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Sharma M, Stucki AO, Verstraelen S, Stedeford TJ, Jacobs A, Maes F, Poelmans D, Van Laer J, Remy S, Frijns E, Allen DG, Clippinger AJ. Human cell-based in vitro systems to assess respiratory toxicity: a case study using silanes. Toxicol Sci 2023; 195:213-230. [PMID: 37498623 PMCID: PMC10535780 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfad074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhalation is a major route by which human exposure to substances can occur. Resources have therefore been dedicated to optimize human-relevant in vitro approaches that can accurately and efficiently predict the toxicity of inhaled chemicals for robust risk assessment and management. In this study-the IN vitro Systems to PredIct REspiratory toxicity Initiative-2 cell-based systems were used to predict the ability of chemicals to cause portal-of-entry effects on the human respiratory tract. A human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) and a reconstructed human tissue model (MucilAir, Epithelix) were exposed to triethoxysilane (TES) and trimethoxysilane (TMS) as vapor (mixed with N2 gas) at the air-liquid interface. Cell viability, cytotoxicity, and secretion of inflammatory markers were assessed in both cell systems and, for MucilAir tissues, morphology, barrier integrity, cilia beating frequency, and recovery after 7 days were also examined. The results show that both cell systems provide valuable information; the BEAS-2B cells were more sensitive in terms of cell viability and inflammatory markers, whereas MucilAir tissues allowed for the assessment of additional cellular effects and time points. As a proof of concept, the data were also used to calculate human equivalent concentrations. As expected, based on chemical properties and existing data, the silanes demonstrated toxicity in both systems with TMS being generally more toxic than TES. Overall, the results demonstrate that these in vitro test systems can provide valuable information relevant to predicting the likelihood of toxicity following inhalation exposure to chemicals in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monita Sharma
- PETA Science Consortium International e.V., 70499 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Andreas O Stucki
- PETA Science Consortium International e.V., 70499 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sandra Verstraelen
- Sustainable HEALTH Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), BE-2400 Mol, Belgium
| | | | - An Jacobs
- Sustainable HEALTH Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), BE-2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Frederick Maes
- Sustainable HEALTH Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), BE-2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - David Poelmans
- Sustainable HEALTH Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), BE-2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Jo Van Laer
- Sustainable HEALTH Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), BE-2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Sylvie Remy
- Sustainable HEALTH Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), BE-2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Evelien Frijns
- Sustainable HEALTH Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), BE-2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - David G Allen
- Inotiv, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27560, USA
| | - Amy J Clippinger
- PETA Science Consortium International e.V., 70499 Stuttgart, Germany
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2
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Patel VS, Amin K, Wahab A, Marimoutou M, Ukishima L, Alvarez J, Battle K, Stucki AO, Clippinger AJ, Behrsing HP. Cryopreserved human precision-cut lung slices provide an immune competent pulmonary test system for "on-demand" use and long-term cultures. Toxicol Sci 2023; 191:253-265. [PMID: 36617185 PMCID: PMC9936202 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfac136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Human precision-cut lung slices (hPCLS), considered a highly relevant ex vivo model of the lung, offer native architecture and cells of the lung tissue including respiratory parenchyma, small airways, and immune competent cells. However, the irregular availability of donor lungs has limited the accessibility of this system. As described here, thousands of hPCLS can be created from 1 lung, cryopreserved, and used "on demand" by applying slicing and cryopreservation methodology improvements. Fresh and cryopreserved (∼7 and ∼34 weeks; F&C) hPCLS from 1 donor lung were cultured for up to 29 days and evaluated for biomass, viability, tissue integrity, and inflammatory markers in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 5 µg/ml) and Triton X-100 (TX100; 0.1%) challenge (24 h) at days 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 following culture initiation. The F&C hPCLS retained biomass, viability, and tissue integrity throughout the 29 days and demonstrated immune responsiveness with up to ∼30-fold LPS-induced cytokine increases. Histologically, more than 70% of normal cytomorphological features were preserved in all groups through day 29. Similar retention of tissue viability and immune responsiveness post cryopreservation (4-6 weeks) and culture (up to 14 days) was observed in hPCLS from additional 3 donor lungs. Banking cryopreserved hPCLS from various donors (and disease states) provides a critical element in researching human-derived pulmonary tissue. The retention of viability and functional responsiveness (≥4 weeks) allows evaluation of long-term, complex endpoints reflecting key events in Adverse Outcome Pathways and positions hPCLS as a valuable human-relevant model for use in regulatory applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek S Patel
