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Toso A, Garoche C, Balaguer P. Human and fish differences in steroid receptors activation: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 948:174889. [PMID: 39047839 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Steroid receptors (SRs) are transcription factors activated by steroid hormones (SHs) that belong to the nuclear receptors (NRs) superfamily. Several studies have shown that SRs are targets of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), widespread substances in the environment capable of interfering with the endogenous hormonal pathways and causing adverse health effects in living organisms and/or their progeny. Cell lines with SRs reporter gene are currently used for in vitro screening of large quantities of chemicals with suspected endocrine-disrupting activities. However, most of these cell lines express human SRs and therefore the toxicological data obtained are also extrapolated to non-mammalian species. In parallel, in vivo tests have recently been developed on fish species whose data are also extrapolated to mammalian species. As some species-specific differences in SRs activation by natural and synthetic chemicals have been recently reported, the aim of this review is to summarize those between human and fish SRs, as representatives of mammalian and non-mammalian toxicology, respectively. Overall, this literature study aims to improve inter-species extrapolation of toxicological data on EDCs and to understand which reporter gene cell lines expressing human SRs are relevant for the assessment of effects in fish and whether in vivo tests on fish can be properly used in the assessment of adverse effects on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Toso
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Inserm U1194, Université Montpellier, Institut régional du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), 34090 Montpellier, France; Department Environmental Toxicology, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Eawag, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
| | - Clémentine Garoche
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Inserm U1194, Université Montpellier, Institut régional du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Patrick Balaguer
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Inserm U1194, Université Montpellier, Institut régional du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), 34090 Montpellier, France
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2
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Flynn K, Le M, Hazemi M, Biales A, Bencic DC, Blackwell BR, Bush K, Flick R, Hoang JX, Martinson J, Morshead M, Rodriguez KS, Stacy E, Villeneuve DL. Comparing Transcriptomic Points of Departure to Apical Effect Concentrations For Larval Fathead Minnow Exposed to Chemicals with Four Different Modes Of Action. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2024; 86:346-362. [PMID: 38743081 PMCID: PMC11305162 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-024-01064-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
It is postulated that below a transcriptomic-based point of departure, adverse effects are unlikely to occur, thereby providing a chemical concentration to use in screening level hazard assessment. The present study extends previous work describing a high-throughput fathead minnow assay that can provide full transcriptomic data after exposure to a test chemical. One-day post-hatch fathead minnows were exposed to ten concentrations of three representatives of four chemical modes of action: organophosphates, ecdysone receptor agonists, plant photosystem II inhibitors, and estrogen receptor agonists for 24 h. Concentration response modeling was performed on whole body gene expression data from each exposure, using measured chemical concentrations when available. Transcriptomic points of departure in larval fathead minnow were lower than apical effect concentrations across fish species but not always lower than toxic effect concentrations in other aquatic taxa like crustaceans and insects. The point of departure was highly dependent on measured chemical concentration which were often lower than the nominal concentration. Differentially expressed genes between chemicals within modes of action were compared and often showed statistically significant overlap. In addition, reproducibility between identical exposures using a positive control chemical (CuSO4) and variability associated with the transcriptomic point of departure using in silico sampling were considered. Results extend a transcriptomic-compatible fathead minnow high-throughput assay for possible use in ecological hazard screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Flynn
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA GLTED, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN, 55804, USA.
| | - Michelle Le
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Research Participant, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN, 55804, USA
| | - Monique Hazemi
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Research Participant, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN, 55804, USA
| | - Adam Biales
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, 45220, USA
| | - David C Bencic
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, 45220, USA
| | - Brett R Blackwell
- Biochemistry and Biotechnology Group, Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA
| | - Kendra Bush
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Research Participant, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN, 55804, USA
| | - Robert Flick
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, 45220, USA
| | - John X Hoang
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Research Participant, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN, 55804, USA
| | - John Martinson
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, 45220, USA
| | - Mackenzie Morshead
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Research Participant, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN, 55804, USA
| | - Kelvin Santana Rodriguez
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Research Participant, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN, 55804, USA
| | - Emma Stacy
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA GLTED, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN, 55804, USA
| | - Daniel L Villeneuve
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA GLTED, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN, 55804, USA
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3
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Brown RJ, Panter GH, Burden N, Salinas ER, Weltje L, Wheeler JR, Wolf Y, Lagadic L. Are changes in vitellogenin concentrations in fish reliable indicators of chemical-induced endocrine activity? ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 266:115563. [PMID: 37827093 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115563] [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: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Vitellogenin (VTG), a biomarker for endocrine activity, is a mechanistic component of the regulatory assessment of potential endocrine-disrupting properties of chemicals. This review of VTG data is based on changes reported for 106 substances in standard fish species. High intra-study and inter-laboratory variability in VTG concentrations was confirmed, as well as discrepancies in interpretation of results based on large differences between fish in the dilution water versus solvent control, or due to the presence of outlier measurements. VTG responses in fish were ranked against predictions for estrogen receptor agonist activity and aromatase inhibition from bioactivity model output and ToxCast in vitro assay results, respectively. These endocrine mechanisms explained most of the VTG responses in the absence of systemic toxicity, the magnitude of the VTG response being proportional to the in vitro potency. Interpretation of the VTG data was sometimes confounded by an alternative endocrine mechanism of action. There was evidence for both false positive and negative responses for VTG synthesis, but overall, it was rare for substances without endocrine activity in vitro to cause a concentration-dependent VTG response in fish in the absence of systemic toxicity. To increase confidence in the VTG results, we recommend improvements in the VTG measurement methodologies and greater transparency in reporting of VTG data (including quality control criteria for assay performance). This review supports the application of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) by demonstrating that endocrine activity in vitro from mammalian cell lines is predictive for in vivo VTG response in fish, suggesting that in vitro mechanistic data could be used more broadly in decision-making to help reduce animal testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Brown
- wca, Brunel House, Volunteer Way, Faringdon, Oxfordshire SN7 7YR, UK.
