涉及宇航员和动物模型的最新研究结果表明，微重力会增加免疫细胞的活性，并可能改变中枢神经系统 (CNS) 的白质和灰质。为了进一步研究微重力对中枢神经系统细胞的影响，我们建立了含有同基因小胶质细胞（大脑常驻免疫细胞）的三维神经类器官培养物，并将它们送上国际空间站。当使用来自受神经炎症和神经退行性疾病（例如多发性硬化症（MS）和帕金森病（PD））影响的个体的诱导多能干细胞（iPSC）系时，这些培养物可以为微重力可能加剧的致病途径提供新的见解。我们设计了一种冷冻培养策略，使类器官能够在太空旅行和国际空间站 (ISS) 上得以维持，而无需进行培养基或二氧化碳交换。在这里，我们全面描述了所涉及的所有步骤：生成各种类型的神经类器官，建立长期培养物，安排运送到肯尼迪航天中心（KSC）的计划，并最终准备将类器官发射到近地轨道(LEO) 并返回地球进行飞行后分析。© 2024。Springer Science Business Media, LLC。

Recent findings from studies involving astronauts and animal models indicate that microgravity increases immune cell activity and potentially alters the white and gray matter of the central nervous system (CNS). To further investigate the impact of microgravity on CNS cells, we established cultures of three-dimensional neural organoids containing isogenic microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, and sent them onboard the International Space Station. When using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from individuals affected by neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease (PD), these cultures can provide novel insights into pathogenic pathways that may be exacerbated by microgravity. We have devised a cryovial culture strategy that enables organoids to be maintained through space travel and onboard the International Space Station (ISS) without the need for medium or carbon dioxide exchange. Here, we provide a comprehensive description of all the steps involved: generating various types of neural organoids, establishing long-term cultures, arranging plans for shipment to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), and ultimately preparing organoids for launch into low-Earth orbit (LEO) and return to Earth for post-flight analyses.© 2024. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.