Stem cells are special in the way they can continue to multiply and turn themselves into many other cell types. Now scientists have discovered how their superpowers get a remarkable boost when grown in space.
The microgravity environment further enhances some of the regenerative capabilities of stem cells, researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Florida have found, based on experiments conducted on the International Space Station (ISS).
Because stem cells play such a crucial role in the body’s repair process, with their ability to rapidly multiply and differentiate, these findings could aid research into disease prevention and treatment.
“Studying stem cells in space has revealed cell mechanisms that would otherwise go unnoticed or unknown under normal gravity,” says pathologist Abba Zubair of the Mayo Clinic.
“That discovery indicates broader scientific value for this research, including potential clinical applications.”
On board the ISS, the team looked specifically at the behavior of adult stem cells, which are more limited in the way they divide and transform compared to embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells are often grown outside the body by scientists to study and treat diseases, but it is a challenging, time-consuming and expensive process.
What this study shows is that space labs could solve some of these problems. A variety of stem cell types were tested, with positive results for all: for example, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were found to be better at controlling immune system responses and reducing inflammation when grown in microgravity.
For several of the stem cell types tested, the scientists observed general improvements in the way the cells expanded, and in the stability of their replication, even after their return to Earth. There is still much more work to be done here, but the potential is there to grow stem cells in greater numbers and faster in microgravity.
“The space environment provides an advantage for the growth of stem cells by providing a more natural three-dimensional state for their expansion, very similar to the growth of cells in the human body,” says Zubair.
“That’s compared to the two-dimensional culture environment available on Earth, which is less likely to imitate human tissue.”
Normally, our adult stem cells are able to control the normal wear and tear of the body. However, when something goes wrong, an additional infusion of lab-grown cells can make all the difference – as numerous emerging therapies have shown.
The team behind the research is also confident that space-grown cells will help treat conditions associated with aging, including stroke, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia.
“The space research conducted so far is just a starting point,” says Zubair. “A broader perspective on stem cell applications is possible as research continues to explore the use of space to advance regenerative medicine.”
The research was published in NPJ Microgravity.