| | - Grace H Panter
- wca, Brunel House, Volunteer Way, Faringdon, Oxfordshire SN7 7YR, UK
| | - Natalie Burden
- NC3Rs, Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK
| | - Edward R Salinas
- BASF SE, Agricultural Solutions - Ecotoxicology, Speyerer Strasse 2, 67117 Limburgerhof, Germany; Bayer AG, R&D, Crop Science Division, Environmental Safety, Alfred-Nobel Strasse 50, 40789 Monheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Lennart Weltje
- BASF SE, Agricultural Solutions - Ecotoxicology, Speyerer Strasse 2, 67117 Limburgerhof, Germany
| | - James R Wheeler
- Corteva Agriscience, Zuid-Oostsingel 24D, 4611 BB Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands
| | - Yvonne Wolf
- Bayer AG, R&D, Crop Science Division, Environmental Safety, Alfred-Nobel Strasse 50, 40789 Monheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Laurent Lagadic
- Bayer AG, R&D, Crop Science Division, Environmental Safety, Alfred-Nobel Strasse 50, 40789 Monheim am Rhein, Germany
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4
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Schaupp CM, Maloney EM, Mattingly K, Olker JH, Villeneuve DL. Comparison of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo toxicity benchmarks suggests a role for ToxCast data in ecological hazard assessment. Toxicol Sci 2023; 195:145-154. [PMID: 37490521 PMCID: PMC11217893 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfad072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Large repositories of in vitro bioactivity data such as US EPA's Toxicity Forecaster (ToxCast) provide a wealth of publicly accessible toxicity information for thousands of chemicals. These data can be used to calculate point-of-departure (POD) estimates via concentration-response modeling that may serve as lower bound, protective estimates of in vivo effects. However, the data are predominantly based on mammalian models and discussions to date about their utility have largely focused on potential integration into human hazard assessment, rather than application to ecological risk assessment. The goal of the present study was to compare PODs based on (1) quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs), (2) the 5th centile of the activity concentration at cutoff (ACC), and (3) lower-bound cytotoxic burst (LCB) from ToxCast, with the distribution of in vivo PODs compiled in the Ecotoxicology Knowledgebase (ECOTOX). While overall correlation between ToxCast ACC5 and ECOTOX PODs for 649 chemicals was weak, there were significant associations among PODs based on LCB and ECOTOX, LCB and QSARs, and ECOTOX and QSARs. Certain classes of compounds showed moderate correlation across datasets (eg, antimicrobials/disinfectants), while others, such as organophosphate insecticides, did not. Unsurprisingly, more precise classifications of the data based on ECOTOX effect and endpoint type (eg, apical vs biochemical; acute vs chronic) had a significant effect on overall relationships. Results of this research help to define appropriate roles for data from new approach methodologies in chemical prioritization and screening of ecological hazards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M. Schaupp
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, US EPA, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Erin M. Maloney
- University of Minnesota-Duluth, Integrated Biological Sciences Program, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Kali Mattingly
- Spec-Pro Professional Services, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN, 55804, USA
| | - Jennifer H. Olker
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Daniel L. Villeneuve
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
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5
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Vliet SM, Markey KJ, Lynn SG, Adetona A, Fallacara D, Ceger P, Choksi N, Karmaus AL, Watson A, Ewans A, Daniel AB, Hamm J, Vitense K, Wolf KA, Thomas A, LaLone CA. Weight of evidence for cross-species conservation of androgen receptor-based biological activity. Toxicol Sci 2023; 193:131-145. [PMID: 37071731 PMCID: PMC10796108 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfad038] [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] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) is tasked with assessing chemicals for their potential to perturb endocrine pathways, including those controlled by androgen receptor (AR). To address challenges associated with traditional testing strategies, EDSP is considering in vitro high-throughput screening assays to screen and prioritize chemicals more efficiently. The ability of these assays to accurately reflect chemical interactions in nonmammalian species remains uncertain. Therefore, a goal of the EDSP is to evaluate how broadly results can be extrapolated across taxa. To assess the cross-species conservation of AR-modulated pathways, computational analyses and systematic literature review approaches were used to conduct a comprehensive analysis of existing in silico, in vitro, and in vivo data. First, molecular target conservation was assessed across 585 diverse species based on the structural similarity of ARs. These results indicate that ARs are conserved across vertebrates and are predicted to share similarly susceptibility to chemicals that interact with the human AR. Systematic analysis of over 5000 published manuscripts was used to compile in vitro and in vivo cross-species toxicity data. Assessment of in vitro data indicates conservation of responses occurs across vertebrate ARs, with potential differences in sensitivity. Similarly, in vivo data indicate strong conservation of the AR signaling pathways across vertebrate species, although sensitivity may vary. Overall, this study demonstrates a framework for utilizing bioinformatics and existing data to build weight of evidence for cross-species extrapolation and provides a technical basis for extrapolating hAR-based data to prioritize hazard in nonmammalian vertebrate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M.F. Vliet
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Scientific Computing and Data Curation Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Kristan J. Markey
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticide Programs, Endocrine Disrupter Screening Program, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Scott G. Lynn
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticide Programs, Endocrine Disrupter Screening Program, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kelsey Vitense
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Scientific Computing and Data Curation Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | | | - Amy Thomas
- Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Carlie A. LaLone
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
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6
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Mitchell CA, Burden N, Bonnell M, Hecker M, Hutchinson TH, Jagla M, LaLone CA, Lagadic L, Lynn SG, Shore B, Song Y, Vliet SM, Wheeler JR, Embry MR. New Approach Methodologies for the Endocrine Activity Toolbox: Environmental Assessment for Fish and Amphibians. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:757-777. [PMID: 36789969 PMCID: PMC10258674 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Multiple in vivo test guidelines focusing on the estrogen, androgen, thyroid, and steroidogenesis pathways have been developed and validated for mammals, amphibians, or fish. However, these tests are resource-intensive and often use a large number of laboratory animals. Developing alternatives for in vivo tests is consistent with the replacement, reduction, and refinement principles for animal welfare considerations, which are supported by increasing mandates to move toward an "animal-free" testing paradigm worldwide. New approach methodologies (NAMs) hold great promise to identify molecular, cellular, and tissue changes that can be used to predict effects reliably and more efficiently at the individual level (and potentially on populations) while reducing the number of animals used in (eco)toxicological testing for endocrine disruption. In a collaborative effort, experts from government, academia, and industry met in 2020 to discuss the current challenges of testing for endocrine activity assessment for fish and amphibians. Continuing this cross-sector initiative, our review focuses on the current state of the science regarding the use of NAMs to identify chemical-induced endocrine effects. The present study highlights the challenges of using NAMs for safety assessment and what work is needed to reduce their uncertainties and increase their acceptance in regulatory processes. We have reviewed the current NAMs available for endocrine activity assessment including in silico, in vitro, and eleutheroembryo models. New approach methodologies can be integrated as part of a weight-of-evidence approach for hazard or risk assessment using the adverse outcome pathway framework. The development and utilization of NAMs not only allows for replacement, reduction, and refinement of animal testing but can also provide robust and fit-for-purpose methods to identify chemicals acting via endocrine mechanisms. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:757-777. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Natalie Burden
- National Centre for the 3Rs (NC3Rs), London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Bonnell
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Markus Hecker
- Toxicology Centre and School of the Environment & Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | | | | | - Carlie A. LaLone
- Office of Research and Development, Great Lakes Toxicology & Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota
| | - Laurent Lagadic
- Research and Development, Crop Science, Environmental Safety, Bayer, Monheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Scott G. Lynn
- Office of Pesticide Programs, US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC
| | - Bryon Shore
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - You Song
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sara M. Vliet
- Office of Research and Development, Scientific Computing and Data Curation Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota
| | | | - Michelle R. Embry
- The Health and Environmental Sciences Institute, Washington, DC, USA
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7
