Microgravity Effects on Co-cultured Vascular Cells Types

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The goal of this study is to assess the affect of ground based microgravity on co-cultured vascular cell types. Our goal is to better understand the cross-talk between vascular cell types grown under conditions such as microgravity as is seen in space. In this pilot study, the investigator proposes to assess changes in cell phenotype and function in microgravity as compared to normal gravity.

Detailed Description
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This study builds upon previously reported space flight data in GenLab, as well as our own published data whereby the investigator evaluate the effect of microgravity on the differentiation and functional potential of circulating stem cells. The goal of this work is to leverage the powerful genetic analyses done in the SPHINX study and look at the consequences these changes have on cell-cell communications essential for vascular homeostasis, for a possible correlation to cardiovascular deconditioning. The application of this work is targeted at possible cell based countermeasures to address the negative effects of microgravity on the vasculature.

Official Title
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Microgravity Effects on Co-cultured Vascular Cells Types

Conditions
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Microgravity Exposed Endothelial Cells

Intervention / Treatment
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* Biological: Blood volume collected specifically for this study


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Self-reported healthy individuals Willingness to have 50mls of whole blood collected Exclusion Criteria: Unwillingness to have blood used in stem cell research

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 21 Years
Maximum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| self-reported healthy individuals<br>Self-reported healthy individuals avoiding blood draw on the days participants are feeling under the weatheror sick. In that case, study team can delay the blood draw until the subject feels better, but this would not preclude anyone from participating. | Biological: Blood volume collected specifically for this study<br>* The subject will be sitting in a chair, and a needle will be inserted into a vein in their arm. Study Team will draw about 45ml or 3 tablespoons of whole blood for research.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Differentiation (Colony Forming) Kinetics of normal vs microgravity cultured stem cells | The study team are interesting in the effect of co-cultured Endothelial cells on the kinetics of stem cell colony formation (i.e. differentiation). As compared to normal gravity samples, the colonies that form while in co-culture with ECs will be counted and monitored. This gives a measure of the differentiation potential of these cells. | Within 4 weeks of collecting cells | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gene and Protein expression of normal vs microgravity cultured stem cells | The study team will use rtPCR to probe the stem cells for the up regulation of Endothelial cell (EC) specific genes and down regulation of stem cell genes. EC specific genes include vascular endothelial cadherin (CD144), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM), and von Willebrand factor (vWF). Stem cell markers include CD34. The study team will use GAPDH as a control. | through study completion, up to 2 years from the start of the study | 
| Anti-thrombogenic function of normal vs microgravity cultured stem cells | The study team will utilize platelet adhesion and blood clotting assays to assess any changes in how anti-thrombogenic the differentiated endothelial cells are. | through study completion, up to 2 years from the start of the study | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Cell Culture, Microgravity co-culture