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Project Title:  Cardiovascular Responses to Simulated Spaceflight: Molecular Signatures and Surrogate Outputs to Measure CVD Risk Reduce
Fiscal Year: FY 2025 
Division: Human Research 
Research Discipline/Element:
HRP SR:Space Radiation
Start Date: 01/28/2021  
End Date: 12/31/2023  
Task Last Updated: 04/16/2025 
Download Task Book report in PDF pdf
Principal Investigator/Affiliation:   Tahimic, Candice Ginn Ph.D. / University of North Florida 
Address:  Department of Biology 
1 UNF Drive 
Jacksonville , FL 32224 
Email: c.tahimic@unf.edu 
Phone: 9046205629  
Congressional District:
Web:  
Organization Type: UNIVERSITY 
Organization Name: University of North Florida 
Joint Agency:  
Comments:  
Co-Investigator(s)
Affiliation: 
Goukassian, David  M.D., Ph.D. ICAHN School of Medicine at Mount Sinai 
Ronca, April  Ph.D. NASA Ames Research Center 
Project Information: Grant/Contract No. 80NSSC21K0548 
Responsible Center: NASA JSC 
Grant Monitor: Zawaski, Janice  
Center Contact:  
janice.zawaski@nasa.gov 
Unique ID: 14287 
Solicitation / Funding Source: 2019 HERO 80JSC019N0001-FLAGSHIP & OMNIBUS: Human Research Program Crew Health. Appendix A&B 
Grant/Contract No.: 80NSSC21K0548 
Project Type: Ground 
Flight Program:  
TechPort: No 
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:
Human Research Program Elements: (1) SR:Space Radiation
Human Research Program Risks: (1) Cardiovascular:Risk of Cardiovascular Adaptations Contributing to Adverse Mission Performance and Health Outcomes
(2) Immune:Risk of In Mission Impacts, Adverse Health Events or Long-Term Health Impacts due to Altered Immune Response
Human Research Program Gaps: (1) CV-102:Determine whether space radiation induces cardiovascular structural and functional adaptations and/or oxidative stress and damage (OSaD)/inflammation that contribute to an increased risk of a cardiovascular event or and disease.
(2) CV-103:Determine whether the combined effects of space radiation and altered gravity induce additive or synergistic effects on the cardiovascular system that contribute to an increased risk of a cardiovascular event or and disease.
(3) IM-101:Evaluate the effects of deep-space radiation on immune dysfunction, as an additional hazard to the effects of psychophysiological stress and weightlessness.
Flight Assignment/Project Notes: NOTE: End date changed to 12/31/2023 per NSSC information (Ed., 1/6/24).

NOTE: End date changed to 03/31/2023 per NSSC information (Ed., 5/18/23).

Task Description: In this ground-based rodent study, we aim to systematically define molecular signatures of cardiovascular performance across doses of acute simulated galactic cosmic radiation (Five-ion GCR) at early and late timepoints post-exposure. We also will determine the contribution of biological sex and the combined effects of GCR and microgravity on clinically relevant and emerging measures of cardiovascular health. We hypothesize that exposure to space radiation alone or in combination with microgravity results in early and late changes in the structure, transcriptome, redox signaling, and cytokine milieu of cardiovascular tissue, some of which have known links to decreased performance, aging, and increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We further posit that other less invasive clinically relevant measures of immune, behavior, and neuromotor function will be informative towards extrapolating the effects of deep space missions on human cardiovascular health. To achieve the project goals and test the hypothesis, we will take advantage of a rare tissue sharing opportunity from a recently funded Human Research Program (HRP) study. The experiment design of this funded investigation includes a GCR dosing study on crew age-matched female and male mice (6 months old) as well as combined exposure study with simulated microgravity. A comprehensive panel of outcomes will be assessed in the funded study and includes measures of immune health, brain molecular and structural changes, behavior, anxiety, cognition, and neuromotor function. Our proposed approach is to measure clinically relevant indicators of cardiovascular performance and perform transcriptomic profiling by RNAseq to determine dose and time-dependency of cardiovascular responses. To further facilitate extrapolation of results to humans, rodent RNAseq data will be compared to publicly available human RNAseq datasets from aging and CVD progression studies. The results from analysis of rodent cardiovascular tissue also will be compared to corresponding blood data to link immune and cardiovascular changes. Further, cardiovascular findings will be interpreted in light of behavioral testing results to gain insight on any relationships between cardiovascular outcomes and changes in neuromotor, anxiety levels, and cognitive performance. The significance/impact of this study is that it contributes to increased understanding on the mechanisms of degenerative changes in cardiovascular tissue and the clinical endpoints they suggest. This study also is expected to provide insight on the latency period for radiation-induced cardiovascular changes and any sex differences in these outcomes. Lastly, our findings are expected to generate testable hypotheses for the development of countermeasures and less invasive surrogate biomarkers to monitor cardiovascular health in-flight and after return.