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Villeneuve DL, Blackwell BR, Cavallin JE, Collins J, Hoang JX, Hofer RN, Houck KA, Jensen KM, Kahl MD, Kutsi RN, Opseth AS, Santana Rodriguez KJ, Schaupp CM, Stacy EH, Ankley GT. Verification of In Vivo Estrogenic Activity for Four Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Identified as Estrogen Receptor Agonists via New Approach Methodologies. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:3794-3803. [PMID: 36800546 PMCID: PMC10898820 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c09315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Given concerns about potential toxicological hazards of the thousands of data-poor per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) currently in commerce and detected in the environment, tiered testing strategies that employ high-throughput in vitro screening as an initial testing tier have been implemented. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of previous in vitro screening for identifying PFAS capable, or incapable, of inducing estrogenic responses in fish exposed in vivo. Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed for 96 h to five PFAS (perfluorooctanoic acid [PFOA]; 1H,1H,8H,8H-perfluorooctane-1,8-diol [FC8-diol]; 1H,1H,10H,10H-perfluorodecane-1,10-diol [FC10-diol]; 1H,1H,8H,8H-perfluoro-3,6-dioxaoctane-1,8-diol [FC8-DOD]; and perfluoro-2-methyl-3-oxahexanoic acid [HFPO-DA]) that showed varying levels of in vitro estrogenic potency. In agreement with in vitro screening results, exposure to FC8-diol, FC10-diol, and FC8-DOD caused concentration-dependent increases in the expression of transcript coding for vitellogenin and estrogen receptor alpha and reduced expression of insulin-like growth factor and apolipoprotein eb. Once differences in bioconcentration were accounted for, the rank order of potency in vivo matched that determined in vitro. These results provide a screening level benchmark for worst-case estimates of potential estrogenic hazards of PFAS and a basis for identifying structurally similar PFAS to scrutinize for putative estrogenic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel L. Villeneuve
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Brett R. Blackwell
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Jenna E. Cavallin
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Jacob Collins
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, US EPA, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - John X. Hoang
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, US EPA, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Rachel N. Hofer
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, US EPA, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Keith A. Houck
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Biomolecular and Computational Toxicology Division, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Kathleen M. Jensen
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Michael D. Kahl
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Robin N. Kutsi
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, US EPA, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Anne S. Opseth
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Kelvin J. Santana Rodriguez
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, US EPA, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Christopher M. Schaupp
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, US EPA, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Emma H. Stacy
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, US EPA, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Gerald T. Ankley
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
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8
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Schaupp CM, LaLone CA, Blackwell BR, Ankley GT, Villeneuve DL. Leveraging ToxCast data and protein sequence conservation to complement aquatic life criteria derivation. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2023; 19:224-238. [PMID: 35393744 PMCID: PMC10618725 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The USEPA's 1985 guidelines for the derivation of aquatic life criteria (ALC) are robust but data-intensive. For many chemicals, the extensive in vivo data sets required for ALC derivation are not available. Thus, alternative analyses and processes that can provide provisional values to guide states, tribes, and other stakeholders while data accumulate and more rigorous criteria are derived would be beneficial. The overarching purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of using data from new approach methodologies (NAMs) like ToxCast to derive first-pass, provisional values to guide chemical prioritization and resource management as a complement to traditional ALC derivation. To address this goal, the study objectives were to (1) estimate chemical potency using data from NAMs for nine compounds with available aquatic benchmarks, (2) evaluate the utility of using NAM data to elucidate potential mechanisms of toxicity to guide problem formulation, and (3) determine the species relevance of toxicity pathways for compounds with clearly defined mechanisms of action as a means to evaluate whether minimum data requirements could potentially be waived when deriving a more formal ALC. Points of departure were derived from ToxCast data based on the fifth percentile of the distribution of activity concentration above cutoff values falling below the cytotoxic burst. Mechanistic inferences were made based on active target hits in ToxCast and, where applicable, assessed for taxonomic conservation using SeqAPASS. ToxCast-based point-of-departure aligned relatively closely (six of nine test chemicals within a factor of 10; eight of nine within a factor of 100) with aquatic benchmarks from the USEPA and US Department of Energy (DOE). Moreover, pathways of toxicity gleaned from NAM data were reflective of in vivo-based findings from the literature. These results, while preliminary, and based on a limited number of substances, support the potential application of NAM data to complement traditional ALC derivation approaches and prioritization. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:224-238. © 2022 Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M. Schaupp
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, USEPA, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Carlie A. LaLone
- USEPA, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Brett R. Blackwell
- USEPA, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Gerald T. Ankley
- USEPA, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
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9
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Jensen MA, Blatz DJ, LaLone CA. Defining the Biologically Plausible Taxonomic Domain of Applicability of an Adverse Outcome Pathway: A Case Study Linking Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Activation to Colony Death. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:71-87. [PMID: 36263952 PMCID: PMC10100214 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
For the majority of developed adverse outcome pathways (AOPs), the taxonomic domain of applicability (tDOA) is typically narrowly defined with a single or a handful of species. Defining the tDOA of an AOP is critical for use in regulatory decision-making, particularly when considering protection of untested species. Structural and functional conservation are two elements that can be considered when defining the tDOA. Publicly accessible bioinformatics approaches, such as the Sequence Alignment to Predict Across Species Susceptibility (SeqAPASS) tool, take advantage of existing and growing databases of protein sequence and structural information to provide lines of evidence toward structural conservation of key events (KEs) and KE relationships (KERs) of an AOP. It is anticipated that SeqAPASS results could readily be combined with data derived from empirical toxicity studies to provide evidence of both structural and functional conservation, to define the tDOA for KEs, KERs, and AOPs. Such data could be incorporated in the AOP-Wiki as lines of evidence toward biological plausibility for the tDOA. We present a case study describing the process of using bioinformatics to define the tDOA of an AOP using an AOP linking the activation of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor to colony death/failure in Apis mellifera. Although the AOP was developed to gain a particular biological understanding relative to A. mellifera health, applicability to other Apis bees, as well as non-Apis bees, has yet to be defined. The present study demonstrates how bioinformatics can be utilized to rapidly take advantage of existing protein sequence and structural knowledge to enhance and inform the tDOA of KEs, KERs, and AOPs, focusing on providing evidence of structural conservation across species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:71-87. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa A. Jensen
- Department of Biology, Swenson College of Science and EngineeringUniversity of Minnesota DuluthDuluthMinnesotaUSA
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Computational Toxicology and ExposureGreat Lakes Toxicology and Ecology DivisionDuluthMinnesotaUSA
| | | | - Carlie A. LaLone
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Computational Toxicology and ExposureGreat Lakes Toxicology and Ecology DivisionDuluthMinnesotaUSA
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10
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Olker JH, Korte JJ, Haselman JT, Hornung MW, Degitz SJ. Cross-species comparison of chemical inhibition of human and Xenopus iodotyrosine deiodinase. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 249:106227. [PMID: 35767922 PMCID: PMC9887787 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2022.106227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The transition to include in vitro-based data in chemical hazard assessment has resulted in the development and implementation of screening assays to cover a diversity of biological pathways, including recently added assays to interrogate chemical disruption of proteins relevant to thyroid signaling pathways. Iodotyrosine deiodinase (IYD), the iodide recycling enzyme, is one such thyroid-relevant endpoint for which a human-based screening assay has recently been developed and used to screen large libraries of chemicals. Presented here is the development of an amphibian IYD inhibition assay and its implementation to conduct a cross-species comparison between chemical inhibition of mammalian and non-mammalian IYD enzyme activity. The successful development of an amphibian IYD inhibition assay was based on demonstration of sufficient IYD enzyme activity in several tissues collected from larval Xenopus laevis. With this new assay, 154 chemicals were tested in concentration-response to provide a basis for comparison of relative chemical potency to results obtained from the human IYD assay. Most chemicals exhibited similar inhibition in both assays, with less than 25% variation in median inhibition for 120 of 154 chemicals and 85% concordance in categorization of "active" (potential IYD inhibitor) versus "inactive". For chemicals that produced 50% or greater inhibition in both assays, rank-order potency was similar, with the majority of the IC50s varying by less than 2-fold (and all within an order of magnitude). Most differences resulted from greater maximum inhibition or higher chemical potency observed with human IYD. This strong cross-species agreement suggests that results from the human-based assay would be conservatively predictive of chemical effects on amphibian IYD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer H Olker
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN 55804, USA.
