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Project Title:  Effects of Microgravity on the Risks of Space Radiation-induced Leukemogenesis Reduce
Images: icon  Fiscal Year: FY 2020 
Division: Space Biology 
Research Discipline/Element:
Space Biology: Cell & Molecular Biology   | Animal Biology: Vertebrate  
Start Date: 02/01/2017  
End Date: 01/31/2020  
Task Last Updated: 06/24/2020 
Download report in PDF pdf
Principal Investigator/Affiliation:   Porada, Christopher  Ph.D. / Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine 
Address:  391 Technology Way 
 
Winston Salem , NC 27157 
Email: cporada@wakehealth.edu 
Phone: 336-713-1655  
Congressional District:
Web:  
Organization Type: UNIVERSITY 
Organization Name: Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine 
Joint Agency:  
Comments:  
Co-Investigator(s)
Affiliation: 
Almeida-Porada, Maria Graca  M.D., Ph.D. Wake Forest University 
Walker, Steve  Ph.D. Wake Forest University 
Wilson, Paul  Ph.D. University of California, Davis 
Key Personnel Changes / Previous PI: June 2020 report: Jonathan Diaz, a Master's Biomedical Engineering student joined the project during this past year.
Project Information: Grant/Contract No. NNX17AE49G 
Responsible Center: NASA ARC 
Grant Monitor: Griko, Yuri  
Center Contact: 650-604-0519 
Yuri.V.Griko@nasa.gov 
Unique ID: 11162 
Solicitation / Funding Source: 2016 Space Biology (ROSBio) NNH16ZTT001N-GeneLab. Appendix A: Translational Systems Biology and Informatics Research Using the GeneLab Data System 
Grant/Contract No.: NNX17AE49G 
Project Type: GeneLab,GROUND 
Flight Program:  
No. of Post Docs:
No. of PhD Candidates:
No. of Master's Candidates:
No. of Bachelor's Candidates:
No. of PhD Degrees:  
No. of Master's Degrees:
No. of Bachelor's Degrees:  
Space Biology Element: (1) Cell & Molecular Biology
(2) Animal Biology: Vertebrate
Space Biology Cross-Element Discipline: (1) Immunology
Space Biology Special Category: (1) Translational (Countermeasure) Potential
Flight Assignment/Project Notes: NOTE: Extended to 1/31/2020 per F. Hernandez/ARC (Ed., 7/23/19)

NOTE: Extended to 7/31/2019 per F. Hernandez/ARC (Ed., 2/14/19)

Task Description: We will specifically be making use of data generated as part of GeneLab experiment sets GLDS-53, GLDS-55, and GLDS-25 as the basis for the novel hypothesis to be tested in the current proposal: microgravity (µG) acts in concert with solar particle event (SPE) and galactic cosmic ray (GCR) radiation to produce deleterious effects on the human hematopoietic system, which may lead to an enhanced risk of leukemogenesis, as a result of both increased genomic damage to cells of the hematopoietic system, and a reduced ability of the immune system to recognize and clear hematopoietic cells that have undergone malignant transformation as a result of exposure to SPE/GCR radiation and conditions of microgravity. Data generated from the aforementioned GeneLab studies support this hypothesis, as these data have shown that µG: 1) induces higher levels of spontaneous DNA damage in human hematopoietic cells; 2) markedly alters the ability of mature human immune cells to respond appropriately to stimuli; 3) diminishes the ability of human lymphocytes to efficiently repair DNA damage in response to ionizing radiation; and 4) leads to alterations in the levels of multiple miRNAs that have been implicated in a variety of human hematopoietic malignancies. We have also generated a wealth of data to support the hypothesis that µG and space radiation likely act synergistically to increase astronaut risk of leukemogenesis during a prolonged mission beyond LEO (low Earth orbit). In the present proposal, we will build upon these data by performing studies to directly test the ability of µG to increase the risk of leukemic transformation in human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSC), while simultaneously reducing the ability of generated immune cells from recognizing and removing any malignant clones that arise.

Research Impact/Earth Benefits: Our research has thus far revealed that conditions of microgravity lead to marked alterations in the ability of human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSC) to repair DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) that are characteristic of the damage that occurs following exposure to ionizing radiation. Moreover, microgravity also appears to impair the ability of human HSC to generate functional dendritic cells, which act as critical sentinels within the immune system, detecting infectious invaders and cells that have undergone malignant transformation, and alerting/priming immune effectors to eliminate these threats. Further adding to these deleterious effects, we have also found that microgravity negatively affects the ability of human natural killer (NK) cells to recognize and lyse human leukemic cells. Taken together, our results to date have shown that conditions of microgravity present during spaceflight could add to the risks of leukemogenesis as a result of exposure to space radiation, both by impairing the ability of human HSC to repair the induced damage and by crippling the generation and function of the immune cells needed to recognize and eliminate cells damaged by the radiation. An understanding of the mechanism(s) by which microgravity affects and impairs these different processes could lead to the development of novel methods to target and augment these pathways, and thereby enhance the processes of DNA repair and anti-tumor immunity. Such developments could have a profound impact on the treatment of cancer and on the lives of patients suffering from this disease.

