1
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Catlin NR, Cappon GD, Davenport SD, Stethem CM, Nowland WS, Campion SN, Bowman CJ. New approach methodologies to confirm developmental toxicity of pharmaceuticals based on weight of evidence. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 129:108686. [PMID: 39128486 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
The aim of embryo-fetal developmental toxicity assessments for pharmaceuticals is to inform potential risk of adverse pregnancy outcome, which has traditionally relied on studies in pregnant animals. Recent updates to international safety guidelines (ICH S5R3) have incorporated information on how to use weight of evidence and alternative assays to reduce animal use while still informing risk of fetal harm. Uptake of these alternative approaches has been slow due to limitations in understanding how alternative assays translate to in vivo effects and then relevance to human exposure. To understand the predictivity of new approach methodologies for developmental toxicity (DevTox NAMs), we used two pharmaceutical examples (glasdegib and lorlatinib) to illustrate the value of DevTox NAMs to complement weight of evidence (WoE) assessments while considering the relationship of concentration-effect levels in NAMs to in vivo studies. The in vitro results generated in a battery of assays (mEST, rWEC, zebrafish, and human based stem cells) confirmed the WoE based on literature and further confirmed by preliminary embryo-fetal development data. The data generated for these two compounds supports integrating DevTox NAMs into the developmental toxicity assessment for advanced cancer indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha R Catlin
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Research & Development, Groton, CT, USA.
| | - Gregg D Cappon
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Research & Development, Groton, CT, USA; Current: ToxStrategies, Katy, TX, USA
| | - Scott D Davenport
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Research & Development, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Christine M Stethem
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Research & Development, Groton, CT, USA
| | - William S Nowland
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Research & Development, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Sarah N Campion
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Research & Development, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Christopher J Bowman
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Research & Development, Groton, CT, USA
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2
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Wood A, Breffa C, Chaine C, Cubberley R, Dent M, Eichhorn J, Fayyaz S, Grimm FA, Houghton J, Kiwamoto R, Kukic P, Lee M, Malcomber S, Martin S, Nicol B, Reynolds J, Riley G, Scott S, Smith C, Westmoreland C, Wieland W, Williams M, Wolton K, Zellmann T, Gutsell S. Next generation risk assessment for occupational chemical safety - A real world example with sodium-2-hydroxyethane sulfonate. Toxicology 2024; 506:153835. [PMID: 38857863 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2024.153835] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Next Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA) is an exposure-led approach to safety assessment that uses New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). Application of NGRA has been largely restricted to assessments of consumer use of cosmetics and is not currently implemented in occupational safety assessments, e.g. under EU REACH. By contrast, a large proportion of regulatory worker safety assessments are underpinned by toxicological studies using experimental animals. Consequently, occupational safety assessment represents an area that would benefit from increasing application of NGRA to safety decision making. Here, a workflow for conducting NGRA under an occupational safety context was developed, which is illustrated with a case study chemical; sodium 2-hydroxyethane sulphonate (sodium isethionate or SI). Exposures were estimated using a standard occupational exposure model following a comprehensive life cycle assessment of SI and considering factory-specific data. Outputs of this model were then used to estimate internal exposures using a Physiologically Based Kinetic (PBK) model, which was constructed with SI specific Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion (ADME) data. PBK modelling indicated a worst-case plasma maximum concentration (Cmax) of 0.8 μM across the SI life cycle. SI bioactivity was assessed in a battery of NAMs relevant to systemic, reproductive, and developmental toxicity; a cell stress panel, high throughput transcriptomics in three cell lines (HepG2, HepaRG and MCF-7 cells), pharmacological profiling and specific assays relating to developmental toxicity (Reprotracker and devTOX quickPredict). Points of Departure (PoDs) for SI ranged from 104 to 5044 µM. Cmax values obtained from PBK modelling of occupational exposures to SI were compared with PoDs from the bioactivity assays to derive Bioactivity Exposure Ratios (BERs) which demonstrated the safety for workers exposed to SI under current levels of factory specific risk management. In summary, the tiered and iterative workflow developed here represents an opportunity for integrating non animal approaches for a large subset of substances for which systemic worker safety assessment is required. Such an approach could be followed to ensure that animal testing is only conducted as a "last resort" e.g. under EU REACH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Wood
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK.
