Differential expression of hsp60 and hsp70 associated with cytotoxicity under microgravity conditions.

It is known that space flight affects T lymphocyte function in both humans and animals, but there have been no papers dealing with the effect of microgravity conditions for a very short time (i.e., only 10 s). In the present study, the effect of very short time microgravity on the cytotoxicity and surface markers of human activated T lymphocytes, in vitro, was investigated using the drop-shaft type of microgravity experiment system. The levels of heat shock protein 60 and 70 (hsp60 and hsp70) were also quantified in cells exposed to these microgravity conditions. The results showed that not only the cytotoxicity but also the hsp60 levels were remarkably reduced under these conditions.