| | - Joseph J Korte
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Jonathan T Haselman
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Michael W Hornung
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Sigmund J Degitz
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN 55804, USA
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11
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Roles of Estrogens in the Healthy and Diseased Oviparous Vertebrate Liver. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11080502. [PMID: 34436443 PMCID: PMC8398935 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11080502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver is a vital organ that sustains multiple functions beneficial for the whole organism. It is sexually dimorphic, presenting sex-biased gene expression with implications for the phenotypic differences between males and females. Estrogens are involved in this sex dimorphism and their actions in the liver of several reptiles, fishes, amphibians, and birds are discussed. The liver participates in reproduction by producing vitellogenins (yolk proteins) and eggshell proteins under the control of estrogens that act via two types of receptors active either mainly in the cell nucleus (ESR) or the cell membrane (GPER1). Estrogens also control hepatic lipid and lipoprotein metabolisms, with a triglyceride carrier role for VLDL from the liver to the ovaries during oogenesis. Moreover, the activation of the vitellogenin genes is used as a robust biomarker for exposure to xenoestrogens. In the context of liver diseases, high plasma estrogen levels are observed in fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) in chicken implicating estrogens in the disease progression. Fishes are also used to investigate liver diseases, including models generated by mutation and transgenesis. In conclusion, studies on the roles of estrogens in the non-mammalian oviparous vertebrate liver have contributed enormously to unveil hormone-dependent physiological and physiopathological processes.
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12
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Ankley GT, Berninger JP, Blackwell BR, Cavallin JE, Collette TW, Ekman DR, Fay KA, Feifarek DJ, Jensen KM, Kahl MD, Mosley JD, Poole ST, Randolph EC, Rearick D, Schroeder AL, Swintek J, Villeneuve DL. Pathway-Based Approaches for Assessing Biological Hazards of Complex Mixtures of Contaminants: A Case Study in the Maumee River. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:1098-1122. [PMID: 33270248 PMCID: PMC9554926 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Assessment of ecological risks of chemicals in the field usually involves complex mixtures of known and unknown compounds. We describe the use of pathway-based chemical and biological approaches to assess the risk of chemical mixtures in the Maumee River (OH, USA), which receives a variety of agricultural and urban inputs. Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were deployed in cages for 4 d at a gradient of sites along the river and adjoining tributaries in 2012 and during 2 periods (April and June) in 2016, in conjunction with an automated system to collect composite water samples. More than 100 industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides were detected in water at some of the study sites, with the greatest number typically found near domestic wastewater treatment plants. In 2016, there was an increase in concentrations of several herbicides from April to June at upstream agricultural sites. A comparison of chemical concentrations in site water with single chemical data from vitro high-throughput screening (HTS) assays suggested the potential for perturbation of multiple biological pathways, including several associated with induction or inhibition of different cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes. This was consistent with direct effects of water extracts in an HTS assay and induction of hepatic CYPs in caged fish. Targeted in vitro assays and measurements in the caged fish suggested minimal effects on endocrine function (e.g., estrogenicity). A nontargeted mass spectroscopy-based analysis suggested that hepatic endogenous metabolite profiles in caged fish covaried strongly with the occurrence of pesticides and pesticide degradates. These studies demonstrate the application of an integrated suite of measurements to help understand the effects of complex chemical mixtures in the field. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1098-1122. © 2020 SETAC. This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- GT Ankley
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
- Corresponding Author: Gerald Ankley;
| | - JP Berninger
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - BR Blackwell
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - JE Cavallin
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - TW Collette
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Ecosystem Processes Division, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - DR Ekman
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Ecosystem Processes Division, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - KA Fay
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - DJ Feifarek
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - KM Jensen
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - MD Kahl
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - JD Mosley
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Ecosystem Processes Division, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - ST Poole
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - EC Randolph
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - D Rearick
- General Dynamics Information Technology, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - AL Schroeder
- University of Minnesota – Crookston, Math, Science, and Technology Department, Crookston, Minnesota, USA
| | - J Swintek
- Badger Technical Services, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, Minnesota. USA
| | - DL Villeneuve
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
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13
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Houck KA, Simha A, Bone A, Doering JA, Vliet SMF, LaLone C, Medvedev A, Makarov S. Evaluation of a multiplexed, multispecies nuclear receptor assay for chemical hazard assessment. Toxicol In Vitro 2021; 72:105016. [PMID: 33049310 PMCID: PMC11267479 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2020.105016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Sensitivity to potential endocrine disrupting chemicals in the environment varies across species and is influenced by sequence conservation of their nuclear receptor targets. Here, we evaluated a multiplexed, in vitro assay testing receptors relevant to endocrine and metabolic disruption from five species. The TRANS-FACTORIAL™ system of human nuclear receptors was modified to include additional species: mouse (Mus musculus), frog (Xenopus laevis), zebrafish (Danio rerio), chicken (Gallus gallus), and turtle (Chrysemys picta). Receptors regulating endocrine function and xenobiotic recognition were included, specifically: ERα, ERβ, AR, TRα, TRβ, PPARγ and PXR. The assay, ECOTOX-FACTORIAL™, was evaluated with 191 chemicals enriched with known receptor ligands. Hierarchical clustering of potency values demonstrated strong coherence of receptor families. Interspecies comparisons of responses within a receptor family showed moderate to high concordance for potencies under 50 μM. PPARγ showed high concordance between mammalian species, 89%, but only 63% between mammalian and zebrafish. For chemicals with potencies below 1 μM, concordances were 89-100% for all receptors except PXR. Concordance showed a strong positive relationship to ligand-binding domain sequence similarity and critical amino acid residues obtained by the Sequence Alignment to Predict Across Species Susceptibility (SeqAPASS) tool. In combination with SeqAPASS, ECOTOX-FACTORIAL may provide efficient screening of important receptors to identify species of high priority for effects monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith A Houck
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
| | - Anita Simha
- ORAU, Contractor to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the National Student Services Contract, United States
| | - Audrey Bone
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Jon A Doering
- National Research Council, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Sara M F Vliet
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Ecology, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Carlie LaLone
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN, United States of America
| | - Alex Medvedev
- Attagene, Inc., 7030 Kit Creek Rd, Morrisville, NC 27560, United States of America
| | - Sergei Makarov
- Attagene, Inc., 7030 Kit Creek Rd, Morrisville, NC 27560, United States of America
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14
