Modulation of cell-to-cell adhesion and interaction with the extracellular matrix in microgravity conditions

We present an experimental strategy to dissect the effects of simulated microgravity on the interaction between cells and extracellular matrix. The protocol encompasses morphological and transcriptomic analyses on human neural progenitor cells (hNSPCs) cultured in flasks coated with poly-l-ornithine and laminin matrix at low density and subjected to microgravity simulation. High-density cultures subjected to microgravity or grown under normal gravity without a matrix are also analyzed as controls. The experimental approach could be adapted to different cell types by changing the extracellular matrix composition and the culture medium accordingly.