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Collins EMS, Hessel EVS, Hughes S. How neurobehavior and brain development in alternative whole-organism models can contribute to prediction of developmental neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicology 2024; 102:48-57. [PMID: 38552718 PMCID: PMC11139590 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) is not routinely evaluated in chemical risk assessment because current test paradigms for DNT require the use of mammalian models which are ethically controversial, expensive, and resource demanding. Consequently, efforts have focused on revolutionizing DNT testing through affordable novel alternative methods for risk assessment. The goal is to develop a DNT in vitro test battery amenable to high-throughput screening (HTS). Currently, the DNT in vitro test battery consists primarily of human cell-based assays because of their immediate relevance to human health. However, such cell-based assays alone are unable to capture the complexity of a developing nervous system. Whole organismal systems that qualify as 3 R (Replace, Reduce and Refine) models are urgently needed to complement cell-based DNT testing. These models can provide the necessary organismal context and be used to explore the impact of chemicals on brain function by linking molecular and/or cellular changes to behavioural readouts. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the planarian Dugesia japonica, and embryos of the zebrafish Danio rerio are all suited to low-cost HTS and each has unique strengths for DNT testing. Here, we review the strengths and the complementarity of these organisms in a novel, integrative context and highlight how they can augment current cell-based assays for more comprehensive and robust DNT screening of chemicals. Considering the limitations of all in vitro test systems, we discuss how a smart combinatory use of these systems will contribute to a better human relevant risk assessment of chemicals that considers the complexity of the developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva-Maria S Collins
- Swarthmore College, Biology, 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Ellen V S Hessel
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven, 3721 MA, the Netherlands
| | - Samantha Hughes
- Department of Environmental Health and Toxicology, A-LIFE, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, the Netherlands.
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2
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van der Most MA, Bakker W, Wesseling S, van den Brink NW. Toxicokinetics of the Antidepressant Fluoxetine and Its Active Metabolite Norfluoxetine in Caenorhabditis elegans and Their Comparative Potency. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38343161 PMCID: PMC10882974 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a valuable model for ecotoxicological research, yet limited attention has been given to understanding how it absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes chemicals. This is crucial for C. elegans because the organism is known to have strong uptake barriers that are known to be susceptible to potential confounding effects of the presence of Escherichia coli as a food source. One frequently studied compound in C. elegans is the antidepressant fluoxetine, which has an active metabolite norfluoxetine. In this study, we evaluated the toxicokinetics and relative potency of norfluoxetine and fluoxetine in chemotaxis and activity tests. Toxicokinetics experiments were conducted with varying times, concentrations of fluoxetine, and in the absence or presence of E. coli, simulated with a one-compartment model. Our findings demonstrate that C. elegans can take up fluoxetine and convert it into norfluoxetine. Norfluoxetine proved slightly more potent and had a longer elimination half-life. The bioconcentration factor, uptake, and elimination rate constants depended on exposure levels, duration, and the presence of E. coli in the exposure medium. These findings expand our understanding of toxicokinetic modeling in C. elegans for different exposure scenarios, underlining the importance of considering norfluoxetine formation in exposure and bioactivity assessments of fluoxetine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merel A van der Most
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter Bakker
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Sebastiaan Wesseling
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Nico W van den Brink
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
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3
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Flannery BM, Turley AE, Anyangwe N, Mattia A, Whiteside C, Hermansky S, Schaefer HR, Tyler T, Fitzpatrick SC. Retrospective analysis of dog study data from food and color additive petitions. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 145:105523. [PMID: 37956767 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2023.105523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
As part of the US FDA CFSAN's efforts to explore alternatives to animal testing, we retrospectively analyzed a sample of food additive (FAP) and color additive petitions (CAP) submitted to the FDA for the utility of dog study data in safety assessment. FAPs and CAPs containing dog studies (161 petitions) were classified as decisive (38%), supportive (27%), supplemental (29%) or undermined (6%) based on the impact the dog study data had on the final safety decision. Petitions classified as decisive were further categorized based on if the dog study data were used to a) address a safety concern (35/61); b) calculate an acceptable daily intake (ADI) (11/61); c) withdraw a petition (4/61); d) the effect was unique to the dog (2/61); or e) unclear (9/61). Of 11 petitions where the dog study was used to set an ADI, 7 contained studies where the points of departure (POD) from the dog studies were within an 8-fold range of the rodent with differences in study design likely contributing to the difference in PODs. Future research should include the development and use of qualified alternative studies to replace the use of animal testing for food and color additive safety assessment while ensuring human safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenna M Flannery
- Office of Analytics and Outreach, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA), College Park, MD, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Heather R Schaefer
- Office of Analytics and Outreach, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA), College Park, MD, USA
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4
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Pitzer EM, Shafer TJ, Herr DW. Identification of neurotoxicology (NT)/developmental neurotoxicology (DNT) adverse outcome pathways and key event linkages with in vitro DNT screening assays. Neurotoxicology 2023; 99:184-194. [PMID: 37866692 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
