Microgravity exerts dramatic effects on cell morphology and functions, by disrupting cytoskeleton and adhesion structures, as well as by interfering with biochemical pathways and gene expression. Impairment of cells behavior has both practical and theoretical significance, given that investigations of mechanisms involved in microgravity-mediated effects may shed light on how biophysical constraints cooperate in shaping complex living systems. By exposing breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells to simulated microgravity (∼0.001 g),we observed the emergence of twomorphological phenotypes, characterized by distinctmembrane fractal values, surface area, and roundness. Moreover, the two phenotypes display different aggregation profiles and adherent behavior on the substrate. These morphological differences are mirrored by the concomitant dramatic functional changes in cell processes (proliferation, and apoptosis) and signaling pathways (ERK, AKT, and Survivin). Furthermore, cytoskeleton undergoes a dramatic reorganization, eventually leading to a very different configuration between the two populations. These findings could be considered adaptive and reversible features, given that, by culturing microgravity-exposed cells into a normal gravity field, cells are enabled to recover their original phenotype. Overall these data outline the fundamental role gravity plays in shaping form and function in living systems

Phenotypic switch induced by simulated microgravity on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells / Masiello, MARIA GRAZIA; Cucina, Alessandra; Proietti, Sara; Palombo, Alessandro; Coluccia, Pier Paolo; D'Anselmi, Fabrizio; Dinicola, Simona; Pasqualato, Alessia; Morini, Veronica; Bizzarri, Mariano. - In: BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL. - ISSN 2314-6141. - STAMPA. - 2014:(2014), pp. 1-12. [10.1155/2014/652434]

Phenotypic switch induced by simulated microgravity on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells

Maria Grazia Masiello;Alessandra Cucina;Sara Proietti;Alessandro Palombo;Pierpaolo Coluccia;Fabrizio D'Anselmi;Simona Dinicola;Alessia Pasqualato;Mariano Bizzarri
2014

Abstract

Microgravity exerts dramatic effects on cell morphology and functions, by disrupting cytoskeleton and adhesion structures, as well as by interfering with biochemical pathways and gene expression. Impairment of cells behavior has both practical and theoretical significance, given that investigations of mechanisms involved in microgravity-mediated effects may shed light on how biophysical constraints cooperate in shaping complex living systems. By exposing breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells to simulated microgravity (∼0.001 g),we observed the emergence of twomorphological phenotypes, characterized by distinctmembrane fractal values, surface area, and roundness. Moreover, the two phenotypes display different aggregation profiles and adherent behavior on the substrate. These morphological differences are mirrored by the concomitant dramatic functional changes in cell processes (proliferation, and apoptosis) and signaling pathways (ERK, AKT, and Survivin). Furthermore, cytoskeleton undergoes a dramatic reorganization, eventually leading to a very different configuration between the two populations. These findings could be considered adaptive and reversible features, given that, by culturing microgravity-exposed cells into a normal gravity field, cells are enabled to recover their original phenotype. Overall these data outline the fundamental role gravity plays in shaping form and function in living systems
2014
Analysis of Variance; Apoptosis; Cell Cycle; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival; Cytoskeletal Proteins; Female; Humans; Breast Neoplasms; Phenotype; Weightlessness Simulation; Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (all); Immunology and Microbiology (all); Medicine (all)
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Phenotypic switch induced by simulated microgravity on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells / Masiello, MARIA GRAZIA; Cucina, Alessandra; Proietti, Sara; Palombo, Alessandro; Coluccia, Pier Paolo; D'Anselmi, Fabrizio; Dinicola, Simona; Pasqualato, Alessia; Morini, Veronica; Bizzarri, Mariano. - In: BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL. - ISSN 2314-6141. - STAMPA. - 2014:(2014), pp. 1-12. [10.1155/2014/652434]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/703665
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