Research Impact/Earth Benefits: This study is expected to contribute to increased understanding on the mechanisms of spaceflight-induced degenerative changes in cardiovascular tissue and the clinical endpoints they suggest. This study also is expected to provide insight on the latency period for radiation-induced cardiovascular changes and any sex differences in these outcomes. Lastly, our findings are expected to generate testable hypotheses for the development of countermeasures and less invasive surrogate biomarkers to monitor cardiovascular health in-flight and after return. Cardiovascular deconditioning observed in spaceflight resemble aspects of cardiovascular aging and disease on Earth. Hence, this study also may prove informative in the development new therapies for cardiovascular disease on Earth.

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2025 
Task Progress: Spaceflight leads to cardiovascular deconditioning in the absence of mitigation strategies. Some of the cardiovascular changes in response to spaceflight are attributed to altered microgravity levels which cause a net movement of fluids towards the head and thoracic region. During extended space missions beyond low Earth orbit, astronauts will encounter prolonged periods of weightlessness and low dose space radiation. The main objective of this study is to define the molecular signatures of the cardiovascular response to simulated space radiation, or in combination with simulated microgravity, across timepoints relevant to mission duration and recovery. In addition, we aim to determine whether sex impacts cardiovascular responses to these spaceflight factors. Our overarching goals of this study are to improve understanding of the cardiovascular risks associated with long duration spaceflight and to inform on the development of countermeasures to maintain crew health during and after spaceflight. To meet these objectives, we make use of a rodent model for simulated spaceflight. We conducted a series of experiments to gain insight on how the heart and vascular tissue respond to exposure to simulated space radiation and simulated microgravity alone or in combination. We found that simulated space radiation can lead to long-term changes in the expression of genes that play a role in the development of cardiovascular disease. In addition, simulated space radiation can have long lasting effects on the length of telomeres, one of the indicators of cellular aging. We also find that the heart of females and males show differences in their responses to simulated space radiation. Further, simulated space radiation alone or in combination with simulated microgravity can alter the interactions between genes that function in the inflammatory process.

Taken together, our findings reveal that simulated space radiation can lead to long-term changes in the expression of genes implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease which should be considered in the development of post-flight cardiovascular reconditioning strategies and interventions to promote healthy aging of the cardiovascular system. Lastly, our findings highlight the need for sex-specific strategies in monitoring and maintaining cardiovascular health during and after deep space missions.

Bibliography: Description: (Last Updated: 06/19/2025) 

Show Cumulative Bibliography
 
Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings Tahimic CGT, Rubinstein R, Delp M, Goukassian D, Ronca AE. "Cardiovascular responses to simulated spaceflight: molecular signatures and surrogate outputs to measure CVD risk." 2021 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop, Virtual, February 1-4, 2021.

Abstracts. 2021 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop, Virtual, February 1-4, 2021. , Feb-2021

Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings Tahimic CGT, Dubose M, Korostenskij I, Semel M, Mhatre S, Alwood J, Shirazi-Fard Y, Lowe M, Iyer J, Puukila S, Paul A, Rubinstein L, Delp M, Goukassian D, Ronca AE. "Cardiovascular responses to simulated spaceflight: molecular signatures and surrogate outputs to measure CVD risk." 2022 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop, Virtual, February 7-10, 2022.

Abstracts. 2022 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop, Virtual, February 7-10, 2022. , Feb-2022

Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings Tahimic CGT, Dubose M, Korostenskij I, Semel M, Mhatre S, Alwood J, Shirazi-Fard Y, Lowe M, Iyer J, Puukila S, Paul A, Rubinstein L, Delp M, Goukassian D, Ronca AE. "Defining the molecular signatures of cardiovascular responses to simulated space radiation." 38th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research, Houston, TX, November 9-12, 2022.