There is a need to assess compounds reliably and quickly for neurotoxicity (NT) and developmental neurotoxicity (DNT). Adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) enable the mapping of molecular events to an apical endpoint in a chemical agnostic manner and have begun to be applied in NT and DNT testing frameworks. We assessed the status of NT/DNT AOPs in the AOP-Wiki (ca. 2/1/23; https://aopwiki.org/), to characterize the state of AOP development, identify strengths and knowledge gaps, elucidate areas for improvement, and describe areas for future focus. AOPs in the Wiki database were assessed for inclusion of NT/DNT molecular events and endpoints, AOP development and endorsement, as well as the linkages of key neurodevelopmental processes with in vitro new approach methods (NAMs). This review found that 41 AOPs have been proposed detailing NT/DNT, of which eight were endorsed by working parties in OECD. Further, this review determined that learning and memory is included as an adverse outcome in eight NT/DNT AOPS, often without distinction regarding the varying forms of learning and memory, regional specification, temporal dynamics, or acquisition mechanisms involved. There is also an overlap with key events (KEs) and in vitro NAMs, which synaptogenesis appeared as a common process. Overall, progress on NT/DNT AOPs could be expanded, adding in modes of action that are missing, improvement in defining apical endpoints, as well as utilizing NAMs further to develop AOPs and identify gaps in current knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Pitzer
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
| | - Timothy J Shafer
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - David W Herr
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
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5
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Muncke J, Andersson AM, Backhaus T, Belcher SM, Boucher JM, Carney Almroth B, Collins TJ, Geueke B, Groh KJ, Heindel JJ, von Hippel FA, Legler J, Maffini MV, Martin OV, Peterson Myers J, Nadal A, Nerin C, Soto AM, Trasande L, Vandenberg LN, Wagner M, Zimmermann L, Thomas Zoeller R, Scheringer M. A vision for safer food contact materials: Public health concerns as drivers for improved testing. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 180:108161. [PMID: 37758599 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Food contact materials (FCMs) and food contact articles are ubiquitous in today's globalized food system. Chemicals migrate from FCMs into foodstuffs, so called food contact chemicals (FCCs), but current regulatory requirements do not sufficiently protect public health from hazardous FCCs because only individual substances used to make FCMs are tested and mostly only for genotoxicity while endocrine disruption and other hazard properties are disregarded. Indeed, FCMs are a known source of a wide range of hazardous chemicals, and they likely contribute to highly prevalent non-communicable diseases. FCMs can also include non-intentionally added substances (NIAS), which often are unknown and therefore not subject to risk assessment. To address these important shortcomings, we outline how the safety of FCMs may be improved by (1) testing the overall migrate, including (unknown) NIAS, of finished food contact articles, and (2) expanding toxicological testing beyond genotoxicity to multiple endpoints associated with non-communicable diseases relevant to human health. To identify mechanistic endpoints for testing, we group chronic health outcomes associated with chemical exposure into Six Clusters of Disease (SCOD) and we propose that finished food contact articles should be tested for their impacts on these SCOD. Research should focus on developing robust, relevant, and sensitive in-vitro assays based on mechanistic information linked to the SCOD, e.g., through Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) or Key Characteristics of Toxicants. Implementing this vision will improve prevention of chronic diseases that are associated with hazardous chemical exposures, including from FCMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Muncke
- Food Packaging Forum Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet and Centre for Research and Research Training in Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Backhaus
- Dept of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Scott M Belcher
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | | | | | | | - Birgit Geueke
- Food Packaging Forum Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ksenia J Groh
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Jerrold J Heindel
- Healthy Environment and Endocrine Disruptor Strategies, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Frank A von Hippel
- Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Juliette Legler
- Dept. of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Olwenn V Martin
- Plastic Waste Innovation Hub, Department of Arts and Science, University College London, UK
| | - John Peterson Myers
- Dept. of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Environmental Health Sciences, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Angel Nadal
- IDiBE and CIBERDEM, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Cristina Nerin
- Dept. of Analytical Chemistry, I3A, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ana M Soto
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Centre Cavaillès, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris, France
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- College of Global Public Health and Grossman School of Medicine and Wagner School of Public Service, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura N Vandenberg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Martin Wagner
- Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - R Thomas Zoeller
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Martin Scheringer
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
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Camacho JA, Welch B, Sprando RL, Hunt PR. Reproductive-Toxicity-Related Endpoints in C. elegans Are Consistent with Reduced Concern for Dimethylarsinic Acid Exposure Relative to Inorganic Arsenic. J Dev Biol 2023; 11:jdb11020018. [PMID: 37218812 DOI: 10.3390/jdb11020018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposures to arsenic and mercury are known to pose significant threats to human health; however, the effects specific to organic vs. inorganic forms are not fully understood. Caenorhabditis elegans' (C. elegans) transparent cuticle, along with the conservation of key genetic pathways regulating developmental and reproductive toxicology (DART)-related processes such as germ stem cell renewal and differentiation, meiosis, and embryonic tissue differentiation and growth, support this model's potential to address the need for quicker and more dependable testing methods for DART hazard identification. Organic and inorganic forms of mercury and arsenic had different effects on reproductive-related endpoints in C. elegans, with methylmercury (meHgCl) having effects at lower concentrations than mercury chloride (HgCl2), and sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) having effects at lower concentrations than dimethylarsinic acid (DMA). Progeny to adult ratio changes and germline apoptosis were seen at concentrations that also affected gravid adult gross morphology. For both forms of arsenic tested, germline histone regulation was altered at concentrations below those that affected progeny/adult ratios, while concentrations for these two endpoints were similar for the mercury compounds. These C. elegans findings are consistent with corresponding mammalian data, where available, suggesting that small animal model test systems may help to fill critical data gaps by contributing to weight of evidence assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Camacho
- Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 8301 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD 20708, USA
| | - Bonnie Welch
- Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 8301 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD 20708, USA
| | - Robert L Sprando
- Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 8301 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD 20708, USA
| | - Piper R Hunt
- Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 8301 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD 20708, USA
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7
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van der Most MA, Estruch IM, van den Brink NW. Contrasting dose response relationships of neuroactive antidepressants on the behavior of C. elegans. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 250:114493. [PMID: 36608562 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Antidepressant prescriptions are on a rise worldwide and this increases the concerns for the impacts of these pharmaceuticals on nontarget organisms. Antidepressants are neuroactive compounds that can affect organism's behavior. Behavior is a sensitive endpoint that may also propagate effects at a population level. Another interesting aspect of antidepressants is that they have shown to induce non-monotonic dose-response (NMDR) curves. While such NMDR relationships may have clear implications for the environmental risk, the resolution of current studies is often too coarse to be able to detect relevant NMDR. Therefore, the current study was performed into the behavioral effects (activity, feeding and chemotaxis) in Caenorhabditis elegans as the model organism of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors fluoxetine and sertraline and the acetylcholinesterase inhibiting pesticide chlorpyrifos, using a wide range of concentrations (ng/l to mg/l). In order to statistically examine the non-monotonicity, nonlinear regression models were applied to the results. The results showed a triphasic dose-response relationship for activity and chemotaxis after exposure to fluoxetine, but not to sertraline or chlorpyrifos. Effects of fluoxetine already occurred at low concentrations in the range of ng/l while sertraline only showed effects at concentrations in the μg/l range, similar to chlorpyrifos. The different responses between fluoxetine and sertraline, both SSRIs, indicate that response patterns may not always be extrapolated from chemicals with the same primary mode of action. The effects of fluoxetine at low concentrations, in a non-monotonic manner, confirm the relevance of examining such responses at low concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merel A van der Most
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, the Netherlands.
| | - Ignacio Miro Estruch
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, the Netherlands
| | - Nico W van den Brink
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, the Netherlands
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8
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Wu J, Gao Y, Xi J, You X, Zhang X, Zhang X, Cao Y, Liu P, Chen X, Luan Y. A high-throughput microplate toxicity screening platform based on Caenorhabditis elegans. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 245:114089. [PMID: 36126550 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), an established model organism, has been widely used in environmental toxicology research. However, most of the current toxicity testing methods based on worms are time-consuming. In this study we aimed to develop an automated and highly-integrated platform for high-throughput and in situ toxicity testing. Considering the superiority of C. elegans as a neurotoxicological model, this platform mainly evaluates general toxicology and neurotoxicology endpoints, which are usually induced by metals and pesticides, the major environmental contaminants. Microplates were used as a worm culturing system, which have good compatibility with any commercial microplate applicable instruments. We developed a microfluidic-based module for worm dispensing, and an image acquisition/analysis module for monitoring worms and detecting toxicity endpoints in bright filed. These were collectively incorporated with a commercial pipetting workstation for automated food/drug delivery and a high-content analysis system for fluorescence detection. The integrated platform achieved an efficient on-demand worm dispensing, long-term maintenance, regular monitoring and imaging, survival assay and behavioral analyses, and visualized gene reporter assay. Moreover, "Lab on Web" was achieved by connecting the platform to the web for remote operation, worm monitoring, and phenotype calculation. To demonstrate the ability of the platform for automated toxicity testing assays; worms were treated with cadmium and longevity, neurotoxicity, developmental toxicity and gst-4 expression were evaluated. We determined its feasibility and proposed the potential application in high-throughput toxicity screening for environmental risk assessment in the nearest future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaying Wu
- School of Public Health, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yue Gao
- National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Department of Micro/Nano Electronics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jing Xi
- School of Public Health, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xinyue You
- School of Public Health, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xiaohong Zhang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- School of Public Health, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yiyi Cao
- School of Public Health, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Peichuan Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Department of Micro/Nano Electronics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Department of Micro/Nano Electronics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Yang Luan
- School of Public Health, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
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Wang Y, Guo K, Wang Q, Zhong G, Zhang W, Jiang Y, Mao X, Li X, Huang Z. Caenorhabditis elegans as an emerging model in food and nutrition research: importance of standardizing base diet. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2022; 64:3167-3185. [PMID: 36200941 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2130875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
As a model organism that has helped revolutionize life sciences, Caenorhabditis elegans has been increasingly used in nutrition research. Here we explore the tradeoffs between pros and cons of its use as a dietary model based primarily on literature review from the past decade. We first provide an overview of its experimental strengths as an animal model, focusing on lifespan and healthspan, behavioral and physiological phenotypes, and conservation of key nutritional pathways. We then summarize recent advances of its use in nutritional studies, e.g. food preference and feeding behavior, sugar status and metabolic reprogramming, lifetime and transgenerational nutrition tracking, and diet-microbiota-host interactions, highlighting cutting-edge technologies originated from or developed in C. elegans. We further review current challenges of using C. elegans as a nutritional model, followed by in-depth discussions on potential solutions. In particular, growth scales and throughputs, food uptake mode, and axenic culture of C. elegans are appraised in the context of food research. We also provide perspectives for future development of chemically defined nematode food ("NemaFood") for C. elegans, which is now widely accepted as a versatile and affordable in vivo model and has begun to show transformative potential to pioneer nutrition science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Wang
