Emerging Role of Exosomal Long Non-coding RNAs in Spaceflight-Associated Risks in Astronauts

During spaceflight, astronauts are exposed to multiple unique environmental factors, particularly microgravity and ionizing radiation, that can cause a range of harmful health consequences. Over the past decades, increasing evidence demonstrates that the space environment can induce changes in gene expression and RNA processing. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) represent an emerging area of focus in molecular biology as they modulate chromatin structure and function, the transcription of neighboring genes, and affect RNA splicing, stability, and translation. They have been implicated in cancer development and associated with diverse cardiovascular conditions and associated risk factors. However, their role on astronauts' health after spaceflight remains poorly understood. In this perspective article, we provide new insights into the potential role of exosomal lncRNA after spaceflight. We analyzed the transcriptional profile of exosomes isolated from peripheral blood plasma of three astronauts who flew on various Shuttle missions between 1998-2001 by RNA-sequencing. Computational analysis of the transcriptome of these exosomes identified 27 differentially expressed lncRNAs with a Log(2) fold change, with molecular, cellular, and clinical implications.

Automated summary

During spaceflight, astronauts are exposed to unique environmental factors such as microgravity and ionizing radiation, which can have harmful health consequences. Recent evidence suggests that the space environment can affect gene expression and RNA processing, with long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) emerging as a key regulator. However, the role of lncRNA in astronauts' health after spaceflight remains poorly understood. In this study, the authors analyzed the transcriptome of exosomes from the peripheral blood of astronauts and identified differentially expressed lncRNAs with potential molecular, cellular, and clinical implications.