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2020 
Task Progress: We have now finished writing the manuscript detailing the effects microgravity exerts on the plasticity/differentitative potential of human mesenchymal stromal cells, unveiling their latent ability to give rise to novel tissues and cell types upon transplantation in vivo. We have also finished gathering all necessary data to prepare a manuscript detailing all of our findings regarding the impact microgravity exerts on human NK cell activity and the ability of these critical immune cells to recognize and lyse human leukemic cells. These findings support our initial hypothesis that conditions of microgravity may add to the risk of leukemogenesis due to exposure to space radiation by knocking down the ability of the immune system to recognize and eliminate malignant hematopoietic clones that arise.

Bibliography: Description: (Last Updated: 01/30/2023) 

Show Cumulative Bibliography
 
Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings Kuhlman BM, Almeida-Porada G, Porada C. "Effects on Anti-Leukemic Activity of Human Natural Killer Cells in a Continuous Microgravity Environment." Presentation at 35th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research, Denver, CO, November 20-23, 2019.

35th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research, Denver, CO, November 20-23, 2019. , Nov-2019

Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings Kuhlman BM, Almeida-Porada G, Porada CD. "Microgravity Impairs Anti-Leukemic Activity of Human NK Cells." Presentation at 2019 International Space Station Research and Development Conference (ISSRDC), Atlanta, GA, July 29-August 1, 2019.

2019 International Space Station Research and Development Conference (ISSRDC), Atlanta, GA, July 29-August 1, 2019. , Jul-2019

Project Title:  Effects of Microgravity on the Risks of Space Radiation-induced Leukemogenesis Reduce
Images: icon  Fiscal Year: FY 2019 
Division: Space Biology 
Research Discipline/Element:
Space Biology: Cell & Molecular Biology   | Animal Biology: Vertebrate  
Start Date: 02/01/2017  
End Date: 01/31/2020  
Task Last Updated: 12/06/2018 
Download report in PDF pdf
Principal Investigator/Affiliation:   Porada, Christopher  Ph.D. / Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine 
Address:  391 Technology Way 
 
Winston Salem , NC 27157 
Email: cporada@wakehealth.edu 
Phone: 336-713-1655  
Congressional District:
Web:  
Organization Type: UNIVERSITY 
Organization Name: Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine 
Joint Agency:  
Comments:  
Co-Investigator(s)
Affiliation: 
Almeida-Porada, Maria Graca  M.D., Ph.D. Wake Forest University 
Walker, Steve  Ph.D. Wake Forest University 
Wilson, Paul  Ph.D. University of California, Davis 
Key Personnel Changes / Previous PI: November 2017 report: No changes.
Project Information: Grant/Contract No. NNX17AE49G 
Responsible Center: NASA ARC 
Grant Monitor: Sato, Kevin  
Center Contact: 650-604-1104 
kevin.y.sato@nasa.gov 
Unique ID: 11162 
Solicitation / Funding Source: 2016 Space Biology (ROSBio) NNH16ZTT001N-GeneLab. Appendix A: Translational Systems Biology and Informatics Research Using the GeneLab Data System 
Grant/Contract No.: NNX17AE49G 
Project Type: GeneLab,GROUND 
Flight Program:  
No. of Post Docs:
No. of PhD Candidates:
No. of Master's Candidates:  
No. of Bachelor's Candidates:
No. of PhD Degrees:  
No. of Master's Degrees:
No. of Bachelor's Degrees:  
Space Biology Element: (1) Cell & Molecular Biology
(2) Animal Biology: Vertebrate
Space Biology Cross-Element Discipline: (1) Immunology
Space Biology Special Category: (1) Translational (Countermeasure) Potential
Flight Assignment/Project Notes: NOTE: Extended to 1/31/2020 per F. Hernandez/ARC (Ed., 7/23/19)

NOTE: Extended to 7/31/2019 per F. Hernandez/ARC (Ed., 2/14/19)

