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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Establishment and Validation of a Novel Microgravity Simulation Platform for Ground-Based Animal Experiments

  • Chetali Gurung1,2
  • Junfeng Li1,2
  • Bin Teng1,2
  • Dong Liang1
  • Jian V. Zhang1,2
  • Pei-Gen Ren2,3
  1. 1Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
  2. 2Shenzhen College of Advanced Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
  3. 3Research Center for Cancer Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
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Abstract

Ground-based analog models, such as the hindlimb unloading (HU) technique, have been used for several decades in simulating microgravity effects on musculoskeletal studies. However, this model has seen limited technological advancement in several aspects. Here, the design and validation of the Microgravity Simulated Platform (MSP), a refined evolution of the classic HU model, is presented. The multipurpose engineered MSP apparatus is designed to overcome key limitations of existing models by enabling simultaneous study of a larger number of mice in compact space, with fewer lesions, less inflammation, and central axis rotation control that offers potential for future hypergravity studies. This study presents a comparative analysis with the HU and normal WT (NOR) models and demonstrates that the MSP recapitulates the classic physiological markers of disuse observed during spaceflight, particularly in the musculoskeletal system. Critically, the results indicate that the MSP not only provides a comparable simulation of microgravity-induced effects but also offers enhancements in experimental consistency and animal well-being. In conclusion, the MSP represents a significant advancement in ground-based space life sciences research, providing a more refined, efficient, high-throughput, and extensible platform for elucidating the pathophysiological mechanisms of mechanical unloading and for testing prospective countermeasures.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{gurung2026establishment,
  title = {{Establishment and Validation of a Novel Microgravity Simulation Platform for Ground-Based Animal Experiments}},
  author = {Chetali Gurung and Junfeng Li and Bin Teng and Dong Liang and Jian V. Zhang and Pei-Gen Ren},
  journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3390/ijms27198806},
  url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/19/8806},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Establishment and Validation of a Novel Microgravity Simulation Platform for Ground-Based Animal Experiments
AU  - Chetali Gurung
AU  - Junfeng Li
AU  - Bin Teng
AU  - Dong Liang
AU  - Jian V. Zhang
AU  - Pei-Gen Ren
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/01
JO  - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
DO  - 10.3390/ijms27198806
UR  - https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/19/8806
AB  - Ground-based analog models, such as the hindlimb unloading (HU) technique, have been used for several decades in simulating microgravity effects on musculoskeletal studies. However, this model has seen limited technological advancement in several aspects. Here, the design and validation of the Microgravity Simulated Platform (MSP), a refined evolution of the classic HU model, is presented. The multipurpose engineered MSP apparatus is designed to overcome key limitations of existing models by enabling simultaneous study of a larger number of mice in compact space, with fewer lesions, less inflammation, and central axis rotation control that offers potential for future hypergravity studies. This study presents a comparative analysis with the HU and normal WT (NOR) models and demonstrates that the MSP recapitulates the classic physiological markers of disuse observed during spaceflight, particularly in the musculoskeletal system. Critically, the results indicate that the MSP not only provides a comparable simulation of microgravity-induced effects but also offers enhancements in experimental consistency and animal well-being. In conclusion, the MSP represents a significant advancement in ground-based space life sciences research, providing a more refined, efficient, high-throughput, and extensible platform for elucidating the pathophysiological mechanisms of mechanical unloading and for testing prospective countermeasures.
SN  - 1422-0067
ER  -