The immune system is an important regulatory mechanism affected by space flight. As plan for long-term missions continue to develop, alterations of immunity could seriously impair the ability of the host to deal with infections. Up to now, research has mainly focused on innate immunity and T cell responses, whereas B cell-mediated responses have been almost unexplored.
During B cell development, the antibody repertoire is created by the assembly of many V genes, D (only for the heavy chains) and J segments. This process is mediated by the V(D)J recombination machinery.
The experiment will analyze the V(D)J recombination products obtained when P. waltl developed in space. Embryos will be allowed to develop during 10 days of spaceflight in EADS Mini-Aquaria, either in microgravity or on a 1g control centrifuge. Postflight animals will be sacrificed either immediately on recovery, 1 month or 6 months postlflight. The vestibulo ocular reflex of the tadpoles will also be measured, along with the properties of otoconia.