Influence of Real and Simulated Microgravity on the Early Development of Mammalian Embryonic Stem Cells

Active exploration of cosmic area makes it relevant not only to understand physiological changes in microgravity conditions, but also to decipher the mechanisms of their development at the cellular level. The development of gravitational biology and cell physiology can help to understand the processes occurring at the organismal level when the gravitational factor changes, as well as the mechanisms of mechanosensitivity. The purpose of this review is to systematize knowledge about the most significant studies in vitro described changes in cultured mammalian embryonic stem cells (ESCs) both under real microgravity conditions and when simulating its effects on Earth. Analysis of the literature data revealed that spaceflight did not reduce the pluripotency of cells, but produced changes in their transcriptome. Mesodermal differentiation of ESCs occurred normally, but the early development of the cardiovascular system under simulated and real microgravity conditions was slowed down. Real microgravity promoted an increase in cardiomyocyte contractions in embryoid bodies and suppressed the expression of genes responsible for pluripotency, which can lead to disturbances in further development in the later stages of embryogenesis.