Abstracts. 38th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research, Houston, TX, November 9-12, 2022. , Nov-2022

Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings Tahimic CGT, Dubose M, Semel M, Korostenskij I, Santos J, Krikourian O, Palatsidis I, Puukila S, Mhatre S, Iyer J, Paul A, Alwood J, Shirazi-Fard Y, Rubinstein L, Tabares Ruiz, Lowe M, Delp M, Goukassian D, Ronca AE. "Cardiovascular responses to simulated spaceflight: molecular signatures and surrogate outputs to measure CVD risk." 2023 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop, “To the Moon: The Next Golden Age of Human Spaceflight”, Galveston, TX, February 7-9, 2023.

Abstracts. 2023 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop, “To the Moon: The Next Golden Age of Human Spaceflight”, Galveston, TX, February 7-9, 2023. , Feb-2023

Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings Tahimic CGT, Brekker MA, Semel M, Korostenskij I, Santos J, Krikourian O, Kelly KMW, Palatsidis I, Puukila S, Mhatre S, Iyer J, Paul A, Alwood J, Shirazi-Fard Y, Rubinstein L, Tabares Ruiz, Lowe M, Delp M, Goukassian D, Ronca AE. "Molecular signatures of the cardiovascular response to simulated spaceflight." 39th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research, Washington, DC, November 13-18, 2023.

Abstracts. 39th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research, Washington, DC, November 13-18, 2023. , Nov-2023

Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings Tahimic CGT, Dubose M, Semel M, Korostenskij I, Santos J, Krikourian O, Palatsidis I, Puukila S, Mhatre S, Iyer J, Paul A, Alwood J, Shirazi-Fard Y, Rubinstein L, Tabares Ruiz, Lowe M, Delp M, Goukassian D, Ronca AE. "Cardiovascular responses to simulated spaceflight: molecular signatures and surrogate outputs to measure CVD risk." 2024 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop, Galveston, TX, February 13-16, 2024.

Abstracts. 2024 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop, Galveston, TX, February 13-16, 2024. , Feb-2024

Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings Tahimic CGT, Dubose M, Semel M, Korostenskij I, Santos J, Krikourian O, Palatsidis I, Puukila S, Mhatre S, Iyer J, Paul A, Alwood J, Shirazi-Fard Y, Rubinstein L, Tabares Ruiz, Lowe M, Delp M, Goukassian D, Ronca AE. "Cardiovascular responses to simulated spaceflight: molecular signatures and surrogate outputs to measure CVD risk." 2025 NASA Human Research Program Investigators' Workshop, Galveston, Texas, January 28-31, 2025.

Abstracts. 2025 NASA Human Research Program Investigators' Workshop, Galveston, Texas, January 28-31, 2025. , Jan-2025

