindly acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ASAcampus Joint Laboratory, ASA Research Division, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Viale G. Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy

    Francesca Cialdai, Leonardo Vignali & Monica Monici

  2. Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy

    Lucia Morbidelli

  3. Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milano, Italy

    Alessandra Colciago & Fabio Celotti

  4. Section of Biochemistry, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134, Florence, Italy

    Alice Santi, Anna Caselli & Paolo Cirri

Authors
  1. Francesca Cialdai
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  2. Leonardo Vignali
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  3. Lucia Morbidelli
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  4. Alessandra Colciago
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  5. Fabio Celotti
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  6. Alice Santi
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  7. Anna Caselli
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  8. Paolo Cirri
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  9. Monica Monici
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Monica Monici.

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This article belongs to the Topical Collection: Advances in gravity-related phenomena in biological, chemical and physical systems

Guest Editors: Valentina Shevtsova, Ruth Hemmersbach

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Cialdai, F., Vignali, L., Morbidelli, L. et al. Modeled Microgravity Affects Fibroblast Functions Related to Wound Healing. Microgravity Sci. Technol. 29, 121–132 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12217-016-9532-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12217-016-9532-7

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