Transcriptomic analysis of human adult and neonatal cardiovascular progenitor cells cultured aboard the ISS for 30 days

Human adult and neonatal cardiovascular progenitor cells were cultured aboard the International Space Station for 30-days before returning to Earth live for RNA collection. The transcriptome of cells cultured in space was compared to the transcriptome of clonally identical cells cultured on Earth. Using Qiagen IPA, DAVID, StemChecker, and DIANA mirPath, we demonstrate that in response to microgravity, cells present with elevated transcripts related to stemness and cell proliferation. Additionally, transcripts related to cell cycle re-entry, cardiovascular development, and oxidative stress were induced as well as relevant proliferation signaling pathways.