Articles in Peer-reviewed Journals Puukila S, Siu O, Rubinstein L, Tahimic CGT, Lowe M, Tabares Ruiz S, Korostenskij I, Semel M, Iyer J, Mhatre SD, Shirazi-Fard Y, Alwood JS, Paul AM, Ronca AE. "Galactic cosmic irradiation alters acute and delayed species-typical behavior in male and female mice." Life (Basel). 2023 May 19;13(5):1214. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13051214 ; PMID: 37240858; PMCID: PMC10223209 , May-2023
Project Title:  Cardiovascular Responses to Simulated Spaceflight: Molecular Signatures and Surrogate Outputs to Measure CVD Risk Reduce
Fiscal Year: FY 2023 
Division: Human Research 
Research Discipline/Element:
HRP SR:Space Radiation
Start Date: 01/28/2021  
End Date: 03/31/2023  
Task Last Updated: 03/19/2023 
Download Task Book report in PDF pdf
Principal Investigator/Affiliation:   Tahimic, Candice Ginn Ph.D. / University of North Florida 
Address:  Department of Biology 
1 UNF Drive 
Jacksonville , FL 32224 
Email: c.tahimic@unf.edu 
Phone: 9046205629  
Congressional District:
Web:  
Organization Type: UNIVERSITY 
Organization Name: University of North Florida 
Joint Agency:  
Comments:  
Co-Investigator(s)
Affiliation: 
Goukassian, David  M.D., Ph.D. ICAHN School of Medicine at Mount Sinai 
Ronca, April  Ph.D. NASA Ames Research Center 
Project Information: Grant/Contract No. 80NSSC21K0548 
Responsible Center: NASA JSC 
Grant Monitor: Zawaski, Janice  
Center Contact:  
janice.zawaski@nasa.gov 
Unique ID: 14287 
Solicitation / Funding Source: 2019 HERO 80JSC019N0001-FLAGSHIP & OMNIBUS: Human Research Program Crew Health. Appendix A&B 
Grant/Contract No.: 80NSSC21K0548 
Project Type: Ground 
Flight Program:  
TechPort: No 
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:
Human Research Program Elements: (1) SR:Space Radiation
Human Research Program Risks: (1) Cardiovascular:Risk of Cardiovascular Adaptations Contributing to Adverse Mission Performance and Health Outcomes
(2) Immune:Risk of In Mission Impacts, Adverse Health Events or Long-Term Health Impacts due to Altered Immune Response
Human Research Program Gaps: (1) CV-102:Determine whether space radiation induces cardiovascular structural and functional adaptations and/or oxidative stress and damage (OSaD)/inflammation that contribute to an increased risk of a cardiovascular event or and disease.
(2) CV-103:Determine whether the combined effects of space radiation and altered gravity induce additive or synergistic effects on the cardiovascular system that contribute to an increased risk of a cardiovascular event or and disease.
(3) IM-101:Evaluate the effects of deep-space radiation on immune dysfunction, as an additional hazard to the effects of psychophysiological stress and weightlessness.
Flight Assignment/Project Notes: NOTE: End date changed to 03/31/2023 per NSSC information (Ed., 5/18/23).

Task Description: In this ground-based rodent study, we aim to systematically define molecular signatures of cardiovascular performance across doses of acute simulated galactic cosmic radiation (Five-ion GCR) at early and late timepoints post-exposure. We also will determine the contribution of biological sex and the combined effects of GCR and microgravity on clinically relevant and emerging measures of cardiovascular health. We hypothesize that exposure to space radiation alone or in combination with microgravity results in early and late changes in the structure, transcriptome, redox signaling, and cytokine milieu of cardiovascular tissue, some of which have known links to decreased performance, aging, and increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We further posit that other less invasive clinically relevant measures of immune, behavior, and neuromotor function will be informative towards extrapolating the effects of deep space missions on human cardiovascular health. To achieve the project goals and test the hypothesis, we will take advantage of a rare tissue sharing opportunity from a recently funded Human Research Program (HRP) study. The experiment design of this funded investigation includes a GCR dosing study on crew age-matched female and male mice (6 months old) as well as combined exposure study with simulated microgravity. A comprehensive panel of outcomes will be assessed in the funded study and includes measures of immune health, brain molecular and structural changes, behavior, anxiety, cognition, and neuromotor function. Our proposed approach is to measure clinically relevant indicators of cardiovascular performance and perform transcriptomic profiling by RNAseq to determine dose and time-dependency of cardiovascular responses. To further facilitate extrapolation of results to humans, rodent RNAseq data will be compared to publicly available human RNAseq datasets from aging and CVD progression studies. The results from analysis of rodent cardiovascular tissue also will be compared to corresponding blood data to link immune and cardiovascular changes. Further, cardiovascular findings will be interpreted in light of behavioral testing results to gain insight on any relationships between cardiovascular outcomes and changes in neuromotor, anxiety levels, and cognitive performance. The significance/impact of this study is that it contributes to increased understanding on the mechanisms of degenerative changes in cardiovascular tissue and the clinical endpoints they suggest. This study also is expected to provide insight on the latency period for radiation-induced cardiovascular changes and any sex differences in these outcomes. Lastly, our findings are expected to generate testable hypotheses for the development of countermeasures and less invasive surrogate biomarkers to monitor cardiovascular health in-flight and after return.