Task Description: We will specifically be making use of data generated as part of GeneLab experiment sets GLDS-53, GLDS-55, and GLDS-25 as the basis for the novel hypothesis to be tested in the current proposal: microgravity (µG) acts in concert with solar particle event (SPE) and galactic cosmic ray (GCR) radiation to produce deleterious effects on the human hematopoietic system, which may lead to an enhanced risk of leukemogenesis, as a result of both increased genomic damage to cells of the hematopoietic system, and a reduced ability of the immune system to recognize and clear hematopoietic cells that have undergone malignant transformation as a result of exposure to SPE/GCR radiation and conditions of microgravity. Data generated from the aforementioned GeneLab studies support this hypothesis, as these data have shown that µG: 1) induces higher levels of spontaneous DNA damage in human hematopoietic cells; 2) markedly alters the ability of mature human immune cells to respond appropriately to stimuli; 3) diminishes the ability of human lymphocytes to efficiently repair DNA damage in response to ionizing radiation; and 4) leads to alterations in the levels of multiple miRNAs that have been implicated in a variety of human hematopoietic malignancies. We have also generated a wealth of data to support the hypothesis that µG and space radiation likely act synergistically to increase astronaut risk of leukemogenesis during a prolonged mission beyond LEO (low Earth orbit). In the present proposal, we will build upon these data by performing studies to directly test the ability of µG to increase the risk of leukemic transformation in human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSC), while simultaneously reducing the ability of generated immune cells from recognizing and removing any malignant clones that arise.

Research Impact/Earth Benefits: Our research has thus far revealed that conditions of microgravity lead to marked alterations in the ability of human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSC) to repair DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) that are characteristic of the damage that occurs following exposure to ionizing radiation. Moreover, microgravity also appears to impair the ability of human HSC to generate functional dendritic cells, which act as critical sentinels within the immune system, detecting infectious invaders and cells that have undergone malignant transformation, and alerting/priming immune effectors to eliminate these threats. Further adding to these deleterious effects, we have also found that microgravity negatively affects the ability of human natural killer (NK) cells to recognize and lyse human leukemic cells. Taken together, our results to date have shown that conditions of microgravity present during spaceflight could add to the risks of leukemogenesis as a result of exposure to space radiation, both by impairing the ability of human HSC to repair the induced damage and by crippling the generation and function of the immune cells needed to recognize and eliminate cells damaged by the radiation. An understanding of the mechanism(s) by which microgravity affects and impairs these different processes could lead to the development of novel methods to target and augment these pathways, and thereby enhance the processes of DNA repair and anti-tumor immunity. Such developments could have a profound impact on the treatment of cancer and on the lives of patients suffering from this disease.

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2019 
Task Progress: One of the major factors limiting manned spaceflight beyond low-Earth orbit is the poorly defined health risks as a result of exposure to space radiation in the form of solar energetic particles (SEP) and galactic cosmic rays (GCR) that could potentially increase cancer morbidity/mortality in astronauts. We have recently demonstrated seriousness of this risk by showing that exposing human hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) to simulated GCR (at high dose-rate) results in the generation of leukemia when these cells repopulate the hematopoietic system of mice (Leukemia, 31(6), 1398-1407, 2017). In addition to being exposed to high energy radiation, astronauts are subjected to conditions of microgravity (µG) during spaceflight, which also exerts a wide range of untoward effects on the body, including altering immunity and the response to radiation. We therefore hypothesized that conditions of microgravity µG present during spaceflight may act in concert with SEP and GCR radiation to produce deleterious effects on the human hematopoietic system, leading to an enhanced risk of leukemogenesis, as a result of both increased genomic damage to cells of the hematopoietic system, and a reduced ability of the generated immune system to recognize and clear hematopoietic cells that have undergone malignant transformation.

In the 1st set of studies to test this hypothesis, we treated the human HSC-like KG1a cell line with an acute dose (10 µg/ml) of the radiomimetic drug bleomycin to mimic the damaging effects of SEP/GCR radiation. We then took the treated cells, in addition to an identical batch of untreated cells, and split them in half. Half of the cells from each aliquot were cultured under conditions of normal gravity (1G) in a 37 degrees C incubator, and the other half was cultured in the Synthecon Rotary Cell Culture System (RCCS) to create a state of continual freefall, and thereby mimic µG. At 1 and 4 hours, half of the cells were harvested from the 1G and µG cultures, and we quantitated the extent of double-strand breaks (DSBs) and the kinetics of repair, using flow cytometry and confocal imaging to monitor the formation and disappearance of gamma-H2AX foci. Interestingly, both the bleomycin-treated and untreated cells experienced a moderate increase in their median fluorescence intensity (MFI) when cultured in a µG environment, indicating that just the presence of conditions of simulated µG may lead to an increase in DNA damage.

To determine the impact conditions of µG exerted on the ability of KG1a cells to repair DSBs induced by the radiomimetic bleomycin, we calculated the ratio of bleomycin-treated cells’ MFI to untreated cells’ MFI under conditions of 1G vs. those in µG between the 1 hr and 4 hr time points. We reasoned that if DNA repair proceeds normally, this ratio should decrease from the 1 hr to 4 hr time point, since gamma-H2AX foci disappear as DNA is repaired. When we first examined the cells cultured in 1G, this ratio did indeed decrease, by 26%, from the 1 hr time point to the 4 hr time point for cells, demonstrating successful repair of the bleomycin-induced DNA damage during this time. In marked contrast, cells maintained in µG experienced a 20% increase over this same period, suggesting they were unable to repair the bleomycin-induced DNA damage, and this damage accumulated during the 4 hr incubation.

