Cytoskeleton Markers in the Spinal Cord and Mechanoreceptors of Thick-Toed Geckos after Prolonged Space Flights

Abstract

Spaceflight may cause hypogravitational motor syndrome (HMS). However, the role of the nervous system in the formation of HMS remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of space flights on the cytoskeleton of the neuronal and glial cells in the spinal cord and mechanoreceptors in the toes of thick-toed geckos (Chondrodactylus turneri GRAY, 1864). Thick-toed geckos are able to maintain attachment and natural locomotion in weightlessness. Different types of mechanoreceptors have been described in the toes of geckos. After flight, neurofilament 200 immunoreactivity in mechanoreceptors was lower than in control. In some motor neurons of flight geckos, nonspecific pathomorphological changes were observed, but they were also detected in the control. No signs of gliosis were detected after spaceflight. Cytoskeleton markers adequately reflect changes in the cells of the nervous system. We suggest that geckos’ adhesion is controlled by the nervous system. Our study revealed no significant disturbances in the morphology of the spinal cord after the prolonged space flight, supporting the hypothesis that geckos compensate the alterations, characteristic for other mammals in weightlessness, by tactile stimulation.

The 2022 Lady Estelle Wolfson lectureship on neurofilaments

“…There is experimental evidence for space flight inducing a decrease in Nf immunoreactivity in mechanoreceptors (Proshchina et al, 2022). This observation has been linked to the hypogravitatational motor syndrome (HMS), a subform of the space adaptation syndrome (SAS).…”

“…This observation has been linked to the hypogravitatational motor syndrome (HMS), a subform of the space adaptation syndrome (SAS). Neuronal and axonal changes to the staining pattern for NfH were observed already within 12 days after space flight (Proshchina et al, 2022). Interestingly, space flight also changes the gene for NfL in plants ( Arabidopsis ) (Shymanovich et al, 2022).…”

“…The group average remains within the normal range and it remains to be seen if the small variation over time of 3.8–5.8 pg/ml are over and above to what can be expected from physiological variation of between days 6.6 pg/ml (range 2.6–17.5) or variation within the same day averaging at 7 pg/ml (Hviid et al, 2021). Therefore, future, prospective, longitudinal studies are required to answer if these observations are caused by brain injury (Eulenburg et al, 2021), changes to Nf gene expression (Shymanovich et al, 2022), or release of Nf proteins from the periphery (Proshchina et al, 2022).…”

Omics Studies of Tumor Cells under Microgravity Conditions

“…As a result, we are expanding our knowledge more and more about the stay and its effects on humans, animals, microorganisms, bacteria, and cells in space. Simulation experiments and tests in real microgravity (parabolic flights, sounding rocket missions, American Shuttle flights, Russian long-term Foton or Bion and Chinese Shenzhou missions, short-and longterm stays on space stations (Mir, ISS, Chinese space station)) have already increased our knowledge about the dangers of microgravity, cosmic radiation, and other stress factors occurring during and after space missions [238][239][240][241][242][243][244][245][246][247][248][249][250][251][252].…”