Exploring the impact of space on boundary cap neural crest stem cells (bNCSCs) pancreatic islets interaction and β-cell proliferation

Stem cells are attractive for cell replacement therapies and tissue repair.

Our previous research has shown that boundary cap neural crest stem cells (BC), are able to induce proliferation of insulin producing β-cells from pancreatic islets. β-cells normally have no proliferation capacity, implying that loss of β-cells, the process which underlies diabetes type 1, cannot be repaired by endogenous mechanisms.

Specifically, we have found that β-cell proliferation induced by immature BC, and requires direct BC-β-cell contact. Furthermore, we showed that BC produced a number of trophic factors supporting β-cell survival. Therefore, a prolonged maintenance of BC in an undifferentiated stage may result in increased β-cell mass.

Recently, we sent BC to space in the Sounding Rocket MASER 14. The cells successfully survived in free-floating conditions and in 3D printed scaffolds. In parallel, BC were subjected to control ground-based experiments.

We showed that Space BC (SBC) possess an extremely high capacity to proliferate, significantly greater than all earth controls.

This suggests that space conditions can affect β-cell proliferation and that the effect of BC on β-cell proliferation could also be increased.

Furthermore, the pattern of gene expression in SBC indicates that they increase secretion of growth factors and acquire previously unknown properties.

Here, we aim to determine the effect of altered gravity and microgravity conditions on β-cell proliferation in BC-pancreatic islets co-cultures in free form and in 3D bioprinted constructs in Sounding Rocket. Corresponding control experiments are conducted on ground.

After space voyage, the specimens are subjected to gene expression analysis to elucidate the mechanism for “space memory”, which was detected from our previous experiment, as well as to secretomic analysis and follow-up physiological experiments.

Finally, the findings from these experiments will be implemented in 3D bioprinting technology to develop a pancreatic islet “organoid” (NeuroBeta).