- Institute for Food Nutrition and Human Health, School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Biocosmetics, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kaixin Guo
- Institute for Food Nutrition and Human Health, School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qiangqiang Wang
- Institute for Food Nutrition and Human Health, School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Biocosmetics, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guohuan Zhong
- Institute for Food Nutrition and Human Health, School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Center for Bioresources and Drug Discovery, School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjun Zhang
- Center for Bioresources and Drug Discovery, School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiyi Jiang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Biocosmetics, Guangzhou, China
- Perfect Life & Health Institute, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinliang Mao
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Biocosmetics, Guangzhou, China
- Perfect Life & Health Institute, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaomin Li
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Biocosmetics, Guangzhou, China
- Perfect Life & Health Institute, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Zebo Huang
- Institute for Food Nutrition and Human Health, School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Biocosmetics, Guangzhou, China
- Center for Bioresources and Drug Discovery, School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
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10
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Albrecht PA, Fernandez-Hubeid L.E, Deza-Ponzio R, Virgolini MB. The intertwining between lead and ethanol in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2022; 4:991787. [PMID: 36204698 PMCID: PMC9531147 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2022.991787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is a model organism widely used to evaluate the mechanistic aspects of toxicants with the potential to predict responses comparable to those of mammals. We report here the consequences of developmental lead (Pb) exposure on behavioral responses to ethanol (EtOH) in C. elegans. In addition, we present data on morphological alterations in the dopamine (DA) synapse and DA-dependent behaviors aimed to dissect the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie the relationship between these neurotoxicants. Finally, the escalation to superior animals that parallels the observed effects in both experimental models with references to EtOH metabolism and oxidative stress is also discussed. Overall, the literature revised here underpins the usefulness of C. elegans to evidence behavioral responses to a combination of neurotoxicants in mechanistic-orientated studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. A. Albrecht
- Departamento de Farmacología Otto Orsingher, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IFEC-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - L .E. Fernandez-Hubeid
- Departamento de Farmacología Otto Orsingher, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IFEC-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - R. Deza-Ponzio
- Departamento de Farmacología Otto Orsingher, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IFEC-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - M. B. Virgolini
- Departamento de Farmacología Otto Orsingher, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IFEC-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- *Correspondence: M. B. Virgolini,
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11
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Anderson RT, Bradley TA, Smith DM. Hyperactivation of the proteasome in Caenorhabditis elegans protects against proteotoxic stress and extends lifespan. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102415. [PMID: 36007615 PMCID: PMC9486566 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Virtually all age-related neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) can be characterized by the accumulation of proteins inside and outside the cell that are thought to significantly contribute to disease pathogenesis. One of the cell’s primary systems for the degradation of misfolded/damaged proteins is the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS), and its impairment is implicated in essentially all NDs. Thus, upregulating this system to combat NDs has garnered a great deal of interest in recent years. Various animal models have focused on stimulating 26S activity and increasing 20S proteasome levels, but thus far, none have targeted intrinsic activation of the 20S proteasome itself. Therefore, we constructed an animal model that endogenously expresses a hyperactive, open gate proteasome in Caenorhabditis elegans. The gate-destabilizing mutation that we introduced into the nematode germline yielded a viable nematode population with enhanced proteasomal activity, including peptide, unstructured protein, and ubiquitin-dependent degradation activities. We determined these nematodes showed a significantly increased lifespan and substantial resistance to oxidative and proteotoxic stress but a significant decrease in fecundity. Our results show that introducing a constitutively active proteasome into a multicellular organism is feasible and suggests targeting the proteasome gating mechanism as a valid approach for future age-related disease research efforts in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond T Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University School of Medicine, 64 Medical Center Dr., Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Thomas A Bradley
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University School of Medicine, 64 Medical Center Dr., Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - David M Smith
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University School of Medicine, 64 Medical Center Dr., Morgantown, WV 26506.
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12
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Camacho J, de Conti A, Pogribny IP, Sprando RL, Hunt PR. Assessment of the Effects of Organic vs. Inorganic Arsenic and Mercury in Caenorhabditis elegans. Curr Res Toxicol 2022; 3:100071. [PMID: 35602005 PMCID: PMC9118485 DOI: 10.1016/j.crtox.2022.100071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Similar developmental delays and oxidative stress with 20x DMA relative to NaAsO2. Dissimilar gene expression and locomotion with organic vs. inorganic mercury. Dissimilar unfolded protein responses for organic vs. inorganic arsenic and mercury. Across phyla, methylation has opposite effects on arsenic vs. mercury toxicity.
