Task Progress:
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Astronauts on long space mission are exposed to prolonged exposure to space radiation which causes serious cardiovascular disease. However, there are no effective countermeasures to prevent or intervene ionizing radiation induced cardiovascular complications. The objective of current TRISH fellowship is to develop novel and effective countermeasure against ionizing radiation-induced cardiovascular injury using induced pluripotent stem cells derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs).
iPSC-CMs from three different donors (comparable to astronaut demographics = Caucasian, male, 30s) were exposed to the different dose or X-rays radiation (0, 2, 5, 10 Gy) and various molecular parameters (viability, DNA-damage, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function) were measured at different times post irradiation (1 hour, 1 day, 3 day) and correlated the functional changes (beating rate, contraction velocity, relaxation velocity) at 14 days post irradiation. Prevailing mitochondrial dysfunction was observed at 3 days post irradiation and co-treatment with antioxidant significantly restored mitochondrial function in irradiated iPSC-CMs. Using oxidative stress as a primary screening parameter, we identified genistein or simvastatin robustly reversed reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in iPSC-CMs following irradiation.
We will further validate the efficacy of genistein and/or simvastatin on advanced 3D culture system (engineered heart tissues) or in a mouse model of radiation induced heart disease in upcoming 2022-2023 TRISH year. A successful completion of this postdoctoral fellowship study will provide (i) study results of chronic space radiation exposure on human hearts and (ii) development of novel radioprotective countermeasure against space radiation-induced injuries. Reducing uncertainties in cardiovascular risks against space radiation will accelerate a humanity’s dream to travel space.
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