Since the “classical” method for assessing DSBs induced by bleomycin or ionizing radiation is to perform immunofluorescence microscopy on cells following staining with gamma-H2AX, we used this traditional method to confirm that fluorescence events that we were detecting on the flow cytometer were indeed due to the presence of gamma-H2AX foci within the nuclei of the human HSC-like KG1a cells maintained in conditions of simulated µG during the period of DNA repair following bleomycin exposure.

From the studies we have performed to-date, we conclude that HSC DNA damage repair is compromised in conditions of µG, leading to an accumulation of DSBs that cannot be resolved over time. These findings thus support our hypothesis that conditions of µG may enhance the genotoxic effects of space radiation, and increase the risk of leukemogenesis. These findings were recently published in Dr. Elizabeth Blaber’s Special Issue of Stem Cells and Development that is focused on Microgravity (Stem Cells Dev. 2018 Sep 15;27(18):1257-1267. doi: 10.1089/scd.2018.0052).

Since last year’s Progress Report, we have established a new collaboration with Dr. Pierre-Alexandre Vidi at the Wake Forest School of Medicine. Dr. Vidi owns a custom-made micro gamma-irradiator, that easily fits within a standard tissue culture incubator. We have been working with Dr. Vidi for the past several months to find a way to adapt this device to enable us to irradiate human KG1a cells (and eventually primary human CD34+ HSC) while they are spinning in the RWV/HARV. We have now adapted the system to accomplish this task. We are thus poised, for the first time ever, to be able to study the incidence of ionizing radiation-induced DNA damage, and its subsequent repair, in human cells while they are in conditions of microgravity. Until this point, all studies examining the effects of microgravity on DNA damage and repair have been forced to remove the cells from microgravity during exposure to irradiation. We thus feel that these studies will provide highly novel and valuable data to NASA regarding this important issue.

In our 2nd set of experiments, we tested the hypothesis that µG alters the development and functionality of critical regulators of the immune system, which could further enhance cancer risk during spaceflight. The generation of an effective immune response requires that antigens be processed and presented to T cells by antigen presenting cells (APC), the most potent of which are dendritic cells (DC), which stimulate naïve T cells and initiate primary immune responses. DC also function as effector cells in innate immunity. Because DC have influence over both the innate and acquired arms of immunity, a defect in their production and/or function would be expected to result in broad impairment of immunity. We therefore tested whether DC could be generated from human HSC in µG, again using the RCCS. CD34+ cells were cultured in 1G or µG using cytokine-supplemented serum-free media, and were analyzed for the presence of plasmacytoid (CD123+) and myeloid (CD11c+) DC by flow cytometry. While culture in both 1G and µG produced higher numbers of myeloid (CD11c+) vs. plasmacytoid (CD123+) DC, the HSC cultured in 1G differentiated into DC in significantly higher numbers than those cultured in µG. Moreover, culture in µG significantly delayed the generation of DC; while DC were generated within 7 days in 1G, they only appeared after 14 days in µG. Our results thus suggest that µG delays the production of DC and reduces the number of these important APC that are generated. A manuscript detailing these findings was also recently published in Dr. Elizabeth Blaber’s Special Issue of Stem Cells and Development that is focused on Microgravity (Stem Cells Dev. 2018 Sep 15;27(18):1257-1267. doi: 10.1089/scd.2018.0052).

In our 3rd set of experiments, we have begun exploring the effects that conditions of µG exert on the generation and functionality of human NK cells, focusing on their ability to recognize and lyse human leukemic cells, as our prior Human Research Program (HRP)-supported work showed that exposure of human HSC to simulated GCR ions induced T-ALL. To begin these studies and optimize the methods/assays to be used, we began with the human IL-2-independent NK cell line NK-92MI, testing the effects that a brief (48 h) exposure to conditions of µG had on the ability of these cells to subsequently recognize and lyse the human erythroleukemic cell line K562, and the human T-ALL cell line MOLT-4. Even this relatively brief exposure to conditions of µG dramatically reduced the ability of this human NK cell line to recognize and lyse both of these human leukemic targets, irrespective of the effector:target (E:T) ratio used. After extensive optimization, we have finally managed to establish culture conditions that permit the long-term maintenance and expansion of primary human peripheral blood NK cells, and studies are now ongoing to assess whether conditions of µG exerts similar effects on the functionality of these primary cells. Samples have also been prepared to perform transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to define the subcellular alterations that occur in the NK cells exposed to µG that so dramatically affects their ability to recognize and/or lyse leukemic cells. Studies are focused on the alterations µG induces in the actin cytoskeleton of the NK cells, as the actin filaments are known to play a critical role in both the formation of the immune synapse and the movement and ultimate release of the cytolytic granules from the NK cells. In addition, we have joined together with several other faculty at Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) to purchase a NanoString device, which will enable us to rapidly and thoroughly define all of the transcriptional changes (both mRNA and miRNA) that occur in both NK-92MI and primary human NK cells as a result of exposure to conditions of µG.