Exposures to mercury and arsenic are known to pose significant threats to human health. Effects specific to organic vs. inorganic forms of these toxic elements are less understood however, especially for organic dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), which has recently been detected in pups of rodent dams orally exposed to inorganic sodium (meta)arsenite (NaAsO2). Caenorhabditis elegans is a small animal alternative toxicity model. To fill data gaps on the effects of DMA relative to NaAsO2, C. elegans were exposed to these two compounds alongside more thoroughly researched inorganic mercury chloride (HgCl2) and organic methylmercury chloride (meHgCl). For timing of developmental milestone acquisition in C. elegans, meHgCl was 2 to 4-fold more toxic than HgCl2, and NaAsO2 was 20-fold more toxic than DMA, ranking the four compounds meHgCl > HgCl2 > NaAsO2 ≫ DMA for developmental toxicity. Methylmercury induced significant decreases in population locomotor activity levels in developing C. elegans. DMA was also associated with developmental hypoactivity, but at >100-fold higher concentrations than meHgCl. Transcriptional alterations in native genes were observed in wild type C. elegans adults exposed to concentrations equitoxic for developmental delay in juveniles. Both forms of arsenic induced genes involved in immune defense and oxidative stress response, while the two mercury species induced proportionally more genes involved in transcriptional regulation. A transgenic bioreporter for activation of conserved proteosome specific unfolded protein response was strongly activated by NaAsO2, but not DMA at tested concentrations. HgCl2 and meHgCl had opposite effects on a bioreporter for unfolded protein response in the endoplasmic reticulum. Presented experiments indicating low toxicity for DMA in C. elegans are consistent with human epidemiologic data correlating higher arsenic methylation capacity with resistance to arsenic toxicity. This work contributes to the understanding of the accuracy and fit-for-use categories for C. elegans toxicity screening and its usefulness to prioritize compounds of concern for further testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Camacho
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, 8301 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD 20708, United States
| | - Aline de Conti
- Food and Drug Administration, National Center for Toxicological Research, 3900 NCTR Rd, Jefferson, AR 72079, United States
| | - Igor P. Pogribny
- Food and Drug Administration, National Center for Toxicological Research, 3900 NCTR Rd, Jefferson, AR 72079, United States
| | - Robert L. Sprando
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, 8301 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD 20708, United States
| | - Piper Reid Hunt
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, 8301 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD 20708, United States
- Corresponding author.
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13
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Kalia V, Belsky DW, Baccarelli AA, Miller GW. An exposomic framework to uncover environmental drivers of aging. EXPOSOME 2022; 2:osac002. [PMID: 35295547 PMCID: PMC8917275 DOI: 10.1093/exposome/osac002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The exposome, the environmental complement of the genome, is an omics level characterization of an individual’s exposures. There is growing interest in uncovering the role of the environment in human health using an exposomic framework that provides a systematic and unbiased analysis of the non-genetic drivers of health and disease. Many environmental toxicants are associated with molecular hallmarks of aging. An exposomic framework has potential to advance understanding of these associations and how modifications to the environment can promote healthy aging in the population. However, few studies have used this framework to study biological aging. We provide an overview of approaches and challenges in using an exposomic framework to investigate environmental drivers of aging. While capturing exposures over a life course is a daunting and expensive task, the use of historical data can be a practical way to approach this research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vrinda Kalia
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Daniel W Belsky
- Department of Epidemiology and Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Andrea A Baccarelli
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Gary W Miller
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
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14
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Looking at Developmental Neurotoxicity Testing from the Perspective of an Invertebrate Embryo. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031871. [PMID: 35163796 PMCID: PMC8836978 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) of chemical compounds disrupts the formation of a normal brain. There is impressive progress in the development of alternative testing methods for DNT potential in chemicals, some of which also incorporate invertebrate animals. This review briefly touches upon studies on the genetically tractable model organisms of Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster about the action of specific developmental neurotoxicants. The formation of a functional nervous system requires precisely timed axonal pathfinding to the correct cellular targets. To address this complex key event, our lab developed an alternative assay using a serum-free culture of intact locust embryos. The first neural pathways in the leg of embryonic locusts are established by a pair of afferent pioneer neurons which use guidance cues from membrane-bound and diffusible semaphorin proteins. In a systematic approach according to recommendations for alternative testing, the embryo assay quantifies defects in pioneer navigation after exposure to a panel of recognized test compounds for DNT. The outcome indicates a high predictability for test-compound classification. Since the pyramidal neurons of the mammalian cortex also use a semaphorin gradient for neurite guidance, the assay is based on evolutionary conserved cellular mechanisms, supporting its relevance for cortical development.
