Researchers from the Mayo Clinic indicate that stem cells cultivated in microgravity on the International Space Station (ISS) exhibit special properties which might accelerate the development of new biotherapies and aid in curing complex diseases. Their study, authored by Fay Abdul Ghani and Dr. Abba Zubair, and published in NPJ Microgravity, reveals that microgravity has the potential to enhance the regenerative capabilities of cells. Dr. Zubair is a specialist in laboratory medicine and serves as the medical director for the Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics at Mayo Clinic in Florida, while Abdul Ghani functions as a research technologist at the clinic. Microgravity refers to the condition of near-weightlessness or almost zero gravity.
“Researching stem cells in a space environment has revealed cellular mechanisms that we may not discover or understand under normal gravity,” says Dr. Zubair. “Such findings suggest significant scientific implications, including possible clinical uses.”
Dr. Zubair has initiated stem cell studies through three separate missions to the ISS from his lab. His review article explores the question, “Is space the perfect setting for expanding large quantities of stem cells?” A major concern is whether space-grown cells will retain their functionality and robustness upon returning to Earth.
“The primary aim of almost all space missions focused on stem cells is to promote the growth of substantial amounts of safe, high-quality clinical-grade stem cells with minimal differentiation,” observes Dr. Zubair. “Our goal is to explore these space-cultivated cells to enhance treatments for age-related illnesses such as strokes, dementia, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer.”
The difficulties of cultivating stem cells on Earth
Adult stem cells found in bone marrow and fat tissue do not readily divide or transform into specialized types of cells. Consequently, the quantity of available adult stem cells is restricted in any given patient. To acquire sufficient stem cells for clinical trials or patient treatments, researchers must amplify and proliferate these cells, a process that is both costly and time-intensive with unpredictable outcomes.
Insights gained from research aboard the ISS have shed light on how cells replicate, function, and develop into specialized types. Notably, they’ve found that microgravity promotes superior cell growth and function compared to those cultivated in Earth-bound laboratories.
“The space environment benefits the growth of stem cells by replicating a more natural three-dimensional structure, akin to how cells expand in the human body. This contrasts with the two-dimensional culture conditions available on Earth that are less likely to reflect human tissue,” explains Dr. Zubair.
Insights gained from space-grown stem cells
The primary benefit of this stellar stem cell research may lie in generating tissues for disease modeling. Stem cells grown in space could facilitate the development of realistic models of cancers and various diseases in petri dishes, enabling researchers to monitor disease progression and evaluate potential new treatments.
A thorough review of studies from the Mayo Clinic and other scientific institutions indicates that research conducted in space has potential applications that extend well beyond the laboratory. Several stem cell lines cultivated in microgravity show promising clinical applications:
- Mesenchymal stem cells are adult stem cells that produce growth factors and have healing potential. Dr. Zubair’s team recorded that mesenchymal stem cells expanded in microgravity exhibit greater immunosuppressive properties compared to their Earth-grown counterparts.
- Hematopoietic stem cells possess the ability to regenerate blood for fighting infections, halting bleeding, and transporting oxygen. Those grown on the ISS demonstrated capabilities to expand and differentiate into red or white blood cells, which could eventually help manage blood cancers.
- Cardiovascular progenitor cells are foundational for blood vessels and heart tissue, playing an essential role in muscle repair. Cultivating these cells in space might one day present novel solutions for repairing damage caused by heart attacks.
- Neural stem cells are crucial for brain development and repair, found in the central nervous system. Neural cells that expanded in a microgravity setting retained their regenerative abilities once back on Earth. Researchers are examining whether these space-grown neural cells could serve as a replacement therapy for central nervous system disorders.
Barriers to treatment
Despite the exciting prospects of stem cell research in space, scientists confront numerous challenges. Cells may lose strength and functionality after prolonged exposure to microgravity. Additionally, space radiation could potentially harm DNA and influence cell growth. There’s concern about whether cells cultivated in space might become cancerous; however, Dr. Zubair’s team has not found evidence of chromosomal damage that could lead to cancer in the mesenchymal stem cells grown in space.
Currently, stem cell studies in the cosmos are in their infancy, and the complete repercussions of cultivating cells in a microgravity environment are not entirely understood. Additional scientific research, data, and funding are necessary for a comprehensive understanding of the clinical prospects of stem cells expanded in space.
“The research conducted in space thus far is merely a foundation. A more expansive view of stem cell applications is feasible as research continues to investigate the use of space to enhance regenerative medicine,” concludes Dr. Zubair.
This research was funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Mayo Clinic’s Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics.