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at Institute for In Vitro Sciences, Inc., 30 West Watkins Mill Road, Suite 100, Gaithersburg, MD 20878. E-mail:
| | - Khalid Amin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
| | - Adam Wahab
- Institute for In Vitro Sciences, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878, USA
| | - Méry Marimoutou
- Institute for In Vitro Sciences, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878, USA
| | - Lindsey Ukishima
- Institute for In Vitro Sciences, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878, USA
| | - Jose Alvarez
- Institute for In Vitro Sciences, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878, USA
| | - Kelley Battle
- Institute for In Vitro Sciences, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878, USA
| | - Andreas O Stucki
- PETA Science Consortium International e.V., Stuttgart 70499, Germany
| | - Amy J Clippinger
- PETA Science Consortium International e.V., Stuttgart 70499, Germany
| | - Holger P Behrsing
- Institute for In Vitro Sciences, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878, USA
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Sengupta A, Dorn A, Jamshidi M, Schwob M, Hassan W, De Maddalena LL, Hugi A, Stucki AO, Dorn P, Marti TM, Wisser O, Stucki JD, Krebs T, Hobi N, Guenat OT. A multiplex inhalation platform to model in situ like aerosol delivery in a breathing lung-on-chip. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1114739. [PMID: 36959848 PMCID: PMC10029733 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1114739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolonged exposure to environmental respirable toxicants can lead to the development and worsening of severe respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and fibrosis. The limited number of FDA-approved inhaled drugs for these serious lung conditions has led to a shift from in vivo towards the use of alternative in vitro human-relevant models to better predict the toxicity of inhaled particles in preclinical research. While there are several inhalation exposure models for the upper airways, the fragile and dynamic nature of the alveolar microenvironment has limited the development of reproducible exposure models for the distal lung. Here, we present a mechanistic approach using a new generation of exposure systems, the Cloud α AX12. This novel in vitro inhalation tool consists of a cloud-based exposure chamber (VITROCELL) that integrates the breathing AXLung-on-chip system (AlveoliX). The ultrathin and porous membrane of the AX12 plate was used to create a complex multicellular model that enables key physiological culture conditions: the air-liquid interface (ALI) and the three-dimensional cyclic stretch (CS). Human-relevant cellular models were established for a) the distal alveolar-capillary interface using primary cell-derived immortalized alveolar epithelial cells (AXiAECs), macrophages (THP-1) and endothelial (HLMVEC) cells, and b) the upper-airways using Calu3 cells. Primary human alveolar epithelial cells (AXhAEpCs) were used to validate the toxicity results obtained from the immortalized cell lines. To mimic in vivo relevant aerosol exposures with the Cloud α AX12, three different models were established using: a) titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide nanoparticles b) polyhexamethylene guanidine a toxic chemical and c) an anti-inflammatory inhaled corticosteroid, fluticasone propionate (FL). Our results suggest an important synergistic effect on the air-blood barrier sensitivity, cytotoxicity and inflammation, when air-liquid interface and cyclic stretch culture conditions are combined. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that an in vitro inhalation exposure system for the distal lung has been described with a breathing lung-on-chip technology. The Cloud α AX12 model thus represents a state-of-the-art pre-clinical tool to study inhalation toxicity risks, drug safety and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arunima Sengupta
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies, ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Aurélien Dorn
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies, ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- AlveoliX AG, Swiss Organs-on-Chip Innovation, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mohammad Jamshidi
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies, ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Magali Schwob
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies, ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Widad Hassan
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies, ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Andreas Hugi
- AlveoliX AG, Swiss Organs-on-Chip Innovation, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andreas O. Stucki
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies, ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Andreas O. Stucki,
| | - Patrick Dorn
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thomas M. Marti
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Nina Hobi
- AlveoliX AG, Swiss Organs-on-Chip Innovation, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Olivier T. Guenat
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies, ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
