Decrease of Tie1 and VCAM-1 Genes Expression in Microgravity Condition: New Strategy for Study and Treatment of Atherosclerosis Disease

VCAM-1 and Tie1 are endothelial molecule and receptor, respectively that may participate in atherosclerosis disease. Endothelial cells are very sensitive to mechanical forces, including microgravity and the morphological and functional changes in this condition. To examine the effect of gravity on atherosclerosis disease, we analyzed the expression of VCAM-1 and Tie1 genes in microgravity condition in HUVEC cells.
The research method was experimental. HUVEC cells purchased from Pastor Institute. We used a clinostat to simulate microgravity condition for 2, 24 and 72 hours. Real time PCR technique was used for gene expression analysis after extraction of RNA from cells.
Our results showed that microgravity led to a significant decrease in gene expression of VCAM-1 and Tie1 (p It seems that weightlessness has a positive impact on reducing the factors causing atherosclerosis and can be used as a new strategy in the treatment of the atherosclerosis disease. Microgravity also can be used to study development and progression of vascular disease.