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Mayasich SA, Korte JJ, Denny JS, Hartig PC, Olker JH, DeGoey P, O'Flanagan J, Degitz SJ, Hornung MW. Xenopus laevis and human type 3 iodothyronine deiodinase enzyme cross-species sensitivity to inhibition by ToxCast chemicals. Toxicol In Vitro 2021; 73:105141. [PMID: 33713820 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2021.105141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Deiodinase enzymes are critical for tissue-specific and temporal control of activation or inactivation of thyroid hormones during vertebrate development, including amphibian metamorphosis. We previously screened ToxCast chemicals for inhibitory activity toward human recombinant Type 3 iodothyronine deiodinase enzyme (hDIO3) and subsequently produced Xenopus laevis recombinant dio3 enzyme (Xldio3) with the goals to identify specific chemical inhibitors of Xldio3, to evaluate cross-species sensitivity and explore whether the human assay results are predictive of the amphibian. We identified a subset of 356 chemicals screened against hDIO3 to test against Xldio3, initially at a single concentration (200 μM), and further tested 79 in concentration-response mode. Most chemicals had IC50 values lower for hDIO3 than for Xldio3 and many had steep Hill slopes (a potential indication of non-specific inhibition). However, eight of the most potent chemicals are likely specific inhibitors, with IC50 values of 14 μM or less, Hill slopes near -1 and curves not significantly different between species likely due to conservation of catalytically active amino acids. Controlling for assay conditions, human in vitro screening results can be predictive of activity in the amphibian assay. This study lays the groundwork for future studies using recombinant non-mammalian proteins to test cross-species sensitivity to chemicals. DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally A Mayasich
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA; Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Center for Computational Toxicology and Ecology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Joseph J Korte
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Center for Computational Toxicology and Ecology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Denny
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Center for Computational Toxicology and Ecology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Phillip C Hartig
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Jennifer H Olker
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Center for Computational Toxicology and Ecology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Philip DeGoey
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Center for Computational Toxicology and Ecology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Joseph O'Flanagan
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Center for Computational Toxicology and Ecology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN, USA; Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Sigmund J Degitz
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Center for Computational Toxicology and Ecology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Michael W Hornung
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Center for Computational Toxicology and Ecology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN, USA.
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15
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Ankley GT, Cureton P, Hoke RA, Houde M, Kumar A, Kurias J, Lanno R, McCarthy C, Newsted J, Salice CJ, Sample BE, Sepúlveda MS, Steevens J, Valsecchi S. Assessing the Ecological Risks of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: Current State-of-the Science and a Proposed Path Forward. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:564-605. [PMID: 32897586 PMCID: PMC7984443 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) encompass a large, heterogenous group of chemicals of potential concern to human health and the environment. Based on information for a few relatively well-understood PFAS such as perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoate, there is ample basis to suspect that at least a subset can be considered persistent, bioaccumulative, and/or toxic. However, data suitable for determining risks in either prospective or retrospective assessments are lacking for the majority of PFAS. In August 2019, the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry sponsored a workshop that focused on the state-of-the-science supporting risk assessment of PFAS. The present review summarizes discussions concerning the ecotoxicology and ecological risks of PFAS. First, we summarize currently available information relevant to problem formulation/prioritization, exposure, and hazard/effects of PFAS in the context of regulatory and ecological risk assessment activities from around the world. We then describe critical gaps and uncertainties relative to ecological risk assessments for PFAS and propose approaches to address these needs. Recommendations include the development of more comprehensive monitoring programs to support exposure assessment, an emphasis on research to support the formulation of predictive models for bioaccumulation, and the development of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo methods to efficiently assess biological effects for potentially sensitive species/endpoints. Addressing needs associated with assessing the ecological risk of PFAS will require cross-disciplinary approaches that employ both conventional and new methods in an integrated, resource-effective manner. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:564-605. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald T. Ankley
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection AgencyDuluthMinnesotaUSA
| | - Philippa Cureton
- Science and Risk Assessment Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, GatineauQuebecCanada
| | | | - Magali Houde
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, MontrealQuebecCanada
| | - Anupama Kumar
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation UrrbraeSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Jessy Kurias
- Science and Risk Assessment Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, GatineauQuebecCanada
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Maria S. Sepúlveda
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue UniversityWest LayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Jeffery Steevens
- US Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research CenterColumbiaMissouriUSA
| | - Sara Valsecchi
- Water Research Institute, National Research CouncilBrugherioMonza and BrianzaItaly
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16
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Medvedev AV, Medvedeva LA, Martsen E, Moeser M, Gorman KL, Lin B, Blackwell B, Villeneuve DL, Houck KA, Crofton KM, Makarov SS. Harmonized Cross-Species Assessment of Endocrine and Metabolic Disruptors by Ecotox FACTORIAL Assay. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:12142-12153. [PMID: 32901485 PMCID: PMC11285471 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c03375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Environmental pollution is a threat to humans and wildlife species. Of particular concern are endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). An important target of EDCs is nuclear receptors (NRs) that control endocrine and metabolic responses through transcriptional regulation. Owing in part to structural differences of NRs, adverse effects of EDCs vary significantly among species. Here, we describe a multiplexed reporter assay (the Ecotox FACTORIAL) enabling parallel assessment of compounds' effects on estrogen, androgen, thyroid, and PPARγ receptors of representative mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. The Ecotox FACTORIAL is a single-well assay comprising a set of species-specific, one-hybrid GAL4-NR reporter constructs transiently transfected into test cells. To harmonize cross-species assessments, we used a combination of two approaches. First, we used the same type of test cells for all reporters; second, we implemented a parallel detection of reporter RNAs. The assay demonstrated excellent quality, reproducibility, and insignificant intra-assay variability. Importantly, the EC50 values for NR ligands were consistent with those reported for conventional assays. Using the assay allowed ranking the hazard potential of environmental pollutants (e.g., bisphenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and synthetic progestins) across species. Furthermore, the assay permitted detecting taxa-specific effects of surface water samples. Therefore, the Ecotox FACTORIAL enables harmonized assessment of the endocrine and metabolic disrupting activity of chemicals and surface water in humans as well as in wildlife species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Brett Blackwell
- US Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN 55804
| | - Daniel L. Villeneuve
- US Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN 55804
| | - Keith A. Houck
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
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17
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Tapper MA, Kolanczyk RC, LaLone CA, Denny JS, Ankley GT. Conversion of Estrone to 17β-Estradiol: A Potential Confounding Factor in Assessing Risks of Environmental Estrogens to Fish. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2020; 39:2028-2040. [PMID: 33448467 PMCID: PMC8015245 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Feminization of male fish and the role of endocrine-active chemicals in this phenomenon has been an area of intense study for many years. Estrone (E1), a natural steroid, is found in aquatic environments sometimes at high concentrations relative to the estrogenic steroids 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17α-ethynylestradiol. However, E1 has been less thoroughly studied than E2 or 17α-ethynylestradiol due in part to a relatively lower potency in metabolically limited estrogen receptor (ER) binding/activation assays. Recent evidence suggests that in vivo biotransformation of E1 to E2 may occur in fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) residing in environments with high concentrations of E1, such as near wastewater treatment plants. The enzymes likely responsible for this biotransformation, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17βHSDs), have been well characterized in mammals but to a lesser extent in fish species. In the present study, a novel systematic analysis of amino acid sequence data from the National Center for Biotechnology Information database demonstrated that multiple 17βHSD isoforms are conserved across different fish species. Experimentally, we showed that metabolically active hepatic cytosolic preparations from 2 commercially important salmonid species, rainbow trout and lake trout, biotransformed E1 to E2 to a degree sufficient to alter results of competitive ER binding assays. These results from in silico and in vitro analyses indicate that E1 and biotransformation may play a significant role in adverse effects on development and reproduction of a variety of fish species in contaminated aquatic environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:2028-2040. Published 2020. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Tapper