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Lee KM, Corley R, Jarabek AM, Kleinstreuer N, Paini A, Stucki AO, Bell S. Advancing New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for Tobacco Harm Reduction: Synopsis from the 2021 CORESTA SSPT-NAMs Symposium. Toxics 2022; 10:760. [PMID: 36548593 PMCID: PMC9781465 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10120760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
New approach methodologies (NAMs) are emerging chemical safety assessment tools consisting of in vitro and in silico (computational) methodologies intended to reduce, refine, or replace (3R) various in vivo animal testing methods traditionally used for risk assessment. Significant progress has been made toward the adoption of NAMs for human health and environmental toxicity assessment. However, additional efforts are needed to expand their development and their use in regulatory decision making. A virtual symposium was held during the 2021 Cooperation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco (CORESTA) Smoke Science and Product Technology (SSPT) conference (titled "Advancing New Alternative Methods for Tobacco Harm Reduction"), with the goals of introducing the concepts and potential application of NAMs in the evaluation of potentially reduced-risk (PRR) tobacco products. At the symposium, experts from regulatory agencies, research organizations, and NGOs shared insights on the status of available tools, strengths, limitations, and opportunities in the application of NAMs using case examples from safety assessments of chemicals and tobacco products. Following seven presentations providing background and application of NAMs, a discussion was held where the presenters and audience discussed the outlook for extending the NAMs toxicological applications for tobacco products. The symposium, endorsed by the CORESTA In Vitro Tox Subgroup, Biomarker Subgroup, and NextG Tox Task Force, illustrated common ground and interest in science-based engagement across the scientific community and stakeholders in support of tobacco regulatory science. Highlights of the symposium are summarized in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard Corley
- Greek Creek Toxicokinetics Consulting, LLC, Boise, ID 83714, USA
| | - Annie M. Jarabek
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Nicole Kleinstreuer
- National Toxicology Program Interagency Center for Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM), Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Alicia Paini
- European Commission Joint Research Center (EC JRC), 2749 Ispra, Italy
| | - Andreas O. Stucki
- PETA Science Consortium International e.V., 70499 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Shannon Bell
- Inotiv-RTP, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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Stucki AO, Clippinger AJ, Henry TR, Hirn C, Stedeford TJ, Terry C. Editorial: Chemical testing using new approach methodologies (NAMs). Front Toxicol 2022; 4:1048900. [DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2022.1048900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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6
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Miller-Holt J, Behrsing HP, Clippinger AJ, Hirn C, Stedeford TJ, Stucki AO. Use of new approach methodologies (NAMs) to meet regulatory requirements for the assessment of tobacco and other nicotine-containing products. Front Toxicol 2022; 4:943358. [PMID: 36157974 PMCID: PMC9500230 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2022.943358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory frameworks on tobacco and other nicotine-containing products (TNCP) continue to evolve as novel products emerge, including electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., electronic cigarettes or vaping products), heated tobacco products, or certain smokeless products (e.g., nicotine pouches). This article focuses on selected regulations for TNCPs that do not make health claims, and on the opportunities to use new approach methodologies (NAMs) to meet regulatory requirements for toxicological information. The manuscript presents a brief overview of regulations and examples of feedback from regulatory agencies whilst highlighting NAMs that have been successfully applied, or could be used, in a regulatory setting, either as stand-alone methods or as part of a weight-of-evidence approach to address selected endpoints. The authors highlight the need for agencies and stakeholders to collaborate and communicate on the development and application of NAMs to address specific regulatory toxicological endpoints. Collaboration across sectors and geographies will facilitate harmonized use of robust testing approaches to evaluate TNCPs without animal testing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Carole Hirn
- Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, JT International SA, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Andreas O. Stucki
- PETA Science Consortium International e V, Stuttgart, Germany
- *Correspondence: Andreas O. Stucki,
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7
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Stucki AO, Barton-Maclaren TS, Bhuller Y, Henriquez JE, Henry TR, Hirn C, Miller-Holt J, Nagy EG, Perron MM, Ratzlaff DE, Stedeford TJ, Clippinger AJ. Use of new approach methodologies (NAMs) to meet regulatory requirements for the assessment of industrial chemicals and pesticides for effects on human health. Front Toxicol 2022; 4:964553. [PMID: 36119357 PMCID: PMC9475191 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2022.964553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