In addition to the afore-detailed studies in which NK cells were exposed to conditions of µG and then used for NK lysis assays to assess functionality, we reasoned that it would be far more interesting and biologically relevant to devise a means of assessing NK functionality while the NK cells were in conditions of µG. To accomplish this objective, we spent roughly 6 months adapting the nonradioactive NK lysis kit to enable us to be able to perform the whole assay in the RWV/HARV. We have now repeated all of our prior studies with the NK-92MI cell line, and we have shown that the effects of conditions of µG on NK cell activity against human leukemic cells are even more pronounced when the NK cells are allowed to find, engage, and lyse the leukemic cells while in conditions of µG. A manuscript detailing all of these important findings on human NK cells functionality in conditions of µG is currently being prepared for submission to Nature Microgravity.

Combining the data we have generated on the immune-altering effects of µG with those of the preceding experiments on DSB repair, we feel that our studies to-date support our overall hypothesis that conditions of µG present during spaceflight may enhance the risk of SEP/GCR-induced leukemogenesis, highlighting the importance of developing means of simulating gravity during spaceflight or identifying biological countermeasures to the deleterious effects of conditions of µG to reduce astronaut risk.

Bibliography: Description: (Last Updated: 01/30/2023) 

Show Cumulative Bibliography
 
Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings Kuhlman BM, Almeida-Porada G, Porada CD. "Microgravity Impairs Anti-Leukemic Activity of Human NK Cells." To be presented at the NASA Human Research Program Investigators' Workshop, Galveston, TX, 2019.

2019 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop, Galveston, TX, January 22-25, 2019. , Jan-2019

Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings Kuhlman BM, Almeida-Porada G, Porada CD. "Microgravity Impairs Anti-Leukemic Activity of Human NK Cells." Poster presentation. 34th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research, Bethesda, MD, October 31-November 3, 2018.

34th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research, Bethesda, MD, October 31-November 3, 2018. , Nov-2018

Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings Kuhlman BM, Almeida-Porada G, Porada CD. "Could Conditions of Microgravity Enhance Cancer Risk from Space Radiation?" Podium Talk. 6th Annual NextGen Stem Cell Conference, West Hartford, CT, August 2-3, 2018.

6th Annual NextGen Stem Cell Conference, West Hartford, CT, August 2-3, 2018. , Aug-2018

Articles in Peer-reviewed Journals Low EK, Brudvik E, Kuhlman B, Wilson PF, Almeida-Porada G, Porada CD. "Microgravity impairs DNA damage repair in human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells and inhibits their differentiation into dendritic cells." Stem Cells Dev. 2018 Sep 15;27(18):1257-67. Epub 2018 Jul 16. https://doi.org/10.1089/scd.2018.0052 ; PubMed PMID: 29901426 , Sep-2018
Articles in Peer-reviewed Journals Almeida-Porada G, Rodman C, Kuhlman B, Brudvik E, Moon J, George S, Guida P, Sajuthi SP, Langefeld CD, Walker SJ, Wilson PF, Porada CD. "Exposure of the bone marrow microenvironment to simulated solar and galactic cosmic radiation induces biological bystander effects on human hematopoiesis." Stem Cells Dev. 2018 Sep 15;27(18):1237-56. Epub 2018 Apr 26. https://doi.org/10.1089/scd.2018.0005 ; PubMed PMID: 29698131 , Sep-2018
Project Title:  Effects of Microgravity on the Risks of Space Radiation-induced Leukemogenesis Reduce
Images: icon  Fiscal Year: FY 2018 
Division: Space Biology 
Research Discipline/Element:
Space Biology: Cell & Molecular Biology   | Animal Biology: Vertebrate  
Start Date: 02/01/2017  
End Date: 01/31/2019  
Task Last Updated: 11/20/2017 
Download report in PDF pdf
Principal Investigator/Affiliation:   Porada, Christopher  Ph.D. / Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine 
Address:  391 Technology Way 
 
