Altered gravity affects ventral root activity during fictive swimming and the static vestibuloocular reflex in young tadpoles (Xenopus laevis).

During early periods of life, modifications of the gravitational environment affect the development of sensory, neuronal and motor systems. The vestibular system exerts significant effects on motor networks that control eye and body posture as well as swimming. The objective of the present study was to study whether altered gravity (AG) affects vestibuloocular and spinal motor systems in a correlated manner.

Morphometric investigations of sensory vestibular structures in tadpoles (Xenopus laevis) after a spaceflight: implications for microgravity-induced alterations of the vestibuloocular reflex.

In lower vertebrates, gravity deprivation by orbital flights modifies the vestibuloocular reflex. Using the amphibian Xenopus laevis, the experiments should clarify to which extent macular structures of the labyrinth are responsible for these modifications. In particular, the shape of otoconia and number and size of sensory macular cells expressing CalBindin were considered.

The immunostimulatory peptide WKYMVm-NH activates bone marrow mouse neutrophils via multiple signal transduction pathways.

G-protein-coupled receptors play a major role in the activation of the innate immune system, such as polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Members of the formyl peptide receptor family recognize chemotactic peptides as well the amyloïd-beta peptide and fragments of the human immunodeficiency virus envelope and may thus be implicated in major pathologies. The peptide WKYMVm-NH2 probably activates the receptor FPRL1 and its mouse orthologues Fpr-rs1 and Fpr-rs2.

Effects of a long-term spaceflight on immunoglobulin heavy chains of the urodele amphibian Pleurodeles waltl.

A variety of immune parameters are modified during and after a spaceflight. The effects of spaceflights on cellular immunity are well documented; however, little is known about the effects of these flights on humoral immunity. During the Genesis space experiment, two adult Pleurodeles waltl (urodele amphibian) stayed 5 mo onboard Mir and were subjected to oral immunization.

An European pupil project linked to the scientific aims of the experiment AQUARIUS-XENOPUS on the taxi Soyuz flight Andromede to ISS.

The German-French biological experiment AQUARIUS-XENOPUS which flew on the Soyuz flight Andromede to the International Space Station ISS (launched October 21, 2001 in Baikonour/Kazakhstan) was extended by an outreach project. Pupils of class 10 to 12 from Ulm/D and Nancy-Tomblaine/F studied swimming behavior of Xenopus tadpoles on ground. They were instructed to perform all experimental steps following the protocol of similar video recordings on ISS.