| | - Catherine Breffa
- Clariant Produkte (Deutschland) GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Caroline Chaine
- Vantage Specialty Chemicals, 3 rue Jules Guesde, Ris Orangis 91130, France
| | - Richard Cubberley
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Matthew Dent
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Joachim Eichhorn
- Clariant Produkte (Deutschland) GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susann Fayyaz
- Clariant Produkte (Deutschland) GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Fabian A Grimm
- Clariant Produkte (Deutschland) GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jade Houghton
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Reiko Kiwamoto
- Unilever, Bronland 14, Wageningen 6708 WH, the Netherlands
| | - Predrag Kukic
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - MoungSook Lee
- Clariant Produkte (Deutschland) GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sophie Malcomber
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Suzanne Martin
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Beate Nicol
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Joe Reynolds
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Gordon Riley
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Sharon Scott
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Colin Smith
- ERM Ireland Limited, Ardilaun Court, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Carl Westmoreland
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | | | - Mesha Williams
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Kathryn Wolton
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | | | - Steve Gutsell
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
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3
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Treschow AF, Valente MJ, Lauschke K, Holst B, Andersen AR, Vinggaard AM. Investigating the applicability domain of the hiPSC-based PluriLum assay: an embryotoxicity assessment of chemicals and drugs. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:1209-1224. [PMID: 38311648 PMCID: PMC10944425 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03675-1] [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: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
To meet the growing demand for developmental toxicity assessment of chemicals, New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) are needed. Previously, we developed two 3D in vitro assays based on human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) and cardiomyocyte differentiation: the PluriBeat assay, based on assessment of beating differentiated embryoid bodies, and the PluriLum assay, a reporter gene assay based on the expression of the early cardiac marker NKX2.5; both promising assays for predicting embryotoxic effects of chemicals and drugs. In this work, we aimed to further describe the predictive power of the PluriLum assay and compare its sensitivity with PluriBeat and similar human stem cell-based assays developed by others. For this purpose, we assessed the toxicity of a panel of ten chemicals from different chemical classes, consisting of the known developmental toxicants 5-fluorouracil, all-trans retinoic acid and valproic acid, as well as the negative control compounds ascorbic acid and folic acid. In addition, the fungicides epoxiconazole and prochloraz, and three perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), PFOS, PFOA and GenX were tested. Generally, the PluriLum assay displayed higher sensitivity when compared to the PluriBeat assay. For several compounds the luminescence readout of the PluriLum assay showed effects not detected by the PluriBeat assay, including two PFAS compounds and the two fungicides. Overall, we find that the PluriLum assay has the potential to provide a fast and objective detection of developmental toxicants and has a level of sensitivity that is comparable to or higher than other in vitro assays also based on human stem cells and cardiomyocyte differentiation for assessment of developmental toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Frederik Treschow
- Cell Toxicology Team, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Maria João Valente
- Cell Toxicology Team, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Karin Lauschke
- Cell Toxicology Team, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Cell Therapy TRU, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark
| | | | - Anders Reenberg Andersen
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anne Marie Vinggaard
- Cell Toxicology Team, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
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4
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Moreau M, Jamalpoor A, Hall JC, Fisher J, Hartvelt S, Hendriks G, Nong A. Animal-free assessment of developmental toxicity: Combining PBPK modeling with the ReproTracker assay. Toxicology 2023; 500:153684. [PMID: 38029956 PMCID: PMC10842933 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2023.153684] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
in vitro screening platforms to assess teratogenic potential of compounds are emerging rapidly. ReproTracker is a human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)-based biomarker assay that is shown to identify the teratogenicity potential of new pharmaceuticals and chemicals reliably. In its current state, the assay is limited to identifying the potential teratogenic effects and does not immediately quantify a clinical dose relevant to the exposure of chemicals or drugs observable in mothers or fetuses. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether the ReproTracker assay can be extrapolated in vivo and quantitatively predict developmental toxicity exposure levels of two known human teratogens, thalidomide, and carbamazepine. Here, we utilized Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling to describe the pharmacokinetic behavior of these compounds and conducted an in vitro to in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) approach to predict human equivalent effect doses (HEDs) that correspond with in vitro concentrations potentially associated with adverse outcomes in ReproTracker. The HEDs derived from the ReproTracker concentration predicted to cause developmental toxicity were close to the reported teratogenic human clinical doses and the HED derived from the rat or rabbit developmental toxicity study. The ReproTracker derived-HED revealed to be sensitive and protective of humans. Overall, this pilot study demonstrated the importance of integrating PBPK model in extrapolating and assessing developmental toxicity in vitro. The combination of these tools demonstrated that they could improve the safety assessment of drugs and chemicals without animal testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjory Moreau
- ScitoVation, LLC, Research Triangle Park, NC 27713, USA.