Winston Salem , NC 27157 
Email: cporada@wakehealth.edu 
Phone: 336-713-1655  
Congressional District:
Web:  
Organization Type: UNIVERSITY 
Organization Name: Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine 
Joint Agency:  
Comments:  
Co-Investigator(s)
Affiliation: 
Almeida-Porada, Maria Graca  M.D., Ph.D. Wake Forest University 
Walker, Steve  Ph.D. Wake Forest University 
Wilson, Paul  Ph.D. University of California, Davis 
Key Personnel Changes / Previous PI: November 2017 report: No changes.
Project Information: Grant/Contract No. NNX17AE49G 
Responsible Center: NASA ARC 
Grant Monitor: Sato, Kevin  
Center Contact: 650-604-1104 
kevin.y.sato@nasa.gov 
Unique ID: 11162 
Solicitation / Funding Source: 2016 Space Biology (ROSBio) NNH16ZTT001N-GeneLab. Appendix A: Translational Systems Biology and Informatics Research Using the GeneLab Data System 
Grant/Contract No.: NNX17AE49G 
Project Type: GeneLab,GROUND 
Flight Program:  
No. of Post Docs:
No. of PhD Candidates:
No. of Master's Candidates:  
No. of Bachelor's Candidates:
No. of PhD Degrees:  
No. of Master's Degrees:  
No. of Bachelor's Degrees:  
Space Biology Element: (1) Cell & Molecular Biology
(2) Animal Biology: Vertebrate
Space Biology Cross-Element Discipline: (1) Immunology
Space Biology Special Category: (1) Translational (Countermeasure) Potential
Task Description: We will specifically be making use of data generated as part of GeneLab experiment sets GLDS-53, GLDS-55, and GLDS-25 as the basis for the novel hypothesis to be tested in the current proposal: microgravity (µG) acts in concert with solar particle event (SPE) and galactic cosmic ray (GCR) radiation to produce deleterious effects on the human hematopoietic system, which may lead to an enhanced risk of leukemogenesis, as a result of both increased genomic damage to cells of the hematopoietic system, and a reduced ability of the immune system to recognize and clear hematopoietic cells that have undergone malignant transformation as a result of exposure to SPE/GCR radiation and conditions of microgravity. Data generated from the aforementioned GeneLab studies support this hypothesis, as these data have shown that µG: 1) induces higher levels of spontaneous DNA damage in human hematopoietic cells; 2) markedly alters the ability of mature human immune cells to respond appropriately to stimuli; 3) diminishes the ability of human lymphocytes to efficiently repair DNA damage in response to ionizing radiation; and 4) leads to alterations in the levels of multiple miRNAs that have been implicated in a variety of human hematopoietic malignancies. We have also generated a wealth of data to support the hypothesis that µG and space radiation likely act synergistically to increase astronaut risk of leukemogenesis during a prolonged mission beyond LEO (low Earth orbit). In the present proposal, we will build upon these data by performing studies to directly test the ability of µG to increase the risk of leukemic transformation in human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSC) , while simultaneously reducing the ability of generated immune cells from recognizing and removing any malignant clones that arise.

Research Impact/Earth Benefits: Our research has thus far revealed that conditions of microgravity leads to marked alterations in the ability of human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSC) to repair DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) that are characteristic of the damage that occurs following exposure to ionizing radiation. Moreover, microgravity also appears to impair the ability of human HSC to generate functional dendritic cells, which act as critical sentinels within the immune system, detecting infectious invaders and cells that have undergone malignant transformation, and alerting/priming immune effectors to eliminate these threats. Further adding to these deleterious effects, we have also found that microgravity negatively effects the ability of human natural killer (NK) cells to recognize and lyse human leukemic cells. Taken together, our results to date have shown that conditions of microgravity present during spaceflight could add to the risks of leukemogenesis as a result of exposure to space radiation, both by impairing the ability of human HSC to repair the induced damage and by crippling the generation and function of the immune cells needed to recognize and eliminate cells damaged by the radiation. An understanding of the mechanism(s) by which microgravity effects and impairs these different processes could lead to the development of novel methods to target and augment these pathways, and thereby enhance the processes of DNA repair and anti-tumor immunity. Such developments could have a profound impact on the treatment of cancer and on the lives of patients suffering from this disease.

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2018 
Task Progress: One of the major factors limiting manned spaceflight beyond low-Earth orbit is the poorly defined health risks as a result of exposure to space radiation in the form of solar energetic particles (SEP) and galactic cosmic rays (GCR) that could potentially increase cancer morbidity/mortality in astronauts. We have recently demonstrated seriousness of this risk by showing that exposing human hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) to simulated GCR (at high dose-rate) results in the generation of leukemia when these cells repopulate the hematopoietic system of mice (Leukemia, 31(6), 1398-1407, 2017). In addition to being exposed to high energy radiation, astronauts are subjected to conditions of microgravity (µG) during spaceflight, which also exerts a wide range of untoward effects on the body, including altering immunity and the response to radiation. We therefore hypothesized that conditions of microgravity µG present during spaceflight may act in concert with SEP and GCR radiation to produce deleterious effects on the human hematopoietic system, leading to an enhanced risk of leukemogenesis, as a result of both increased genomic damage to cells of the hematopoietic system, and a reduced ability of the generated immune system to recognize and clear hematopoietic cells that have undergone malignant transformation.