New approach methodologies (NAMs) are increasingly being used for regulatory decision making by agencies worldwide because of their potential to reliably and efficiently produce information that is fit for purpose while reducing animal use. This article summarizes the ability to use NAMs for the assessment of human health effects of industrial chemicals and pesticides within the United States, Canada, and European Union regulatory frameworks. While all regulations include some flexibility to allow for the use of NAMs, the implementation of this flexibility varies across product type and regulatory scheme. This article provides an overview of various agencies’ guidelines and strategic plans on the use of NAMs, and specific examples of the successful application of NAMs to meet regulatory requirements. It also summarizes intra- and inter-agency collaborations that strengthen scientific, regulatory, and public confidence in NAMs, thereby fostering their global use as reliable and relevant tools for toxicological evaluations. Ultimately, understanding the current regulatory landscape helps inform the scientific community on the steps needed to further advance timely uptake of approaches that best protect human health and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas O. Stucki
- PETA Science Consortium International e.V., Stuttgart, Germany
- *Correspondence: Andreas O. Stucki,
| | - Tara S. Barton-Maclaren
- Safe Environments Directorate, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Yadvinder Bhuller
- Pest Management Regulatory Agency, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Tala R. Henry
- Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Carole Hirn
- Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, JT International SA, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Edith G. Nagy
- Bergeson & Campbell PC, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Monique M. Perron
- Office of Pesticide Programs, US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Deborah E. Ratzlaff
- Safe Environments Directorate, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Chary A, Groff K, Stucki AO, Contal S, Stoffels C, Cambier S, Sharma M, Gutleb AC, Clippinger AJ. Maximizing the relevance and reproducibility of A549 cell culture using FBS-free media. Toxicol In Vitro 2022; 83:105423. [PMID: 35753526 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2022.105423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Scientists are using in vitro methods to answer important research questions and implementing strategies to maximize the reliability and human relevance of these methods. One strategy is to replace the use of fetal bovine serum (FBS)-an undefined and variable mixture of biomolecules-in cell culture media with chemically defined or xeno-free medium. In this study, A549 cells, a human lung alveolar-like cell line commonly used in respiratory research, were transitioned from a culture medium containing FBS to media without FBS. A successful transition was determined based on analysis of cell morphology and functionality. Following transition to commercially available CnT-Prime Airway (CELLnTEC) or X-VIVO™ 10 (Lonza) medium, the cells were characterized by microscopic evaluation and calculation of doubling time. Their genotype, morphology, and functionality were assessed by monitoring the expression of gene markers for lung cell types, surfactant production, cytokine release, the presence of multilamellar bodies, and cell viability following sodium dodecyl sulphate exposure. Our results showed that A549 cells successfully transitioned to FBS-free media under submerged and air-liquid-interface conditions. Cells grown in X-VIVO™ 10 medium mimicked cellular characteristics of FBS-supplemented media while those grown in CnT-Prime Airway medium demonstrated characteristics possibly more reflective of normal human alveolar epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Chary
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Environmental Research and Innovation (ERIN) Department, 41 rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg.
| | - Katherine Groff
- PETA Science Consortium International e.V., Friolzheimer Str. 3, 70499 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Andreas O Stucki
- PETA Science Consortium International e.V., Friolzheimer Str. 3, 70499 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Servane Contal
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Environmental Research and Innovation (ERIN) Department, 41 rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg.
| | - Charlotte Stoffels
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Environmental Research and Innovation (ERIN) Department, 41 rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg; University of Luxembourg, 2 Av. de l'Universite, 4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
| | - Sébastien Cambier
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Environmental Research and Innovation (ERIN) Department, 41 rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg.
| | - Monita Sharma
- PETA Science Consortium International e.V., Friolzheimer Str. 3, 70499 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Arno C Gutleb
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Environmental Research and Innovation (ERIN) Department, 41 rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg.
| | - Amy J Clippinger
- PETA Science Consortium International e.V., Friolzheimer Str. 3, 70499 Stuttgart, Germany.
