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Feeding Frequency Affects Cultured Rat Pituitary Cells in Low GravityIn this report, we describe the results of a rat pituitary cell culture experiment done on STS-65 in which the effect of cell feeding on the release of the six anterior pituitary hormones was studied. We found complex microgravity related interactions between the frequency of cell feeding and the quantity and quality (i.e. biological activity) of some of the six hormones released in flight. Analyses of growth hormone (GH) released from cells into culture media on different mission days using gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography yielded qualitatively similar results between ground and flight samples. Lack of cell feeding resulted in extensive cell clumping in flight (but not ground) cultures. Vigorous fibroblast growth occurred in both ground and flight cultures fed 4 times. These results are interpreted within the context of autocrine and or paracrine feedback interactions. Finally the payload specialist successfully prepared a fresh trypsin solution in microgravity, detached the cells from their surface and reinserted them back into the culture chamber. These cells reattached and continued to release hormone in microgravity. In summary, this experiment shows that pituitary cells are microgravity sensitive and that coupled operations routinely associated with laboratory cel1 culture can also be accomplished in low gravity.
Document ID
19970026255
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Hymer, W. C.
(Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA United States)
Grindeland, R. E.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Salada, T.
(Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA United States)
Cenci, R.
(Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA United States)
Krishnan, K.
(Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA United States)
Mukai, C.
(National Space Development Agency Ibaraki, Japan)
Nagaoka, S.
(National Space Development Agency Ibaraki, Japan)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1996
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Biotechnology
Publisher: Elsevier Science B. V.
Volume: 47
ISSN: 0168-1656
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
NASA-CR-205103
NAS 1.26:205103
Meeting Information
Meeting: American Society of Gravitational and Space Biology
Location: Washington, DC
Country: United States
Start Date: January 1, 1995
Accession Number
97N25586
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCC2-370
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG8-953
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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