Blood Proteome Study to Assess the Regulation of Angiogenesis in Cosmonauts after the End of the Flight

A study of blood samples of 18 cosmonauts who had long flights as members of Russian crews of the International Space Station was performed using the method of quantitative proteomics based on mass spectrometry. The study focused on elucidation of the possible connection of proteome changes under the influence of space flight (SF) factors with the processes of angiogenesis. The analysis was performed with a targeted panel of 125 labeled 13C/15N peptides using chromatography-mass spectrometry with multiple reaction monitoring (LC/MRM-MS). A total of 125 different proteins were quantitatively characterized. Among them, a group of 61 proteins involved in the processes of angiogenesis and its regulation was found. Bioinformatic methods showed that the isolated angiogenesis proteins were participants of 13 biological processes, including lymphangiogenesis. Significant changes of protein level in blood after landing, in relation to preflight samples, were observed in 7 cases. The results have shown that the elimination of gravity (microgravity), space radiation and overloads of the final stage of flight have a combined effect on the processes of angiogenesis, which is manifested by changes in proteomic composition 1 day after the completion of long-term SF.