Research Impact/Earth Benefits: This study is expected to contribute to increased understanding on the mechanisms of spaceflight-induced degenerative changes in cardiovascular tissue and the clinical endpoints they suggest. This study also is expected to provide insight on the latency period for radiation-induced cardiovascular changes and any sex differences in these outcomes. Lastly, our findings are expected to generate testable hypotheses for the development of countermeasures and less invasive surrogate biomarkers to monitor cardiovascular health in-flight and after return. Cardiovascular deconditioning observed in spaceflight resemble aspects of cardiovascular aging and disease on Earth. Hence, this study also may prove informative in the development new therapies for cardiovascular disease on Earth.

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2023 
Task Progress: Spaceflight leads to cardiovascular deconditioning in the absence of mitigation strategies. Cardiovascular changes in response to spaceflight are attributed to altered microgravity levels and the ensuing cephalad fluid shift. Overall reductions in physical activity and other factors – such as nutritional changes, elevated CO2 levels, and a demanding workload – also may be contributing factors. Although the literature is mixed, some of the reported cardiovascular changes associated with exposure to the spaceflight environment include reductions in left ventricular mass, transient atrial distension and heart rhythm disturbances. Orthostatic intolerance and stiffer carotid arteries also have been observed in spaceflight crew upon return to Earth. Changes in venous blood flow and thrombus formation also are potential risks of spaceflight.

During deep space explorations, humans will be exposed to even longer periods of microgravity and higher doses of space radiation relative to International Space Station (ISS) missions. The development of effective countermeasures for deep space missions requires an understanding of the anticipated spectrum of cardiovascular outcomes. Human studies as described above have shed light on how the cardiovascular system responds to microgravity (and other current environmental stressors in low Earth orbit). However, there is limited information on whether cardiovascular responses to deep space radiation alone will be similar to the effects of microgravity or in combination. Therefore, in this investigation, we aimed to (1) determine radiation dose and time-dependence on measures of cardiovascular health in crew age-matched female and male mice using simulated space radiation, (2) determine the effects of simulated space radiation singly and in combination with simulated microgravity by hindlimb unloading (HU), and (3) determine whether cardiovascular changes induced by simulated space exposure or in combination with HU correlate with specific and measurable behavioral, neuromotor, and immune outcomes. The sex dependence of the responses to simulated spaceflight factors also was assessed.

Our central hypothesis is that exposure to simulated space radiation results in long-term changes to the transcriptome, redox signaling, and cytokine milieu of cardiovascular tissue, some of which have known links to aging and increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We hypothesize that exposure to simulated space radiation, in combination with simulated microgravity exacerbates cardiovascular deficits compared to single factor exposure. In our first study, female and male C57BL/6J mice (23-24 week old) were exposed to a single dose of 5, 15, and 50 cGy of 5-ion galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) or sham-treated (0 cGy). Tissues were collected at 14 days and 124 days post-GCR. In a second study, mice underwent one week of simulated microgravity by hindlimb unloading (HU) and then exposed to a single dose of 15 cGy GCR. HU was conducted for an additional two weeks post-GCR exposure. Single factor exposure groups (HU or GCR only) also were included in the study. Tissues were collected after 21 days of HU (14 days post-GCR exposure).

Collectively, our findings show long-term changes in the heart transcriptome after GCR exposure. Some of these genes are linked to the development of cardiovascular disease. A mixture of cardioprotective and CVD-associated transcriptional changes were observed. Proteins levels of a subset of CVD-relevant cytokines show sex differences, but no GCR nor HU effects. In aorta, markers for aging and mitochondrial health showed both sex and age effects. Our findings highlight the importance of sex-specific strategies in monitoring and maintaining cardiovascular health during and after deep space missions.

Bibliography: Description: (Last Updated: 06/19/2025) 