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Richard C Kolanczyk
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Carlie A LaLone
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Denny
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Gerald T Ankley
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
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18
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McArdle ME, Freeman EL, Staveley JP, Ortego LS, Coady KK, Weltje L, Weyers A, Wheeler JR, Bone AJ. Critical Review of Read-Across Potential in Testing for Endocrine-Related Effects in Vertebrate Ecological Receptors. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2020; 39:739-753. [PMID: 32030793 PMCID: PMC7154679 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2019] [Revised: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Recent regulatory testing programs have been designed to evaluate whether a chemical has the potential to interact with the endocrine system and could cause adverse effects. Some endocrine pathways are highly conserved among vertebrates, providing a potential to extrapolate data generated for one vertebrate taxonomic group to others (i.e., biological read-across). To assess the potential for biological read-across, we reviewed tools and approaches that support species extrapolation for fish, amphibians, birds, and reptiles. For each of the estrogen, androgen, thyroid, and steroidogenesis (EATS) pathways, we considered the pathway conservation across species and the responses of endocrine-sensitive endpoints. The available data show a high degree of confidence in the conservation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis between fish and mammals and the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis between amphibians and mammals. Comparatively, there is less empirical evidence for the conservation of other EATS pathways between other taxonomic groups, but this may be due to limited data. Although more information on sensitive pathways and endpoints would be useful, current developments in the use of molecular target sequencing similarity tools and thoughtful application of the adverse outcome pathway concept show promise for further advancement of read-across approaches for testing EATS pathways in vertebrate ecological receptors. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:739-753. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lisa S. Ortego
- Environmental Safety, Bayer CropScienceChesterfieldMissouriUSA
| | - Katherine K. Coady
- Toxicology and Environmental Research and Consulting, Dow ChemicalMidlandMichiganUSA
| | - Lennart Weltje
- BASF SE, Agricultural Solutions‐EcotoxicologyLimburgerhofGermany
| | - Arnd Weyers
- Crop Science DivisionBayerMonheim am RheinGermany
| | | | - Audrey J. Bone
- Environmental Safety, Bayer CropScienceChesterfieldMissouriUSA
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19
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Rutherford R, Lister A, Bosker T, Blewett T, Gillio Meina E, Chehade I, Kanagasabesan T, MacLatchy D. Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) are less sensitive to 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE 2) than other common model teleosts: A comparative review of reproductive effects. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 289:113378. [PMID: 31899193 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The environmental estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) will depress or completely inhibit egg production in many common model teleosts at low concentrations (≤0.5 ng/L; Runnalls et al., 2015). This inhibition is not seen in the estuarine killifish, or mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), even when exposed to 100 ng/L EE2. This relative insensitivity to EE2 exposure indicates species-specific mechanisms for compensating for exogenous estrogenic exposure. This review compares various reproductive responses elicited by EE2 in mummichog to other common model teleosts, such as zebrafish (Danio rerio) and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), identifying key endpoints where mummichog differ from other studied fish. For example, EE2 accumulates primarily in the liver/gall bladder of mummichog, which is different than zebrafish and fathead minnow in which accumulation is predominantly in the carcass. Despite causing species-specific differences in fecundity, EE2 has been shown to consistently induce hepatic vitellogenin in males and cause feminization/sex reversal during gonadal differentiation in larval mummichog, similar to other species. In addition, while gonadal steroidogenesis and plasma steroid levels respond to exogenous EE2, it is generally at higher concentrations than observed in other species. In mummichog, production of 17β-estradiol (E2) by full grown ovarian follicles remains high; unlike other teleost models where E2 synthesis decreases as 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-prenen-3-on levels increase to induce oocyte maturation. New evidence in mummichog indicates some dissimilarity in gonadal steroidogenic gene expression responses compared to gene expression responses in zebrafish and fathead minnow exposed to EE2. The role of ovarian physiology continues to warrant investigation regarding the tolerance of mummichog to exogenous EE2 exposure. Here we present a comprehensive review, highlighting key biological differences in response to EE2 exposure between mummichog and other commonly used model teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Rutherford
- Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, Canada.
| | - Andrea Lister
- Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, Canada.
| | - Thijs Bosker
- Leiden University College/Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, P.O. Box 13228, 2501 EE, The Hague, the Netherlands.
| | - Tamzin Blewett
- University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, 116 St & 85 Ave, T6G 2R3, Canada.
| | | | - Ibrahim Chehade
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | | | - Deborah MacLatchy
- Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, Canada.
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20
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Martyniuk CJ, Feswick A, Munkittrick KR, Dreier DA, Denslow ND. Twenty years of transcriptomics, 17alpha-ethinylestradiol, and fish. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 286:113325. [PMID: 31733209 PMCID: PMC6961817 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In aquatic toxicology, perhaps no pharmaceutical has been investigated more intensely than 17alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2), the active ingredient of the birth control pill. At the turn of the century, the fields of comparative endocrinology and endocrine disruption research witnessed the emergence of omics technologies, which were rapidly adapted to characterize potential hazards associated with exposures to environmental estrogens, such as EE2. Since then, significant advances have been made by the scientific community, and as a result, much has been learned about estrogen receptor signaling in fish from environmental xenoestrogens. Vitellogenin, the egg yolk precursor protein, was identified as a major estrogen-responsive gene, establishing itself as the premier biomarker for estrogenic exposures. Omics studies have identified a plethora of estrogen responsive genes, contributing to a wealth of knowledge on estrogen-mediated regulatory networks in teleosts. There have been ~40 studies that report on transcriptome responses to EE2 in a variety of fish species (e.g., zebrafish, fathead minnows, rainbow trout, pipefish, mummichog, stickleback, cod, and others). Data on the liver and testis transcriptomes dominate in the literature and have been the subject of many EE2 studies, yet there remain knowledge gaps for other tissues, such as the spleen, kidney, and pituitary. Inter-laboratory genomics studies have revealed transcriptional networks altered by EE2 treatment in the liver; networks related to amino acid activation and protein folding are increased by EE2 while those related to xenobiotic metabolism, immune system, circulation, and triglyceride storage are suppressed. EE2-responsive networks in other tissues are not as comprehensively defined which is a knowledge gap as regulated networks are expected to be tissue-specific. On the horizon, omics studies for estrogen-mediated effects in fish include: (1) Establishing conceptual frameworks for incorporating estrogen-responsive networks into environmental monitoring programs; (2) Leveraging in vitro and computational toxicology approaches to identify chemicals associated with estrogen receptor-mediated effects in fish (e.g., male vitellogenin production); (3) Discovering new tissue-specific estrogen receptor signaling pathways in fish; and (4) Developing quantitative adverse outcome pathway predictive models for estrogen signaling. As we look ahead, research into EE2 over the past several decades can serve as a template for the array of hormones and endocrine active substances yet to be fully characterized or discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Martyniuk
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada; Center for Environmental & Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; University of Florida Genetics Institute, USA; Canadian Rivers Institute, Canada.
