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Biol 1615
3/26/17
in astronauts
As we age our bones start to deteriorate which is the process where the bones become
fragile because of loss of bone mineral density. The deterioration of the bones could lead to
increased fractures and bone fragility. (NIAMSD, Osteoporosis Overview 2015) This is a
problem when it comes to space travel and scientists believe the cause of this is because of
radiation exposure, microgravity, and inflammatory stimuli in the bones. Researchers at Boise
State University hypothesize that simulated microgravity alters osteoblast OSM signaling,
The Effect of OSM on MC3T3-E1 Osteoblastic Cells in Simulated Microgravity with Radiation)
The experiment started off by obtaining a cell culture from subclone 4 mouse pre-
osteoblast cell line and an osteosarcoma cell line. Supplements such as 10% fetal bovine serum
and 100 U/Ml each of penicillin and streptomycin were used on these cells. The cells were
maintained at a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius, 5% carbon dioxide, and 95% humidity. Next,
they purchase microcarriers which were hydrated in phosphate buffered saline and was
autoclaved for 20 minutes at 121 degree Celsius. They washed the microcarriers out then they
transferred to culture medium to begin seeding cells. After seeding, they initiated the testing by
inducing osteogenic differentiation by giving the cells more ascorbic acid and phosphate buffer
at a Ph of 7.4. They also induced OSM signaling by supplementing the cells with recombinant
mouse OSM.
How they tested if microgravity did have an effect on bone deterioration is by using the
RCCS or Rotary Cell Culture System. This system would put the cultured cells through a
gravitational low shear stress by rotating. They tested radiation first off by transferring the cells
into a sterile concentration of Cytopore and was exposed to 1 Gy at 364 rad/s. They extracted the
RNA from the cells and was tested if the radiation had an effect. They used alizarin red stain to
The experiment results showed that microgravity and radiation both increased osteoblast
combination of both did show osteolysis and microgravity did show the promotion of bone loss.
The results of this experiment did conclude that the hypothesis was correct. The simulated
microgravity mixed with radiation did promote osteolysis and bone loss. It was also included that
the RCCS could not produce osteoid. The reason they believe is because the microcarriers was in
constant motion and the shear force had an effect on it as well. They believed if they wouldve
The research has been concluded that microgravity and exposure to radiation both show
bone loss. The experiment gives us a better understanding what causes bone deterioration during
space travel. This is one of the reasons why we cannot explore any further into space. It was said
that Each month in space, astronauts lose approximately 1% of bone mineral density. (Goyden,
The Effect of OSM on MC3T3-E1 Osteoblastic Cells in Simulated Microgravity with Radiation) This,
of course, affects the community of space travelers and this experiment gives us a better
Goyden, Jake, Ken Tawara, Danielle Hedeen, Jeffrey S. Willey, Julia Thom Oxford, and Cheryl L.
Jorcyk. "The Effect of OSM on MC3T3-E1 Osteoblastic Cells in Simulated Microgravity with
NIAMSD. "Osteoporosis Overview." National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health and
<https://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/overview.asp>.