Expression of focal adhesion genes in mesenchymal stem cells under simulated microgravity

The expression of 84 focal adhesion genes of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MMSCs) after 96-h microgravity simulation at 3D clinorotation was studied. The upregulation of ITGA6, ITGA7, BCAR1, GRB2, CAV1, and DIAPH1 and the downregulation of ITGA11, ITGAV, ITGB1, PTEN, PTK2 (FAK), ARHGAP5, DOCK1, ROCK2, and AKT3 was found. These changes at the transcriptional level may be a cause of the reduction of the osteogenic potential of MMSCs and their ability to migration and adhesion in microgravity.