Low dose (0.04 Gy) irradiation (LDR) and hindlimb unloading (HLU) microgravity in mice: brain transcriptomic and epigenomic data

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate damage in brain and eye in a ground-based model for spaceflight which includes prolonged unloading and low-dose radiation. Low-dose/Low-dose-rate (LDR) gamma-radiation using 57Co plates (0.04 Gy) was delivered whole-body to mature, 6-month old female C57BL/6 mice to simulate the radiation component. Anti-orthostatic tail suspension was used to model the unloading, fluid shift, and physiological stress aspects of the microgravity component. Mice were hindlimb suspended and/or irradiated for 21 days. Tissues were collected at 7 days, 1, 4 and 9 months following simulated microgravity. Herein we proposed to use omics-based molecular phenotyping approach for identification and characterization of genomic signatures in multiple organ system associated with low-dose radiation and simulated microgravity.

本研究旨在评估涵盖长期失重性卸载与低剂量辐射的航天地面模拟模型中，脑与眼部所受的损伤。采用钴57（57Co）源板产生的低剂量/低剂量率（Low-dose/Low-dose-rate, LDR）γ辐射（总剂量0.04 Gy），对6月龄成熟雌性C57BL/6小鼠实施全身照射，以模拟航天辐射组分。通过抗体位性尾部悬吊法，模拟微重力环境相关的失重性卸载、体液转移与生理应激效应。小鼠接受为期21天的后肢悬吊、辐射照射或二者联合处理。分别于模拟微重力处理后的第7天、1个月、4个月及9个月采集组织样本。本研究拟采用组学（omics）分子表型分析方法，鉴定并表征与低剂量辐射及模拟微重力相关的多器官系统基因组特征。