| | - Amer Jamalpoor
- Toxys, Leiden Bioscience Park, Oegstgeest, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Giel Hendriks
- Toxys, Leiden Bioscience Park, Oegstgeest, the Netherlands
| | - Andy Nong
- ScitoVation, LLC, Research Triangle Park, NC 27713, USA
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5
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Li B, Jin X, Chan HM. Effects of low doses of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure on definitive endoderm cell differentiation in human embryonic stem cells. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:2625-2641. [PMID: 37612375 PMCID: PMC10475006 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03580-7] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Fetal development is one of the most sensitive windows to methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity. Laboratory and epidemiological studies have shown a dose-response relationship between fetal MeHg exposure and neuro performance in different life stages from infants to adults. In addition, MeHg exposure has been reported to be associated with disorders in endoderm-derived organs, such as morphological changes in liver cells and pancreatic cell dysfunctions. However, the mechanisms of the effects of MeHg on non-neuronal organs or systems, especially during the early development of endoderm-derived organs, remain unclear. Here we determined the effects of low concentrations of MeHg exposure during the differentiation of definitive endoderm (DE) cells from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). hESCs were exposed to MeHg (0, 10, 100, and 200 nM) that covers the range of Hg concentrations typically found in human maternal blood during DE cell induction. Transcriptomic analysis showed that sub-lethal doses of MeHg exposure could alter global gene expression patterns during hESC to DE cell differentiation, leading to increased expression of endodermal genes/proteins and the over-promotion of endodermal fate, mainly through disrupting calcium homeostasis and generating ROS. Bioinformatic analysis results suggested that MeHg exerts its developmental toxicity mainly by disrupting ribosome biogenesis during early cell lineage differentiation. This disruption could lead to aberrant growth or dysfunctions of the developing endoderm-derived organs, and it may be the underlying mechanism for the observed congenital diseases later in life. Based on the results, we proposed an adverse outcome pathway for the effects of MeHg exposure during human embryonic stem cells to definitive endoderm differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bai Li
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Xiaolei Jin
- Regulatory Toxicology Research Division, Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, HPFB, Health Canada, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K9, Canada.
| | - Hing Man Chan
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
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6
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Myden A, Stalford SA, Fowkes A, White E, Hirose A, Yamada T. Enhancing developmental and reproductive toxicity knowledge: A new AOP stemming from glutathione depletion. Curr Res Toxicol 2023; 5:100124. [PMID: 37808440 PMCID: PMC10556594 DOI: 10.1016/j.crtox.2023.100124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Integrated approaches to testing and assessments (IATAs) have been proposed as a method to organise new approach methodologies in order to replace traditional animal testing for chemical safety assessments. To capture the mechanistic aspects of toxicity assessments, IATAs can be framed around the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) concept. To utilise AOPs fully in this context, a sufficient number of pathways need to be present to develop fit for purpose IATAs. In silico approaches can support IATA through the provision of predictive models and also through data integration to derive conclusions using a weight-of-evidence approach. To examine the maturity of a developmental and reproductive toxicity (DART) AOP network derived from the literature, an assessment of its coverage was performed against a novel toxicity dataset. A dataset of diverse compounds, with data from studies performed according to OECD test guidelines TG-421 and TG-422, was curated to test the performance of an in silico model based on the AOP network - allowing for the identification of knowledge gaps within the network. One such gap in the knowledge was filled through the development of an AOP stemming from the molecular initiating event 'glutathione reaction with an electrophile' leading to male fertility toxicity. The creation of the AOP provided the mechanistic rationale for the curation of pre-existing structural alerts to relevant key events. Integrating this new knowledge and associated alerts into the DART AOP network will improve its coverage of DART-relevant chemical space. In addition, broadening the coverage of AOPs for a particular regulatory endpoint may facilitate the development of, and confidence in, robust IATAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alun Myden
- Lhasa Limited, Granary Wharf House, 2 Canal Wharf, Leeds LS11 5PS, United Kingdom
| | - Susanne A. Stalford
- Lhasa Limited, Granary Wharf House, 2 Canal Wharf, Leeds LS11 5PS, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian Fowkes
- Lhasa Limited, Granary Wharf House, 2 Canal Wharf, Leeds LS11 5PS, United Kingdom
| | - Emma White
- Lhasa Limited, Granary Wharf House, 2 Canal Wharf, Leeds LS11 5PS, United Kingdom
| | - Akihiko Hirose
- Division of Risk Assessment, Center for Biological Safety and Research, National Institute of Health Sciences, 3-25-26 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-9501, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamada
- Division of Risk Assessment, Center for Biological Safety and Research, National Institute of Health Sciences, 3-25-26 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-9501, Japan
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7
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Burbank M, Gautier F, Hewitt N, Detroyer A, Guillet-Revol L, Carron L, Wildemann T, Bringel T, Riu A, Noel-Voisin A, De Croze N, Léonard M, Ouédraogo G. Advancing the use of new approach methodologies for assessing teratogenicity: Building a tiered approach. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 120:108454. [PMID: 37543254 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108454] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Many New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) have been developed for the safety assessment of new ingredients. Research into reproductive toxicity and teratogenicity is a particularly high priority, especially given their mechanistic complexity. Forty-six non-teratogenic and 39 teratogenic chemicals were screened for teratogenic potential using the in silico DART model from the OECD QSAR Toolbox; the devTox quickPredict™ (devTox assay) test and the Zebrafish Embryotoxicity Test (ZET). The sensitivity and specificity were 94.7% and 84.1%, respectively, for the DART tree (83 chemicals), 86.1% and 35.6% for the devTox (81 chemicals) and 77.8% and 76.7% for the ZET (57 chemicals). Fifty-three chemicals were tested in all three assays and when results were combined and based on a "2 out of 3 rule", the sensitivity and specificity were 96.0% and 71.4%, respectively. The specificity of the devTox assay for a sub-set of 43 chemicals was increased from 26.1% to 82.6% by incorporating human plasma concentrations into the assay interpretation. When all 85 chemicals were assessed in a decision tree approach, there was an excellent predictivity and assay robustness of 90%. In conclusion, all three models exhibited a good sensitivity and specificity, especially when outcomes from all three were combined or used in "2 out of 3" or a tiered decision tree approach. The latter is an interesting predictive approach for evaluating the teratogenic potential of new chemicals. Future investigations will extend the number of chemicals tested, as well as explore ways to refine the results and obtain a robust Integrated Testing Strategy to evaluate teratogenic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Burbank
- L'Oréal Research & Innovation, France.
| | - F Gautier
- L'Oréal Research & Innovation, France
| | | | | | | | - L Carron
- L'Oréal Research & Innovation, France
| | | | - T Bringel
- L'Oréal Research & Innovation, France
| | - A Riu
- L'Oréal Research & Innovation, France
| | | | | | - M Léonard
- L'Oréal Research & Innovation, France
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8
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Nihad M, Sen U, Chaudhury D, Das UN, Shenoy P S, Bose B. Arachidonic acid modulates the cellular energetics of human pluripotent stem cells and protects the embryoid bodies from embryotoxicity effects in vitro. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 120:108438. [PMID: 37454977 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Arachidonic acid (AA), an ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid involved in signalling pathways that drive cell fate decisions, has an enhancing role in the immunomodulatory effect on mesenchymal stem cells and the vasculogenesis of embryonic stem cells. 3D embryoid bodies (EBs) from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have been used as in vitro models for embryotoxicity for various compounds/drugs. Valproic acid (VA), a common anti-epileptic drug, is known to be embryotoxic and cause malformations in embryos. As early embryogenesis depends on AA, we investigated the embryo protective effects of AA against the embryotoxic drug VA in this study. The effects of AA on the proliferation and cell cycle parameters of PSCs were studied. In particular, the potential of AA to abrogate VA-induced embryotoxicity in vitro was evaluated using ROS detection and antioxidant assays. In response to AA, we observed modulation in cell proliferation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and pluripotent NTERA-2 embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells. The present study substantiates the cytoprotective effects of AA against VA. These results imply that AA plays a critical role in the proliferation and differentiation of iPSCs and EC cells and protects the EBs from cytotoxic damage, thereby ensuring normal embryogenesis. Thus, the bioactive lipid AA may be explored for supplementation to benefit pregnant women treated with long-term anti-epileptic drugs to prevent in-utero fetal growth malformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Nihad
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Centre, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya Deemed to be University, Mangalore 575018, Karnataka, India
| | - Utsav Sen
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Debajit Chaudhury
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Centre, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya Deemed to be University, Mangalore 575018, Karnataka, India
| | - Undurti N Das
- BioScience Research Centre, Department of Medicine, GVP Medical College and Hospital, Visakhapatnam 530048, India; UND Life Sciences, 2221 NW 5th St., Battle Ground, WA 98604, USA
| | - Sudheer Shenoy P
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Centre, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya Deemed to be University, Mangalore 575018, Karnataka, India
| | - Bipasha Bose
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Centre, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya Deemed to be University, Mangalore 575018, Karnataka, India.
