Transcriptomic changes in human umbilical cord blood endothelial cells under simulated microgravity

Abstract

Microarray analysis of cultured endothelial cells was performed 24 h after simulated microgravity. A significant change in the expression of 177 genes that can be classified into several functional clusters was detected. Among the genes with overexpression, clusters of cell response to external stimuli and regulation of cell motility and proliferation can be reliably distinguished. Among down-regulated genes, clusters of transcription factors with the “zinc fingers” domain and factors involved in the regulation of morphogenesis and angiogenesis were distinguished. The overlapping of signaling pathways involved in mechanotransduction and inflammatory changes is discussed.