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15
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Nguyen VTT, Meyer SC, Rieger H, Endres K. A liquid-culture-based screening approach to study compounds affecting inflammatory processes in Caenorhabditis elegans. Biol Chem 2021; 403:123-129. [PMID: 34535046 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2021-0262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Discovery of biomedical drugs makes use of novel biological sources of limited availability and is often in need of fast, small-scale initial screening approaches. Here, we present a screening, based on the reporter Caenorhabditis elegans strain IG692, for identification of anti- and pro-inflammatory properties. The elaborated workflow is based on cultivation in fluid and by this, allows fast and reproducible seeding in 96 well plates. LPS and dexamethasone served as reliable controls, comparable to application in the human cell line THP-1. This in vivo approach offers a first step for selection of e.g. natural products or for repurposing of compounds from drug libraries and by this can serve as a tool in drug discovery for inflammatory human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vu Thu Thuy Nguyen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, D-55131Mainz, Germany
| | - Sarah Christina Meyer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, D-55131Mainz, Germany
| | - Hanna Rieger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, D-55131Mainz, Germany
| | - Kristina Endres
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, D-55131Mainz, Germany
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16
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Escobar IE, Possamai Rossatto FC, Kim SM, Kang MH, Kim W, Mylonakis E. Repurposing Kinase Inhibitor Bay 11-7085 to Combat Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans Biofilms. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:675300. [PMID: 34025434 PMCID: PMC8133364 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.675300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus and Candida spp. are commonly linked with topical biofilm-associated infections such as those found on chronic wounds. These biofilms are notoriously difficult to treat, highlighting the grave need to discover and study new broad-spectrum agents to combat associated infections. Here we report that the kinase inhibitor Bay 11-7085 exhibited bactericidal activity against multidrug-resistant S. aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 4 μg/ml. In addition, S. aureus strain MW2 did not acquire resistance to antibiotic pressure. Furthermore, Bay 11-7085 exhibited potency against Candida albicans and the emerging pathogen Candida auris with a MIC of 0.5–1 μg/ml. Bay 11-7085 partially inhibited and eradicated biofilm formation of various pathogens, such as VRSA (vancomycin-resistant S. aureus), as well as antifungal-resistant Candida spp. isolates. Notably, Bay 11-7085 partially inhibited initial cell attachment and formation of a VRSA-C. albicans polymicrobial biofilm in vitro. In contrast to C. albicans, inhibition of VRSA biofilm was linked to initial cell attachment independent of its bactericidal activity. Finally, Bay 11-7085 was effective in vivo at increasing the lifespan of C. elegans during an S. aureus and a C. albicans infection. Our work proposes kinase inhibitor Bay 11-7085 as a potential compound capable of combating biofilms associated with primary multidrug-resistant bacteria and yeast pathogens associated with wound infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iliana E Escobar
- Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Fernanda Cristina Possamai Rossatto
- Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States.,Laboratory of Biofilms and Alternative Models, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Soo Min Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Hee Kang
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Wooseong Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eleftherios Mylonakis
- Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States
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17
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Sandner G, König A, Wallner M, Weghuber J. Alternative model organisms for toxicological fingerprinting of relevant parameters in food and nutrition. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2021; 62:5965-5982. [PMID: 33683153 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2021.1895060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
In the field of (food) toxicology, there is a strong trend of replacing animal trials with alternative methods for the assessment of adverse health effects in humans. The replacement of animal trials is not only driven by ethical concerns but also by the number of potential testing substances (food additives, packaging material, contaminants, and toxicants), which is steadily increasing. In vitro 2D cell culture applications in combination with in silico modeling might provide an applicable first response. However, those systems lack accurate predictions of metabolic actions. Thus, alternative in vivo models could fill the gap between cell culture and animal trials. In this review, we highlight relevant studies in the field and spotlight the applicability of alternative models, including C. elegans, D. rerio, Drosophila, HET-CAM and Lab-on-a-chip.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Sandner
- Center of Excellence Food Technology and Nutrition, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Wels, Austria
| | - Alice König
- Center of Excellence Food Technology and Nutrition, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Wels, Austria.,FFoQSI GmbH-Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety and Innovation, Tulln, Austria
| | - Melanie Wallner
- Center of Excellence Food Technology and Nutrition, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Wels, Austria.,FFoQSI GmbH-Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety and Innovation, Tulln, Austria
| | - Julian Weghuber
- Center of Excellence Food Technology and Nutrition, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Wels, Austria.,FFoQSI GmbH-Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety and Innovation, Tulln, Austria
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18
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Hartman JH, Widmayer SJ, Bergemann CM, King DE, Morton KS, Romersi RF, Jameson LE, Leung MCK, Andersen EC, Taubert S, Meyer JN. Xenobiotic metabolism and transport in Caenorhabditis elegans. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2021; 24:51-94. [PMID: 33616007 PMCID: PMC7958427 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2021.1884921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans has emerged as a major model in biomedical and environmental toxicology. Numerous papers on toxicology and pharmacology in C. elegans have been published, and this species has now been adopted by investigators in academic toxicology, pharmacology, and drug discovery labs. C. elegans has also attracted the interest of governmental regulatory agencies charged with evaluating the safety of chemicals. However, a major, fundamental aspect of toxicological science remains underdeveloped in C. elegans: xenobiotic metabolism and transport processes that are critical to understanding toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics, and extrapolation to other species. The aim of this review was to initially briefly describe the history and trajectory of the use of C. elegans in toxicological and pharmacological studies. Subsequently, physical barriers to chemical uptake and the role of the worm microbiome in xenobiotic transformation were described. Then a review of what is and is not known regarding the classic Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III processes was performed. In addition, the following were discussed (1) regulation of xenobiotic metabolism; (2) review of published toxicokinetics for specific chemicals; and (3) genetic diversity of these processes in C. elegans. Finally, worm xenobiotic transport and metabolism was placed in an evolutionary context; key areas for future research highlighted; and implications for extrapolating C. elegans toxicity results to other species discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica H Hartman
