Tissue Regeneration in Urodela on Foton-M3
Abstract
In the experiment "Regeneration" flown on Foton-M3 in 2007 we continued our study of tissue and organ regeneration in Urodela. Special attention was given to the regulatory mechanisms that could induce peculiarities of regeneration during the spaceflight. The results obtained showed that lens regeneration in space-flown animals was synchronized and about 0.5 to 1 stage more advanced than in synchronous 1g controls. In both groups of animals cytokine FGFb expression increased in parallel with lens cell mitotic activity and was localized in the growth zone and iris of regenerating eyes. Lens regeneration was also accompanied by an increase of stress protein (HSP90) expression in retinal macroglia. Evaluation of HSP90 and FGFb expression by immuno-staining showed that it was higher in the eyes of space-flown animals than in synchronous controls. BrdU assay demonstrated incorporation of the precursor into populations of DNA synthesizing cells in both animal groups and mirrored cell growth in regenerating tissues. Tail regeneration in space-flown and synchronous control animals reached the stages IV to V. Computer morphometry showed that tail size parameters were similar though the tail area was slightly decreased in the space-flown newts. In contrast, remarkable changes in tail tip morphology were found between animal groups: flight and aquarium-control tail regenerates were identical in shape, while synchronous controls developed distinct dorsoventral asymmetry. Histological examinations suggested that morphogenetic differences were caused by different rates of epidermal cell growth in tail regenerates of newts exposed to microgravity and 1 g.
- Publication:
-
Life in Space for Life on Earth
- Pub Date:
- June 2008
- Bibcode:
- 2008ESASP.663E..77G