| | - April Feswick
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada; Canadian Rivers Institute, Canada
| | - Kelly R Munkittrick
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada; Department of Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada; Canadian Rivers Institute, Canada
| | - David A Dreier
- Center for Environmental & Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | - Nancy D Denslow
- Center for Environmental & Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; University of Florida Genetics Institute, USA
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21
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Doering JA, Lee S, Kristiansen K, Evenseth L, Barron MG, Sylte I, LaLone CA. In Silico Site-Directed Mutagenesis Informs Species-Specific Predictions of Chemical Susceptibility Derived From the Sequence Alignment to Predict Across Species Susceptibility (SeqAPASS) Tool. Toxicol Sci 2019; 166:131-145. [PMID: 30060110 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfy186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical hazard assessment requires extrapolation of information from model organisms to all species of concern. The Sequence Alignment to Predict Across Species Susceptibility (SeqAPASS) tool was developed as a rapid, cost-effective method to aid cross-species extrapolation of susceptibility to chemicals acting on specific protein targets through evaluation of protein structural similarities and differences. The greatest resolution for extrapolation of chemical susceptibility across species involves comparisons of individual amino acid residues at key positions involved in protein-chemical interactions. However, a lack of understanding of whether specific amino acid substitutions among species at key positions in proteins affect interaction with chemicals made manual interpretation of alignments time consuming and potentially inconsistent. Therefore, this study used in silico site-directed mutagenesis coupled with docking simulations of computational models for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and ecdysone receptor (EcR) to investigate how specific amino acid substitutions impact protein-chemical interaction. This study found that computationally derived substitutions in identities of key amino acids caused no change in protein-chemical interaction if residues share the same side chain functional properties and have comparable molecular dimensions, while differences in these characteristics can change protein-chemical interaction. These findings were considered in the development of capabilities for automatically generated species-specific predictions of chemical susceptibility in SeqAPASS. These predictions for AChE and EcR were shown to agree with SeqAPASS predictions comparing the primary sequence and functional domain sequence of proteins for more than 90% of the investigated species, but also identified dramatic species-specific differences in chemical susceptibility that align with results from standard toxicity tests. These results provide a compelling line of evidence for use of SeqAPASS in deriving screening level, species-specific, susceptibility predictions across broad taxonomic groups for application to human and ecological hazard assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon A Doering
- Mid-Continent Ecology Division.,National Research Council, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota 55804
| | - Sehan Lee
- Gulf Ecology Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561.,Molecular Design Team, New Drug Development Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation (DGMIF), 41061 Daegu City, Korea
| | - Kurt Kristiansen
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromso-The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037, Tromso, Norway
| | - Linn Evenseth
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromso-The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037, Tromso, Norway
| | - Mace G Barron
- Gulf Ecology Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561
| | - Ingebrigt Sylte
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromso-The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037, Tromso, Norway
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22
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Corsi SR, De Cicco LA, Villeneuve DL, Blackwell BR, Fay KA, Ankley GT, Baldwin AK. Prioritizing chemicals of ecological concern in Great Lakes tributaries using high-throughput screening data and adverse outcome pathways. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 686:995-1009. [PMID: 31412529 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Chemical monitoring data were collected in surface waters from 57 Great Lakes tributaries from 2010 to 13 to identify chemicals of potential biological relevance and sites at which these chemicals occur. Traditional water-quality benchmarks for aquatic life based on in vivo toxicity data were available for 34 of 67 evaluated chemicals. To expand evaluation of potential biological effects, measured chemical concentrations were compared to chemical-specific biological activities determined in high-throughput (ToxCast) in vitro assays. Resulting exposure-activity ratios (EARs) were used to prioritize the chemicals of greatest potential concern: 4‑nonylphenol, bisphenol A, metolachlor, atrazine, DEET, caffeine, tris(2‑butoxyethyl) phosphate, tributyl phosphate, triphenyl phosphate, benzo(a)pyrene, fluoranthene, and benzophenone. Water-quality benchmarks were unavailable for five of these chemicals, but for the remaining seven, EAR-based prioritization was consistent with that based on toxicity quotients calculated from benchmarks. Water-quality benchmarks identified three additional PAHs (anthracene, phenanthrene, and pyrene) not prioritized using EARs. Through this analysis, an EAR of 10-3 was identified as a reasonable threshold above which a chemical might be of potential concern. To better understand apical hazards potentially associated with biological activities captured in ToxCast assays, in vitro bioactivity data were matched with available adverse outcome pathway (AOP) information. The 49 ToxCast assays prioritized via EAR analysis aligned with 23 potentially-relevant AOPs present in the AOP-Wiki. Mixture effects at monitored sites were estimated by summation of EAR values for multiple chemicals by individual assay or individual AOP. Commonly predicted adverse outcomes included impacts on reproduction and mitochondrial function. The EAR approach provided a screening-level assessment for evidence-based prioritization of chemicals and sites with potential for adverse biological effects. The approach aids prioritization of future monitoring activities and provides testable hypotheses to help focus those efforts. This also expands the fraction of detected chemicals for which biologically-based benchmark concentrations are available to help contextualize chemical monitoring results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven R Corsi
- U.S. Geological Survey, Middleton, WI 53562, United States.
| | | | - Daniel L Villeneuve
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Duluth, MN 55804, United States
| | - Brett R Blackwell
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Duluth, MN 55804, United States
| | - Kellie A Fay
- General Dynamics Information Technology, Duluth, MN 55804, United States
| | - Gerald T Ankley
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Duluth, MN 55804, United States
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23
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Coffin S, Lee I, Gan J, Schlenk D. Simulated digestion of polystyrene foam enhances desorption of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and In vitro estrogenic activity in a size-dependent manner. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 246:452-462. [PMID: 30583153 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Marine polychaetes and fish are known to ingest polystyrene microparticles in the environment. Laboratory microplastic feeding experiments have demonstrated that plastic may release endocrine-disrupting compounds such as diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), which can cause adverse effects in both vertebrates and invertebrates. In order to determine the influence of size and digestive conditions on the desorption of DEHP and other plasticizers to polychaetes and fish, we exposed polystyrene particles of various sizes under invertebrate and vertebrate digestive conditions (vertebrate mimic; pepsin, pH = 2.0, 24 °C, invertebrate mimic; Na taurocholate pH = 7, 18 °C). Estrogen receptor activation and concentrations of 12 plasticizers were measured in the extracts. DEHP, bisphenol S and 4-tert-octylphenol were the only compounds detected. Simulated vertebrate gut digestion did not significantly enhance the release of chemicals nor estrogenic activity. However, a 6.3 ± 2.0-fold increase in the concentration of DEHP was observed in extracts from invertebrate gut conditions (Mean ± SD; N = 24, p < 0.0001). Additionally, estimated particle surface area was positively correlated with estrogenic activity across all treatment types (r = 0.85, p < 0.0001). Overall, these data indicate an elevated bioaccessibility of DEHP may occur in invertebrates, and size-dependent desorption of uncharacterized estrogenic compounds from plastic suggest additional complexity when considering the risks of MP to aquatic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Coffin
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, USA.