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Samuel J Widmayer
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States
| | | | - Dillon E King
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Katherine S Morton
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Riccardo F Romersi
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Laura E Jameson
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University - West Campus, Glendale, Arizona, United States
| | - Maxwell C K Leung
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University - West Campus, Glendale, Arizona, United States
| | - Erik C Andersen
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States
| | - Stefan Taubert
- Dept. Of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, the University of British Colombia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Joel N Meyer
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
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19
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Tang B, Williams PL, Xue KS, Wang JS, Tang L. Detoxification mechanisms of nickel sulfate in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 260:127627. [PMID: 32673864 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Nickel is the most prevailing metal allergen with the highest sensitization rate among the "TOP 25" contact allergens and can affect about 15% of the human population. It is an essential trace metal in plants, animals, and humans. However, the environmental levels of nickel are considerably higher than what is needed for human life. Exposure to high levels of nickel can lead to skin allergies, lung fibrosis, and carcinogenesis. Few existing studies have closely examined the toxicity of nickel, let alone investigated the effective detoxification pathways. Here, we developed a high-throughput screening platform to comprehensively evaluate the nickel toxicity in wild-type C. elegans and explore the underlying detoxification mechanisms in transgenic nematodes. We demonstrated that nickel exerted multiple toxic effects on growth, brood size, feeding, and locomotion in C. elegans. Of which, brood size is the most sensitive endpoint. Nickel was found to first bind to phytochelatin (PC) after entering the worms' body and this PC-Ni complex was further transported by the ABC transporter, CeHMT-1, into the coelomocytes for further detoxification. Our study also demonstrated that the high-throughput screening platform is a promising system for evaluation and investigation of the ecological risks of heavy metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Tang
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Phillip L Williams
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Kathy S Xue
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Jia-Sheng Wang
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Lili Tang
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
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20
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Synthesis, biological evaluation and QSAR studies of new thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one derivatives as antimicrobial and antifungal agents. Bioorg Chem 2020; 106:104509. [PMID: 33288321 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
A series of new thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their activity against four gram-positive and four gram-negative bacterial and eight fungal species. The majority of the compounds exhibited excellent antimicrobial and antifungal activity, being more potent than the control compounds. Compound 22, bearing a m-methoxyphenyl group and an ethylenediamine side chain anchored at C-2 of the thienopyrimidinone core, is the most potent antibacterial compound with broad antimicrobial activity with MIC values in the range of 0.05-0.13 mM, being 6 to 15 fold more potent than the controls, streptomycin and ampicillin. Furthermore, compounds 14 and 15 which bear a p-chlorophenyl and m-methoxyphenyl group, respectively, and share a 2-(2-mercaptoethoxy)ethan-1-ol side chain showed the best antifungal activity, being 10-15 times more potent than ketoconazole or bifonazole with MIC values 0.013-0.026 and 0.027 mM, respectively. Especially in the case of compound 15 the low MIC values were accompanied by excellent MFC values ranging from 0.056 to 0.058 mM. Evaluation of toxicity in vitro on HFL-1 human embryonic primary cells and in vivo in the nematode C. elegans revealed no toxic effects for both compounds 15 and 22 tested at the MIC concentrations. Ligand-based similarity search and molecular docking predicted that the antibacterial activity of analogue 22 is related to inhibition of the topoisomerase II DNA gyrase enzyme and the antifungal activity of compound 15 to CYP51 lanosterol demethylase enzyme. R-Group analysis as a means of computational structure activity relationship tool, highlighted the compounds' crucial pharmacophore features and their impact on the antibacterial and antifungal activity. The presence of a N-methyl piperidine ring fused to the thienopyrimidinone core plays an important role in both activities.
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21
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Acute, reproductive, and developmental toxicity of essential oils assessed with alternative in vitro and in vivo systems. Arch Toxicol 2020; 95:673-691. [PMID: 33159585 PMCID: PMC7870616 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-020-02945-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Essential oils (EOs) have attracted increased interest for different applications such as food preservatives, feed additives and ingredients in cosmetics. Due to their reported variable composition of components, they might be acutely toxic to humans and animals in small amounts. Despite the necessity, rigorous toxicity testing in terms of safety evaluation has not been reported so far, especially using alternatives to animal models. Here, we provide a strategy by use of alternative in vitro (cell cultures) and in vivo (Caenorhabditis elegans, hen’s egg test) approaches for detailed investigation of the impact of commonly used rosemary, citrus and eucalyptus essential oil on acute, developmental and reproductive toxicity as well as on mucous membrane irritation. In general, all EOs under study exhibited a comparable impact on measured parameters, with a slightly increased toxic potential of rosemary oil. In vitro cell culture results indicated a concentration-dependent decrease of cell viability for all EOs, with mean IC50 values ranging from 0.08 to 0.17% [v/v]. Similar results were obtained for the C. elegans model when using a sensitized bus-5 mutant strain, with a mean LC50 value of 0.42% [v/v]. In wild-type nematodes, approximately tenfold higher LC50 values were detected. C. elegans development and reproduction was already significantly inhibited at concentrations of 0.5% (wild-type) and 0.1% (bus-5) [v/v] of EO, respectively. Gene expression analysis revealed a significant upregulation of xenobiotic and oxidative stress genes such as cyp-14a3, gst-4, gpx-6 and sod-3. Furthermore, all three EOs under study showed an increased short-time mucous membrane irritation potential, already at 0.5% [v/v] of EO. Finally, GC–MS analysis was performed to quantitate the relative concentration of the most prominent EO compounds. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that EOs can exhibit severe toxic properties, already at low concentrations. Therefore, a detailed toxicological assessment is highly recommended for each EO and single intended application.
