Faculty Publications

Simulate Microgravity And Hypergravity Attenuate Heart Tissue Development In Explant Culture

Document Type

Article

Keywords

Chick, Development, Embryo, Heart, Microgravity

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Cells Tissues Organs

Volume

167

Issue

2-3

First Page

171

Last Page

183

Abstract

Exposure to altered gravity may disturb the cytoskeleton-cell surface- extracellular matrix (ECM) interface of embryonic cells. Development of organs such as the heart depends on dynamic interactions across cell surfaces. Fibronectin (FN), for example, a glycoprotein that links the ECM to the cytoskeleton through integrin surface receptors, is required for normal heart development. Thus, altered gravity may perturb organogenesis. We cultured precardiac explants from chick embryos in a rotating bioreactor vessel to simulate microgravity (μG), or in a tissue culture centrifuge, for 18 h during heart development. Bioreactor μG did not alter external morphology of explants, but did significantly reduce the proportion that developed contractions. Immunostaining for FN of explant sections showed that it also significantly reduced the linear extent of staining present in basement membrane regions. Analysis of ultrastructure revealed a significant reduction in the number of desmosomes per unit area and other differences. Hypergravity dramatically abolished development of contractions and altered morphogenesis. The results indicate a probable sensitivity of cardiomyogenic development involving FN to altered gravity. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Department

Department of Biology

Original Publication Date

1-1-2000

DOI of published version

10.1159/000016780

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