One small mouse step for man

The effect of spaceflight on kidney function requires additional study. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 knockout mouse became the first genetically engineered strain sent into orbit and to return to earth alive. In this issue, Suzuki et al. provide kidney analyses of these knockout and wild-type mice. All spaceflight mice exhibited gene changes that could suppress levels of active vitamin D and increase blood pressure. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 may alter expression of genes related to lipid excretion and metabolism.