In the 1st set of studies to test this hypothesis, we treated the human HSC-like KG1a cell line with an acute dose (10 µg/ml) of the radiomimetic drug bleomycin to mimic the damaging effects of SEP/GCR radiation. We then took the treated cells, in addition to an identical batch of untreated cells, and split them in half. Half of the cells from each aliquot were cultured under conditions of normal gravity (1G) in a 370C incubator, and the other half was cultured in the Synthecon Rotary Cell Culture System (RCCS) to create a state of continual freefall, and thereby mimic µG. At 1 hour and 4 hours, half of the cells were harvested from the 1G and µG cultures, and we quantitated the extent of double-strand breaks (DSBs) and the kinetics of repair, using flow cytometry and confocal imaging to monitor the formation and disappearance of gamma-H2AX foci. Interestingly, both the bleomycin-treated and untreated cells experienced a moderate increase in their median fluorescence intensity (MFI) when cultured in a µG environment, indicating that just the presence of conditions of simulated µG may lead to an increase in DNA damage.

To determine the impact conditions of µG exerted on the ability of KG1a cells to repair DSBs induced by the radiomimetic bleomycin, we calculated the ratio of bleomycin-treated cells’ MFI to untreated cells’ MFI under conditions of 1G vs. those in µG between the 1 hr and 4 hr time points. We reasoned that, if DNA repair proceeds normally, this ratio should decrease from the 1 hr to 4 hr time point, since gamma-H2AX foci disappear as DNA is repaired. When we first examined the cells cultured in 1G, this ratio did indeed decrease, by 26%, from the 1 hr time point to the 4 hr time point for cells, demonstrating successful repair of the bleomycin-induced DNA damage during this time. In marked contrast, cells maintained in µG experienced a 20% increase over this same period, suggesting they were unable to repair the bleomycin-induced DNA damage, and this damage accumulated during the 4 hr incubation.

Since the “classical” method for assessing DSBs induced by bleomycin or ionizing radiation is to perform immunofluorescence microscopy on cells following staining with gamma-H2AX, we used this traditional method to confirm that fluorescence events that we were detecting on the flow cytometer were indeed due to the presence of gamma-H2AX foci within the nuclei of the human HSC-like KG1a cells maintained in conditions of simulated µG during the period of DNA repair following bleomycin exposure.

From the studies we have performed to-date, we conclude that HSC DNA damage repair is compromised in conditions of µG, leading to an accumulation of DSBs that cannot be resolved over time. These findings thus support our hypothesis that conditions of µG may enhance the genotoxic effects of space radiation, and increase the risk of leukemogenesis. These findings were recently reported at annual meeting of the North Carolina Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Society. These studies were performed by Egil Brudvik, an undergraduate student who worked on this project as part of WFIRM’s annual Summer Scholars Program. Egil has submitted an abstract detailing our findings for consideration for presentation at the Council on Undergraduate Research’s 22nd annual undergraduate poster session to be held in the Spring of 2018 on Capitol Hill.

In our 2nd set of experiments, we tested the hypothesis that µG alters the development and functionality of critical regulators of the immune system, which could further enhance cancer risk during spaceflight. The generation of an effective immune response requires that antigens be processed and presented to T cells by antigen presenting cells (APC), the most potent of which are dendritic cells (DC), which stimulate naïve T cells and initiate primary immune responses. DC also function as effector cells in innate immunity. Because DC have influence over both the innate and acquired arms of immunity, a defect in their production and/or function would be expected to result in broad impairment of immunity. We therefore tested whether DC could be generated from human HSC in µG, again using the RCCS. CD34+ cells were cultured in 1G or µG using cytokine-supplemented serum-free media, and were analyzed for the presence of plasmacytoid (CD123+) and myeloid (CD11c+) DC by flow cytometry. While culture in both 1G and µG produced higher numbers of myeloid (CD11c+) vs. plasmacytoid (CD123+) DC, the HSC cultured in 1G differentiated into DC in significantly higher numbers than those cultured in µG. Moreover, culture in µG significantly delayed the generation of DC; while DC were generated within 7 days in 1G, they only appeared after 14 days in µG. Our results thus suggest that µG delays the production of DC and reduces the number of these important APC that are generated. A manuscript detailing these findings is currently being written for submission to Dr. Elizabeth Blaber’s Special Issue of Stem Cells and Development that is focused on Microgravity.

