Culture of human cells in experimental units for spaceflight impacts on their behavior.

Because space missions produce pathophysiological alterations such as cardiovascular disorders and bone demineralization which are very common on Earth, biomedical research in space is a frontier that holds important promises not only to counterbalance space-associated disorders in astronauts but also to ameliorate the health of Earth-bound population. Experiments in space are complex to design. Cells must be cultured in closed cell culture systems (from now defined experimental units (EUs)), which are biocompatible, functional, safe to minimize any potential hazard to the crew, and with a high degree of automation.

Burning magnesium, a sparkle in acute inflammation: gleams from experimental models.

Magnesium contributes to the regulation of inflammatory responses. Here, we focus on the role of magnesium in acute inflammation. Although present knowledge is incomplete to delineate an accurate scenario and a schedule of the events occurring under magnesium deficiency, it emerges that low magnesium status favors the induction of acute inflammation by sensitizing sentinel cells to the noxious agent, and then by participating to the orchestration of the vascular and cellular events that characterize the process.

Short- and long-term effects of silver nanoparticles on human microvascular endothelial cells.

Aim: To study the response to silver nanoparticles (Ag NP) of human microvascular endothelial cells, protagonists of angiogenesis.

Methods: We cultured human microvascular endothelial cells and endothelial colony-forming cells in their corresponding growth medium. Stock solutions of Ag NP were prepared in culture medium and sonicated before use.

Downregulation of HD-PTP by high magnesium concentration: novel insights into magnesium-induced endothelial migration.

Magnesium promotes endothelial migration, an event which is orchestrated by a complex interplay between protein tyrosine kinases and phosphatases. We found that high extracellular concentrations of magnesium do not modulate the levels and the activation of FAK and Src, two tyrosine kinases involved in driving cell migration. Interestingly, we show that magnesium induced-endothelial motility correlates with the downregulation of HD-PTP, a potential tyrosine phopshatase previously shown to be involved in modulating cell migration.