Show Cumulative Bibliography
 
 None in FY 2023
Project Title:  Cardiovascular Responses to Simulated Spaceflight: Molecular Signatures and Surrogate Outputs to Measure CVD Risk Reduce
Fiscal Year: FY 2021 
Division: Human Research 
Research Discipline/Element:
HRP SR:Space Radiation
Start Date: 01/28/2021  
End Date: 01/27/2023  
Task Last Updated: 03/08/2021 
Download Task Book report in PDF pdf
Principal Investigator/Affiliation:   Tahimic, Candice Ginn Ph.D. / University of North Florida 
Address:  Department of Biology 
1 UNF Drive 
Jacksonville , FL 32224 
Email: c.tahimic@unf.edu 
Phone: 9046205629  
Congressional District:
Web:  
Organization Type: UNIVERSITY 
Organization Name: University of North Florida 
Joint Agency:  
Comments:  
Co-Investigator(s)
Affiliation: 
Goukassian, David  M.D., Ph.D. ICAHN School of Medicine at Mount Sinai 
Ronca, April  Ph.D. NASA Ames Research Center 
Project Information: Grant/Contract No. 80NSSC21K0548 
Responsible Center: NASA JSC 
Grant Monitor: Zawaski, Janice  
Center Contact:  
janice.zawaski@nasa.gov 
Unique ID: 14287 
Solicitation / Funding Source: 2019 HERO 80JSC019N0001-FLAGSHIP & OMNIBUS: Human Research Program Crew Health. Appendix A&B 
Grant/Contract No.: 80NSSC21K0548 
Project Type: Ground 
Flight Program:  
TechPort: No 
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:  
Human Research Program Elements: (1) SR:Space Radiation
Human Research Program Risks: (1) Cardiovascular:Risk of Cardiovascular Adaptations Contributing to Adverse Mission Performance and Health Outcomes
(2) Immune:Risk of In Mission Impacts, Adverse Health Events or Long-Term Health Impacts due to Altered Immune Response
Human Research Program Gaps: (1) CV-102:Determine whether space radiation induces cardiovascular structural and functional adaptations and/or oxidative stress and damage (OSaD)/inflammation that contribute to an increased risk of a cardiovascular event or and disease.
(2) CV-103:Determine whether the combined effects of space radiation and altered gravity induce additive or synergistic effects on the cardiovascular system that contribute to an increased risk of a cardiovascular event or and disease.
(3) IM-101:Evaluate the effects of deep-space radiation on immune dysfunction, as an additional hazard to the effects of psychophysiological stress and weightlessness.
Task Description: In this ground-based rodent study, we aim to systematically define molecular signatures of cardiovascular performance across doses of acute simulated galactic cosmic radiation (Five-ion GCR) at early and late timepoints post-exposure. We also will determine the contribution of biological sex and the combined effects of GCR and microgravity on clinically relevant and emerging measures of cardiovascular health. We hypothesize that exposure to space radiation alone or in combination with microgravity results in early and late changes in the structure, transcriptome, redox signaling, and cytokine milieu of cardiovascular tissue, some of which have known links to decreased performance, aging, and increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We further posit that other less invasive clinically relevant measures of immune, behavior, and neuromotor function will be informative towards extrapolating the effects of deep space missions on human cardiovascular health. To achieve the project goals and test the hypothesis, we will take advantage of a rare tissue sharing opportunity from a recently funded Human Research Program (HRP) study. The experiment design of this funded investigation includes a GCR dosing study on crew age-matched female and male mice (6 months old) as well as combined exposure study with simulated microgravity. A comprehensive panel of outcomes will be assessed in the funded study and includes measures of immune health, brain molecular and structural changes, behavior, anxiety, cognition, and neuromotor function. Our proposed approach is to measure clinically relevant indicators of cardiovascular performance and perform transcriptomic profiling by RNAseq to determine dose and time-dependency of cardiovascular responses. To further facilitate extrapolation of results to humans, rodent RNAseq data will be compared to publicly available human RNAseq datasets from aging and CVD progression studies. The results from analysis of rodent cardiovascular tissue also will be compared to corresponding blood data to link immune and cardiovascular changes. Further, cardiovascular findings will be interpreted in light of behavioral testing results to gain insight on any relationships between cardiovascular outcomes and changes in neuromotor, anxiety levels, and cognitive performance. The significance/impact of this study is that it contributes to increased understanding on the mechanisms of degenerative changes in cardiovascular tissue and the clinical endpoints they suggest. This study also is expected to provide insight on the latency period for radiation-induced cardiovascular changes and any sex differences in these outcomes. Lastly, our findings are expected to generate testable hypotheses for the development of countermeasures and less invasive surrogate biomarkers to monitor cardiovascular health in-flight and after return.

Research Impact/Earth Benefits:

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2021 
Task Progress: New project for FY2021.

Bibliography: Description: (Last Updated: 06/19/2025) 

Show Cumulative Bibliography
 
 None in FY 2021