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Female transcriptomic responses to simulated microgravity in a dry immersion model: insights into TP53-regulated stress pathway

Sheikha Alshehhi, Catherine Taylor, Amal Jangjoo, Zeinab Ibrahim and 5 more

npj Microgravity | Aug 13, 2026

Abstract

Abstract

Dry immersion (DI) serves as a validated analogue for microgravity, yet transcriptomic responses in women have been scarcely studied. Here, we present a TP53-focused transcriptomics re-analysis of female participants following 5 days of DI, highlighting TP53-related stress responses relevant to astronaut health. RNA-seq data were generated from blood samples collected from 18 healthy women at baseline (BDC-1), day 2 (DI2), day 5 (DI5), and post-recovery (R + 1). Differential gene expression and pathway enrichment analyses assessed timepoint-specific transcriptional changes, with emphasis on TP53 regulation. Principal component analysis showed timepoint-dependent divergence, with the most significant alterations occurring at DI5 and a partial reversion by R + 1. TP53 targets linked to DNA repair ( GADD45A, DDB2 ), oxidative defence ( SESN1, TP53I3 ), and apoptosis ( BAX, BBC3 ) were upregulated during immersion. Pathway responses included activation of hypoxia and interferon signalling, and suppression of haem metabolism and coagulation. Together, these findings provide insight into female molecular adaptation to short-term unloading, highlighting a swift yet reversible TP53 response accompanied by immune, metabolic, and vascular adaptations. These observations advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying women’s physiological responses to unloading and support the development of sex-informed precision health strategies for future space missions.

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Authors

Researchers on this paper

Sheikha Alshehhi

first | University of Dubai

Catherine Taylor

middle | Simon Fraser University

Amal Jangjoo

middle | University of Dubai

Zeinab Ibrahim

middle | Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences

Andrew P. Blaber

middle | Simon Fraser University

Hanan Al Suwaidi

middle | Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences

Nelson C. Soares

middle | Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences

Mohamed el-hadidi

middle | University of Dubai

Nandu Goswami

last | Medical University of Graz | ORCID 0000-0002-6704-0723

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Citation

BibTeX

@article{Alshehhi2026Female,
  title = {Female transcriptomic responses to simulated microgravity in a dry immersion model: insights into TP53-regulated stress pathway},
  author = {Sheikha Alshehhi and Catherine Taylor and Amal Jangjoo and Zeinab Ibrahim and Andrew P. Blaber and Hanan Al Suwaidi and Nelson C. Soares and Mohamed el-hadidi and Nandu Goswami},
  journal = {npj Microgravity},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1038/s41526-026-00647-4},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-026-00647-4}
}

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