<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>As considerations are being made for the limitations and safety of long-term human spaceflight, the vasculature is important given its connection to and impact on numerous organ systems. As a major constituent of blood vessels, vascular smooth muscle cells are of interest due to their influence over vascular tone and function. Additionally, vascular smooth muscle cells are responsive to pressure and flow changes. Therefore, alterations in these parameters under conditions of microgravity can be functionally disruptive. As such, here we review and discuss the existing literature that assesses the effects of microgravity, both actual and simulated, on smooth muscle cells. This includes the various methods for achieving or simulating microgravity, the animal models or cells used, and the various durations of microgravity assessed. We also discuss the various reported findings in the field, which include changes to cell proliferation, gene expression and phenotypic shifts, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and Ca<sup>2+</sup> signaling. Additionally, we briefly summarize the literature on smooth muscle tissue engineering in microgravity as well as considerations of radiation as another key component of spaceflight to contextualize spaceflight experiments, which by their nature include radiation exposure. Finally, we provide general recommendations based on the existing literature's focus and limitations.</p>
</abstract>

As considerations are being made for the limitations and safety of long-term human spaceflight, the vasculature is important given its connection to and impact on numerous organ systems. As a major constituent of blood vessels, vascular smooth muscle cells are of interest due to their influence over vascular tone and function. Additionally, vascular smooth muscle cells are responsive to pressure and flow changes. Therefore, alterations in these parameters under conditions of microgravity can be functionally disruptive. As such, here we review and discuss the existing literature that assesses the effects of microgravity, both actual and simulated, on smooth muscle cells. This includes the various methods for achieving or simulating microgravity, the animal models or cells used, and the various durations of microgravity assessed. We also discuss the various reported findings in the field, which include changes to cell proliferation, gene expression and phenotypic shifts, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and Ca2+ signaling. Additionally, we briefly summarize the literature on smooth muscle tissue engineering in microgravity as well as considerations of radiation as another key component of spaceflight to contextualize spaceflight experiments, which by their nature include radiation exposure. Finally, we provide general recommendations based on the existing literature's focus and limitations.

The Effects of Simulated and Real Microgravity on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Gravitational and Space Research

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"The Effects of Simulated and Real Microgravity on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells"}

As considerations are being made for the limitations and safety of long-term human spaceflight, the vasculature is important given its connection to and impact...

The Effects of Simulated and Real Microgravity on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Article Category: Research Note

Published Online: May 25, 2024

Page range: 46 - 59

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/gsr-2024-0003

Keywords
spaceflight, simulated microgravity, smooth muscle cell, tissue engineering, radiation

© 2024 Christopher Ludtka et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The Effects of Simulated and Real Microgravity on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Article Category: Research Note

Published Online: May 25, 2024

Page range: 46 - 59

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/gsr-2024-0003

Keywordsspaceflight, simulated microgravity, smooth muscle cell, tissue engineering, radiation

© 2024 Christopher Ludtka et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
spaceflight, simulated microgravity, smooth muscle cell, tissue engineering, radiation