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Petersen EJ, Sharma M, Clippinger AJ, Gordon J, Katz A, Laux P, Leibrock LB, Luch A, Matheson J, Stucki AO, Tentschert J, Bierkandt FS. Use of Cause-and-Effect Analysis to Optimize the Reliability of In Vitro Inhalation Toxicity Measurements Using an Air-Liquid Interface. Chem Res Toxicol 2021; 34:1370-1385. [PMID: 34097823 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.1c00080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In vitro inhalation toxicology methods are increasingly being used for research and regulatory purposes. Although the opportunity for increased human relevance of in vitro inhalation methods compared to in vivo tests has been established and discussed, how to systematically account for variability and maximize the reliability of these in vitro methods, especially for assays that use cells cultured at an air-liquid interface (ALI), has received less attention. One tool that has been used to evaluate the robustness of in vitro test methods is cause-and-effect (C&E) analysis, a conceptual approach to analyze key sources of potential variability in a test method. These sources of variability can then be evaluated using robustness testing and potentially incorporated into in-process control measurements in the assay protocol. There are many differences among in vitro inhalation test methods including the use of different types of biological test systems, exposure platforms/conditions, substances tested, and end points, which represent a major challenge for use in regulatory testing. In this manuscript, we describe how C&E analysis can be applied using a modular approach based on the idea that shared components of different test methods (e.g., the same exposure system is used) have similar sources of variability even though other components may differ. C&E analyses of different in vitro inhalation methods revealed a common set of recommended exposure systems and biological in-process control measurements. The approach described here, when applied in conjunction with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) criteria, should help improve the inter- and intralaboratory agreement of in vitro inhalation test results, leading to increased confidence in these methods for regulatory and research purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elijah J Petersen
- Biosystems and Biomaterials Division, Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Monita Sharma
- PETA Science Consortium International e.V., 70499 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Amy J Clippinger
- PETA Science Consortium International e.V., 70499 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - John Gordon
- United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, 5 Research Place, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Aaron Katz
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Laux
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars B Leibrock
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Luch
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Joanna Matheson
- United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, 5 Research Place, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Andreas O Stucki
- PETA Science Consortium International e.V., 70499 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jutta Tentschert
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank S Bierkandt
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
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Stucki AO, Stucki JD, Hall SRR, Felder M, Mermoud Y, Schmid RA, Geiser T, Guenat OT. A lung-on-a-chip array with an integrated bio-inspired respiration mechanism. Lab Chip 2015; 15:1302-10. [PMID: 25521475 DOI: 10.1039/c4lc01252f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
We report a lung-on-a-chip array that mimics the pulmonary parenchymal environment, including the thin alveolar barrier and the three-dimensional cyclic strain induced by breathing movements. The micro-diaphragm used to stretch the alveolar barrier is inspired by the in vivo diaphragm, the main muscle responsible for inspiration. The design of this device aims not only at best reproducing the in vivo conditions found in the lung parenchyma but also at making the device robust and its handling easy. An innovative concept, based on the reversible bonding of the device, is presented that enables accurate control of the concentration of cells cultured on the membrane by easily accessing both sides of the membranes. The functionality of the alveolar barrier could be restored by co-culturing epithelial and endothelial cells that form tight monolayers on each side of a thin, porous and stretchable membrane. We showed that cyclic stretch significantly affects the permeability properties of epithelial cell layers. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that the strain influences the metabolic activity and the cytokine secretion of primary human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells obtained from patients. These results demonstrate the potential of this device and confirm the importance of the mechanical strain induced by breathing in pulmonary research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas O Stucki
- ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, Lung Regeneration Technologies, University of Berne, Switzerland.
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11
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Felder M, Stucki AO, Stucki JD, Geiser T, Guenat OT. The potential of microfluidic lung epithelial wounding: towards in vivo-like alveolar microinjuries. Integr Biol (Camb) 2014; 6:1132-40. [PMID: 25205504 DOI: 10.1039/c4ib00149d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remains a major clinical challenge to date. Repeated alveolar epithelial microinjuries are considered as the starting point and the key event in both the development and the progression of IPF. Various pro-fibrotic agents have been identified and shown to cause alveolar damage. In IPF, however, no leading cause of alveolar epithelial microinjuries can be identified and the exact etiology remains elusive. New results from epidemiologic studies suggest a causal relation between IPF and frequent episodes of gastric refluxes resulting in gastric microaspirations into the lung. The effect of gastric contents on the alveolar epithelium has not been investigated in detail. Here, we present a microfluidic lung epithelial wounding system that allows for the selective exposure of alveolar epithelial cells to gastric contents. The system is revealed to be robust and highly reproducible. The thereby created epithelial microwounds are of tiny dimensions and best possibly reproduce alveolar damage in the lung. We further demonstrate that exposure to gastric contents, namely hydrochloric acid (HCl) and pepsin, directly damages the alveolar epithelium. Together, this novel in vitro wounding system allows for the creation of in vivo-like alveolar microinjuries with the potential to study lung injury and alveolar wound repair in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Felder
- ARTORG Center Lung Regeneration Technologies Lab, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 50, 3010 Bern, Switzerland.
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