Objective: This investigation centers on the potential influence of microgravity on α-synuclein aggregation, a hallmark feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD) characterized by the formation of insoluble Lewy bodies.

Background: Despite the persistent mystery surrounding the mechanism triggering synuclein aggregation and the challenges posed by delayed PD diagnoses and protracted in vitro experiments, our study takes a pioneering approach by meticulously examining the impact of microgravity at the cellular level.

Method: Employing the SH-SY5Y cell line and a mutant 3K-SNCA clone that overexpresses an aggregation-prone α-synuclein variant to emulate PD features, microgravity conditions were induced using a clinostat at diverse temporal intervals.

Results: Notably, our quantitative analysis of synuclein and its insoluble conformations reveals a marked temporal augmentation in aggregate numbers, reaching a significant peak at 48 hours. This empirical evidence underscores the time-dependent relationship between microgravity and synuclein aggregation within cellular models.

Conclusion: Beyond providing insights into PD etiology, our findings underscore microgravity as a pivotal determinant, offering an accelerated platform for the generation of intricate cellular models pertinent to PD and aging research. The study beckons further exploration into the elucidation of mechanistic pathways associated with microgravity-induced synuclein aggregation.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/simulated-space-gravity-recapitulates-parkinsons-disease-pathology-in-neural-cell-model/