失重环境下的细胞外基质

Extracellular Matrix in Weightlessness

细胞外基质是机体细胞生命代谢活动的产物,同时又构成和提供了机体组织细胞生存与功能活动的直接微环境。细胞外基质中的一些蛋白质还可通过与其受体整合素的结合参与细胞力学信号转导。失重环境通过干扰细胞外基质与整合素的相互作用,可影响整合素下游的信号通路,最终导致细胞结构、功能及细胞命运的改变。此外,细胞外基质自身结构及其组成蛋白的表达等也受到失重环境影响。由于其本身复杂的功能和在失重条件下的适应性变化,细胞外基质蛋白作为揭示人在空间所面临生理病理变化机制的潜在目标分子,在空间生物学研究领域备受关注。

Extracellular matrix （ECM） is an essential component of stromal microenvironment both from a structural and functional of view. Combined with their receptor integrins to link with cytoskeleton, some extracellular matrix proteins have been shown to contribute to mechanotransduction. Under weightless environment, the ECM-integrin interactions and the downstream signal pathways are interfered, which would eventually affect cell structure and function, especially cell fate. On the other hand, the effects of weightlessness on expression and structure of extracellular matrix have been documented widely as well. Given the complexity of functions and diverse regulations under weightless environment, extracellular matrix has drawn the attention of many researchers as a promising target to uncover the mechanism of human physiological and pathological changes in space.