In our 3rd set of experiments, we have begun exploring the effects that conditions of µG exert on the generation and functionality of NK cells, focusing on their ability to recognize and lyse leukemic cells. To begin these studies and optimize the methods/assays to be used, we began with the human IL-2-independent NK cell line NK-92MI, testing the effects that a brief (48 h) exposure to conditions of µG had on the ability of these cells to subsequently recognize and lyse the human erythroleukemic cell line K562. Even this relatively brief exposure to conditions of µG dramatically reduced the ability of this human NK cell line to recognize and lyse these human leukemic targets, irrespective of the effector:target (E:T) ratio used. Studies are currently ongoing with primary human peripheral blood NK cells, and samples are being prepared for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to define the subcellular alterations that occur in the NK cells exposed to µG that so dramatically effects their ability to recognize and/or lyse leukemic cells. Studies are focused on the alterations µG induces in the actin cytoskeleton of the NK cells, as the actin filaments are known to play a critical role in both the formation of the immune synapse and the movement and ultimate release of the cytolytic granules from the NK cells.

Combining the data we have generated thus far on the immune-altering effects of µG with those of the preceding experiments on DSB repair, we feel that our studies to-date support our overall hypothesis that conditions of µG present during spaceflight may enhance the risk of SEP/GCR-induced leukemogenesis, highlighting the importance of developing means of simulating gravity during spaceflight to reduce astronaut risk.

Bibliography: Description: (Last Updated: 01/30/2023) 

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Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings Brudvik E, George SK, Almeida-Porada G, Porada CD. "Simulated Microgravity Impairs DNA Damage Repair in a Primitive Human Leukemic Cell Line." Presented at the 19th Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Society, Winston-Salem, NC, November 10, 2017.

19th Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Society, Winston-Salem, NC, November 10, 2017. , Nov-2017

Project Title:  Effects of Microgravity on the Risks of Space Radiation-induced Leukemogenesis Reduce
Images: icon  Fiscal Year: FY 2017 
Division: Space Biology 
Research Discipline/Element:
Space Biology: Cell & Molecular Biology   | Animal Biology: Vertebrate  
Start Date: 02/01/2017  
End Date: 01/31/2019  
Task Last Updated: 02/08/2017 
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Principal Investigator/Affiliation:   Porada, Christopher  Ph.D. / Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine 
Address:  391 Technology Way 
 
Winston Salem , NC 27157 
Email: cporada@wakehealth.edu 
Phone: 336-713-1655  
Congressional District:
Web:  
Organization Type: UNIVERSITY 
Organization Name: Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine 
Joint Agency:  
Comments:  
Co-Investigator(s)
Affiliation: 
Almeida-Porada, Maria Graca  M.D., Ph.D. Wake Forest University 
Walker, Steve  Ph.D. Wake Forest University 
Wilson, Paul  Ph.D. University of California, Davis 
Project Information: Grant/Contract No. NNX17AE49G 
Responsible Center: NASA ARC 
Grant Monitor: Sato, Kevin  
Center Contact: 650-604-1104 
kevin.y.sato@nasa.gov 
Unique ID: 11162 
Solicitation / Funding Source: 2016 Space Biology (ROSBio) NNH16ZTT001N-GeneLab. Appendix A: Translational Systems Biology and Informatics Research Using the GeneLab Data System 
Grant/Contract No.: NNX17AE49G 
Project Type: GeneLab,GROUND 
Flight Program:  
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Space Biology Element: (1) Cell & Molecular Biology
(2) Animal Biology: Vertebrate
Space Biology Cross-Element Discipline: (1) Immunology
Space Biology Special Category: (1) Translational (Countermeasure) Potential
Task Description: We will specifically be making use of data generated as part of GeneLab experiment sets GLDS-53, GLDS-55, and GLDS-25 as the basis for the novel hypothesis to be tested in the current proposal: microgravity (µG) acts in concert with solar particle event (SPE) and galactic cosmic ray (GCR) radiation to produce deleterious effects on the human hematopoietic system, which may lead to an enhanced risk of leukemogenesis, as a result of both increased genomic damage to cells of the hematopoietic system, and a reduced ability of the immune system to recognize and clear hematopoietic cells that have undergone malignant transformation as a result of exposure to SPE/GCR radiation and conditions of microgravity. Data generated from the afore-mentioned GeneLab studies support this hypothesis, as these data have shown that µG: 1) induces higher levels of spontaneous DNA damage in human hematopoietic cells; 2) markedly alters the ability of mature human immune cells to respond appropriately to stimuli; 3) diminishes the ability of human lymphocytes to efficiently repair DNA damage in response to ionizing radiation; and 4) leads to alterations in the levels of multiple miRNAs that have been implicated in a variety of human hematopoietic malignancies. We have also generated a wealth of data to support the hypothesis that µG and space radiation likely act synergistically to increase astronaut risk of leukemogenesis during a prolonged mission beyond LEO (low Earth orbit). In the present proposal, we will build upon these data by performing studies to directly test the ability of µG to increase the risk of leukemic transformation in human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSC) , while simultaneously reducing the ability of generated immune cells from recognizing and removing any malignant clones that arise.

Research Impact/Earth Benefits:

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2017 
Task Progress: New project for FY2017.

Bibliography: Description: (Last Updated: 01/30/2023) 

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 None in FY 2017