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. 2016 May 20;11(5):e0155260. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155260

Fig 2. Neural morphology is altered after exposure to simulated microgravity and acute X-ray irradiation.

Fig 2

(A) Morphometric analyses on βIII tubulin stained neurons in ground conditions revealed a significant effect of acute X-radiation on the average neurite length. In particular, irradiated neurons showed a stalling in neurite outgrowth within 24 h of culture. (B) Neurons co-exposed to RPM and irradiation showed a strong reduction in neurite length between 0.5 and 2 h of exposure, with no further reduction within 24 h. (C) Analysis of the soma area in ground conditions showed a clear trend towards a reduced soma size in irradiated neurons after 0.5 and 2 h. (D) Under RPM conditions, the overall soma size was smaller than in ground conditions, but no differences were revealed between the different irradiation doses. (F) Fluorescent images of neuronal network cultures X-irradiated with 100 mGy and 1 mGy followed by ground condition (GC) or RPM exposure for 30 minutes (30’) and 1 day (24h). RPM = random positioning machine, GC = ground conditions, Gy = Gray. Values are represented as mean±SEM. N = 3, * p<0.05, ** p<0.01, *** p<0.001.