Membranes (Apr 2022)

RCCS Bioreactor-Based Modeled Microgravity Affects Gastric Cancer Cells and Improves the Chemotherapeutic Effect

  • Nina Rembiałkowska,
  • Dagmara Baczyńska,
  • Magda Dubińska-Magiera,
  • Anna Choromańska,
  • Katarzyna Bieżuńska-Kusiak,
  • Agnieszka Gajewska-Naryniecka,
  • Vitalij Novickij,
  • Jolanta Saczko,
  • Dawid Przystupski,
  • Julita Kulbacka

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12050448
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 5
p. 448

Abstract

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(1) Background: The main purpose of the study was to determine whether altered gravity might alter cell viability, improve drug delivery and modulate the expression of drug resistance-related genes. (2) Methods: This study investigated the intracellular mechanisms activated by microgravity in human resistant and sensitive gastric cancer cells (EPG85-257 RDB) and (EPG85-257 P). We used a rotary cell culture system (RCCS) developed by NASA to expose cells to altered gravity. The antitumor potential of microgravity was simulated by the RCCS bioreactor, and its effectiveness was evaluated in sensitive cell lines compared to chemotherapy-resistant cells concerning drug-sensitive cancer cells. Microgravity with chemotherapy was estimated by the viability assay, cytoskeleton imaging, MDR (multidrug resistance) gene expression analysis, MTCO-1 (mitochondrially encoded cytochrome C oxidase I), and 8-OHdG immunocytochemical analysis. (3) Results: We found that altered gravity combined with doxorubicin was cytotoxic to cancer cells. Cells following simulated microgravity revealed decreased expression of genes related to drug resistance and increased DNA/RNA damage marker expression. Cytoskeleton evaluation demonstrated significant reorganization of F-actin fibers after exposure to changed gravity conditions. (4) Conclusions: Intracellular alterations caused by simulated microgravity can increase gastric cancer cells’ sensitivity to chemotherapy. We have obtained satisfactory results showing the correlation between altered gravity and MDR phenomena which seems promising in future therapeutic applications.

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