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22
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An FDA/CDER perspective on nonclinical testing strategies: Classical toxicology approaches and new approach methodologies (NAMs). Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2020; 114:104662. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2020.104662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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23
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Sepúlveda-Crespo D, Reguera RM, Rojo-Vázquez F, Balaña-Fouce R, Martínez-Valladares M. Drug discovery technologies: Caenorhabditis elegans as a model for anthelmintic therapeutics. Med Res Rev 2020; 40:1715-1753. [PMID: 32166776 DOI: 10.1002/med.21668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Helminthiasis is one of the gravest problems worldwide. There is a growing concern on less available anthelmintics and the emergence of resistance creating a major threat to human and livestock health resources. Novel and broad-spectrum anthelmintics are urgently needed. The free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans could address this issue through automated high-throughput technologies for the screening of large chemical libraries. This review discusses the strong advantages and limitations for using C elegans as a screening method for anthelmintic drug discovery. C elegans is the best model available for the validation of novel effective drugs in treating most, if not all, helminth infections, and for the elucidation the mode of action of anthelmintic candidates. This review also focuses on available technologies in the discovery of anthelmintics published over the last 15 years with particular attention to high-throughput technologies over conventional screens. On the other hand, this review highlights how combinatorial and nanomedicine strategies could prolong the use of anthelmintics and control resistance problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sepúlveda-Crespo
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Rosa M Reguera
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Francisco Rojo-Vázquez
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), León, Spain.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - María Martínez-Valladares
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), León, Spain.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
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24
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Development of a neural rosette formation assay (RoFA) to identify neurodevelopmental toxicants and to characterize their transcriptome disturbances. Arch Toxicol 2019; 94:151-171. [PMID: 31712839 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-019-02612-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The first in vitro tests for developmental toxicity made use of rodent cells. Newer teratology tests, e.g. developed during the ESNATS project, use human cells and measure mechanistic endpoints (such as transcriptome changes). However, the toxicological implications of mechanistic parameters are hard to judge, without functional/morphological endpoints. To address this issue, we developed a new version of the human stem cell-based test STOP-tox(UKN). For this purpose, the capacity of the cells to self-organize to neural rosettes was assessed as functional endpoint: pluripotent stem cells were allowed to differentiate into neuroepithelial cells for 6 days in the presence or absence of toxicants. Then, both transcriptome changes were measured (standard STOP-tox(UKN)) and cells were allowed to form rosettes. After optimization of staining methods, an imaging algorithm for rosette quantification was implemented and used for an automated rosette formation assay (RoFA). Neural tube toxicants (like valproic acid), which are known to disturb human development at stages when rosette-forming cells are present, were used as positive controls. Established toxicants led to distinctly different tissue organization and differentiation stages. RoFA outcome and transcript changes largely correlated concerning (1) the concentration-dependence, (2) the time dependence, and (3) the set of positive hits identified amongst 24 potential toxicants. Using such comparative data, a prediction model for the RoFA was developed. The comparative analysis was also used to identify gene dysregulations that are particularly predictive for disturbed rosette formation. This 'RoFA predictor gene set' may be used for a simplified and less costly setup of the STOP-tox(UKN) assay.
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Kim M, Jeong J, Kim H, Choi J. High-throughput COPAS assay for screening of developmental and reproductive toxicity of nanoparticles using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. J Appl Toxicol 2019; 39:1470-1479. [PMID: 31287177 DOI: 10.1002/jat.3833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
With the rapid advancement and numerous applications of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in science and technology, their effects on animal health, environment and safety should be considered carefully. However, quick assessment of their effects on developmental and reproductive health and an understanding of how they cause such adverse toxic effects remain challenging, because of the fast-growing number of ENMs and the limitations of the different toxicity assays currently in use as well as lack of suitable animal model systems. In this study, we performed a high-throughput complex object parametric analyzer and sorter (COPAS) assay for assessing the developmental and reproductive toxicity of ENMs using Caenorhabditis elegans and provide descriptions of the data and their subsequent analysis. The results showed significant reproductive and developmental toxicity potential of different ENMs. We assessed the usefulness of this method in terms of error-free data, user-friendliness and results being consistent with those of visual, molecular and cellular studies. Moreover, the COPAS Biosort system could be used on a larger scale to screen thousands of chemicals, drugs, pharmaceuticals and ENMs. This study also indicates that the COPAS-based high-throughput screening system is highly reliable for the assessment of toxicity and health risks of NMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- MinA Kim
- School of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jaeseong Jeong
- School of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Heejin Kim
- School of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jinhee Choi
- School of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
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