miRNA signature detection and countermeasures against HZE radiation exposure for tissue degeneration-Liver tissue

Biological risks associated with space radiation and microgravity are major concerns for long-term space travel. Through a Systems Biology approach our previous NASA work has shown both TGF xce xb2 signaling pathways and miRNAs have a critical impact on defining health risks with and without space irradiation. We hypothesize that circulating microRNA (miRNA) signatures are driving microvascular disease and muscle degeneration associated with accelerating aging and will be enhanced by exposure to the space environment (radiation and microgravity). We investigated this hypothesis both in vivo and in vitro and test novel antagonist therapies to these miRNA signatures as countermeasures to reduce space radiation-induced health risks. A comprehensive Systems Biology approach was used to examine the influence by high atomic number by high (H) atomic number (Z) and energy (E) (HZE) irradiation. To simulate low-dose exposure due to galactic cosmic rays (GCR) we used the ions energy and doses determined by a NASA consensus formula of 7 different ions to represent GCR (referred to as GCR sim model). To simulate high-dose radiation exposure due to solar particle events (SPE) we used an acute dose of SPE simulated beam at 1Gy which has energies ranging from 50MeV to 150MeV. C57BL/6 wild-type mice were utilized for irradiation with our established simulated microgravity model (hindlimb suspension model) and an in vitro 3D microvasculature tissue model under simulated microgravity (clinostat) conditions will also be irradiated. To expand on the circulating miRNA signature determined from our preliminary data we determined a group of conserved miRNAs which are commonly being regulated in the majority of the organs and tissues throughout the host using our established techniques. MiRNA-sequencing on serum (before IR and at time of sacrifice) liver heart and muscle tissue for all radiation groups revealed the key circulating miRNA signature (consisting of multiple miRNAs) impacting disease risk. Collectively understanding of how whole body space radiation impacts microvascular and tissue degeneration through circulating miRNAs will greatly enhance health risk prognostication and provide possible new mechanisms for protection against space radiation.