Abstract: Bone marrow progenitor cells ensure the maintenance of hematopoiesis and bone tissue homeostasis. During spaceflight, they are exposed to microgravity and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are present in the atmosphere aboard a crewed spacecraft. While both factors are known to individually impair osteogenesis and hematopoiesis, their combined effects remain insufficiently studied. The aim of this study was to assess the functional state of bone marrow progenitor cells and bone tissue in Wistar rats under combined exposure to hindlimb unloading (HLU) and VOCs. The experiment employed a 14day HLU model combined with inhalation exposure to a mixture of VOCs characteristic of the International Space Station atmosphere. We assessed the number of isolated bone marrow cells, clonogenic, proliferative, and differentiation potential of stromal progenitors, their paracrine and transcriptional activity, as well as the number of hematopoietic colonyforming units (CFUs). HLU and VOC co-exposure was found to decrease the number of fibroblast colonyforming units (CFUF) in the bone marrow, reduce the division capacity of stromal progenitors, suppress their osteogenic potential, and enhance adipogenesis. A reduction in the number of erythroid and lymphoid hematopoietic CFUs was also observed. The exposure was accompanied by the formation of a proresorptive paracrine profile and proinflammatory activation of bone marrow and bone tissue cells. Transcriptional analysis revealed the upregulation of genes associated with bone matrix degradation and osteogenesis suppression, along with the downregulation of osteogenic commitment genes. Additionally, the downregulation of Cxcr4 and Cxcl12 gene expression was recorded, indicating a disruption of the bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell niche. Thus, the combined exposure to mechanical HLU and VOCs leads to a pro-resorptive shift in bone tissue homeostasis and altered regulation of hematopoiesis.

Cite: Markina E.A. , Barantseva M.Y. , Lobanova M.V. , Tyrina E.A. , Bobyleva P.I. , Buravkova L.B.
Molecular and Cellular Changes in Progenitor Cells of the Rat Bone Marrow Niche during a Simulation of Spaceflight Factors
Journal of Evolutionary Biochemistry and Physiology. 2026. V.62. N5. P.1614–1626. DOI: 10.1134/S0022093026050169 OpenAlex

Dates:

Submitted:	May 27, 2026
Accepted:	Aug 26, 2026
Published online:	Oct 11, 2026

Identifiers:

OpenAlex:

W7221057350

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