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9
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Branco MA, Nunes TC, Cabral JMS, Diogo MM. Developmental Toxicity Studies: The Path towards Humanized 3D Stem Cell-Based Models. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054857. [PMID: 36902285 PMCID: PMC10002991 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Today, it is recognized that medicines will eventually be needed during pregnancy to help prevent to, ameliorate or treat an illness, either due to gestation-related medical conditions or pre-existing diseases. Adding to that, the rate of drug prescription to pregnant women has increased over the past few years, in accordance with the increasing trend to postpone childbirth to a later age. However, in spite of these trends, information regarding teratogenic risk in humans is often missing for most of the purchased drugs. So far, animal models have been the gold standard to obtain teratogenic data, but inter-species differences have limited the suitability of those models to predict human-specific outcomes, contributing to misidentified human teratogenicity. Therefore, the development of physiologically relevant in vitro humanized models can be the key to surpassing this limitation. In this context, this review describes the pathway towards the introduction of human pluripotent stem cell-derived models in developmental toxicity studies. Moreover, as an illustration of their relevance, a particular emphasis will be placed on those models that recapitulate two very important early developmental stages, namely gastrulation and cardiac specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana A. Branco
- Collaborative Laboratory to Foster Translation and Drug Discovery, Accelbio, 3030-197 Cantanhede, Portugal
- IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tiago C. Nunes
- IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joaquim M. S. Cabral
- IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Margarida Diogo
- IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence:
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10
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Kirkwood‐Johnson L, Marikawa Y. Developmental toxicity of remdesivir, an anti-COVID-19 drug, is implicated by in vitro assays using morphogenetic embryoid bodies of mouse and human pluripotent stem cells. Birth Defects Res 2023; 115:224-239. [PMID: 36349436 PMCID: PMC9877128 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Remdesivir is an antiviral drug approved for the treatment of COVID-19, whose developmental toxicity remains unclear. More information about the safety of remdesivir is urgently needed for people of childbearing potential, who are affected by the ongoing pandemic. Morphogenetic embryoid bodies (MEBs) are three-dimensional (3D) aggregates of pluripotent stem cells that recapitulate embryonic body patterning in vitro, and have been used as effective embryo models to detect the developmental toxicity of chemical exposures specifically and sensitively. METHODS MEBs were generated from mouse P19C5 and human H9 pluripotent stem cells, and used to examine the effects of remdesivir. The morphological effects were assessed by analyzing the morphometric parameters of MEBs after exposure to varying concentrations of remdesivir. The molecular impact of remdesivir was evaluated by measuring the transcript levels of developmental regulator genes. RESULTS The mouse MEB morphogenesis was impaired by remdesivir at 1-8 μM. Remdesivir affected MEBs in a manner dependent on metabolic conversion, and its potency was higher than GS-441524 and GS-621763, presumptive anti-COVID-19 drugs that act similarly to remdesivir. The expressions of developmental regulator genes, particularly those involved in axial and somite patterning, were dysregulated by remdesivir. The early stage of MEB development was more vulnerable to remdesivir exposure than the later stage. The morphogenesis and gene expression profiles of human MEBs were also impaired by remdesivir at 1-8 μM. CONCLUSIONS Remdesivir impaired mouse and human MEBs at concentrations that are comparable to the therapeutic plasma levels in humans, urging further investigation into the potential impact of remdesivir on developing embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Kirkwood‐Johnson
- Developmental and Reproductive Biology Graduate Program, Institute for Biogenesis Research, Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry and PhysiologyJohn A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at ManoaHonoluluHawaiiUSA
| | - Yusuke Marikawa
- Developmental and Reproductive Biology Graduate Program, Institute for Biogenesis Research, Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry and PhysiologyJohn A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at ManoaHonoluluHawaiiUSA
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