Activation of Immediate Early Respose Genes in Mouse Brain Induced by Simulated Microgravity
- Paper number
IAC-05-A1.4.09
- Author
Dr. Govindarajan Ramesh, Texas Southern University, United States
- Coauthor
Ms. Kimberly Wise, Texas Southern University, United States
- Coauthor
Ms. Vani Ramesh, The University of Texas Health Science center, Medical School and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Keiko Yamauchi, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Bobby Wilson, Texas Southern University, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Renard Thomas, Texas Southern University, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Anil Kulkarni, The University of Texas Health Science center, Medical School and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Neal R. Pellis, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Johnson Space Center, United States
- Year
2005
- Abstract
Microgravity induces inflammatory response and also modulates immune functions, which may increase oxidative stress. Exposure to the microgravity environment induces adverse neurological effects. However, there is little research exploring the etiology of neurological effects of exposure to this environment. To explore this area we evaluated changes in Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), Gutathione levels (GSH), Nuclear Transcription Factor kappa B (NF- kappaB), Activator Protein 1, and Mitogen Activating Protein Kinase Kinase (MAPKK) exposed to a simulated microgravity environment using the hindlimb unloading model. BALB/c male mice were randomly assigned to hindlimb unloading group (n=12) and control group (n=12) to simulate a microgravity environment, for 7 days. Changes were observed in ROS, GSH and lipid peroxidation with fluorometric assays and NF- kappaB, AP-1 and MAPKK with electrophorectic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and western blot analysis compared to unexposed brain regions. Hindlimb unloading exposed mice showed significant increases in generated ROS in the frontal cortex and brain stem regions as compared to the control brain regions. Hindlimb unloading exposed mice also showed significant decreases in GSH in the frontal cortex and brainstem. Lipid peroxidation results showed significant increases in all regions of the brain tested vs. the control. NF- kappaB, has been shown effect oxidative stress related to toxicity and MAPKK has a role in cell proliferation and signal transduction. We studied their expression in simulated microgravity and observed activation of NF- kappaB, AP-1 and MAPKK in all brain regions exposed. Results suggest that exposure to simulated microgravity can induce expression of certain transcription factors and protein kinases.
- Abstract document