| | - Ilkeun Lee
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, USA
| | - Jay Gan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, USA
| | - Daniel Schlenk
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, USA
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24
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LaLone CA, Villeneuve DL, Doering JA, Blackwell BR, Transue TR, Simmons CW, Swintek J, Degitz SJ, Williams AJ, Ankley GT. Evidence for Cross Species Extrapolation of Mammalian-Based High-Throughput Screening Assay Results. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:13960-13971. [PMID: 30351027 PMCID: PMC8283686 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b04587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
High-throughput screening (HTS) and computational technologies have emerged as important tools for chemical hazard identification. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the Toxicity ForeCaster (ToxCast) Program, which has screened thousands of chemicals in hundreds of mammalian-based HTS assays for biological activity. The data are being used to prioritize toxicity testing on those chemicals likely to lead to adverse effects. To use HTS assays in predicting hazard to both humans and wildlife, it is necessary to understand how broadly these data may be extrapolated across species. The US EPA Sequence Alignment to Predict Across Species Susceptibility (SeqAPASS; https://seqapass.epa.gov/seqapass/ ) tool was used to assess conservation of the 484 protein targets represented in the suite of ToxCast assays and other HTS assays. To demonstrate the utility of the SeqAPASS data for guiding extrapolation, case studies were developed which focused on targets of interest to the US Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. These case studies provide a line of evidence for conservation of endocrine targets across vertebrate species, with few exceptions, and demonstrate the utility of SeqAPASS for defining the taxonomic domain of applicability for HTS results and identifying organisms for suitable follow-up toxicity tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlie A. LaLone
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Mid-Continent Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
- Corresponding Author: Carlie A. LaLone:
| | - Daniel L. Villeneuve
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Mid-Continent Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Jon A. Doering
- National Research Council, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Brett R. Blackwell
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Mid-Continent Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Thomas R. Transue
- CSRA Inc., 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Cody W. Simmons
- CSRA Inc., 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Joe Swintek
- Badger Technical Services, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Sigmund J. Degitz
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Mid-Continent Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Antony J. Williams
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Center for Computational Toxicology, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Gerald T. Ankley
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Mid-Continent Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
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25
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Van den Brink PJ, Boxall AB, Maltby L, Brooks BW, Rudd MA, Backhaus T, Spurgeon D, Verougstraete V, Ajao C, Ankley GT, Apitz SE, Arnold K, Brodin T, Cañedo-Argüelles M, Chapman J, Corrales J, Coutellec MA, Fernandes TF, Fick J, Ford AT, Papiol GG, Groh KJ, Hutchinson TH, Kruger H, Kukkonen JV, Loutseti S, Marshall S, Muir D, Ortiz-Santaliestra ME, Paul KB, Rico A, Rodea-Palomares I, Römbke J, Rydberg T, Segner H, Smit M, van Gestel CA, Vighi M, Werner I, Zimmer EI, van Wensem J. Toward sustainable environmental quality: Priority research questions for Europe. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2018; 37:2281-2295. [PMID: 30027629 PMCID: PMC6214210 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 04/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals have been established to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. Delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals will require a healthy and productive environment. An understanding of the impacts of chemicals which can negatively impact environmental health is therefore essential to the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals. However, current research on and regulation of chemicals in the environment tend to take a simplistic view and do not account for the complexity of the real world, which inhibits the way we manage chemicals. There is therefore an urgent need for a step change in the way we study and communicate the impacts and control of chemicals in the natural environment. To do this requires the major research questions to be identified so that resources are focused on questions that really matter. We present the findings of a horizon-scanning exercise to identify research priorities of the European environmental science community around chemicals in the environment. Using the key questions approach, we identified 22 questions of priority. These questions covered overarching questions about which chemicals we should be most concerned about and where, impacts of global megatrends, protection goals, and sustainability of chemicals; the development and parameterization of assessment and management frameworks; and mechanisms to maximize the impact of the research. The research questions identified provide a first-step in the path forward for the research, regulatory, and business communities to better assess and manage chemicals in the natural environment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2281-2295. © 2018 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J. Van den Brink
- Department of Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Wageningen Environmental Research (Alterra), P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Alistair B.A. Boxall
- Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5NG, UK
- Corresponding author:
| | - Lorraine Maltby
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Bryan W. Brooks
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | | | - Thomas Backhaus
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Carl Skottsbergs Gata 22 B, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - David Spurgeon
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, MacLean Building, Benson Lane, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 8BB, UK
| | | | - Charmaine Ajao
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), Annankatu 18, 00120 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gerald T. Ankley
- US Environmental Protection Agency, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN, 55804, USA
| | - Sabine E. Apitz
- SEA Environmental Decisions, Ltd., 1 South Cottages, The Ford; Little Hadham, Hertfordshire SG11 2AT, UK
| | - Kathryn Arnold
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Tomas Brodin
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles
- Freshwater Ecology and Management (FEM) Research Group, Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Institut de Recerca de l’Aigua (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Aquatic Ecology Group, BETA Tecnio Centre, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia, Vic, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jennifer Chapman
- Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5NG, UK
| | - Jone Corrales
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | | | - Teresa F. Fernandes
- Institute of Life and Earth Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK
| | - Jerker Fick
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Alex T. Ford
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Ferry Road, Portsmouth, England, PO4 9LY, UK
| | - Gemma Giménez Papiol
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Chemical Engineering Department, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans 26, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Ksenia J. Groh
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf Switzerland
| | - Thomas H. Hutchinson
- School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, United Kingdom
| | - Hank Kruger
- Wildlife International Ltd., Easton, Maryland, USA
| | - Jussi V.K. Kukkonen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, P.O. Box 35, FI-40014 University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Stefania Loutseti
- DuPont De Nemours, Agriculture & Nutrition Crop Protection, Hellas S.A. Halandri Ydras 2& Kifisias Avenue 280r. 15232 Athens, Greece
| | - Stuart Marshall
- Unilever, Safety & Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, MK441LQ, UK. (Retired)
| | - Derek Muir
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Water Science Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario L7S 1A1 Canada
| | - Manuel E. Ortiz-Santaliestra
- Spanish Institute of Game and Wildlife Resources (IREC) CSIC-UCLM-JCCM. Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Kai B. Paul
- Blue Frog Scientific Limited, Quantum House, 91 George St., EH2 3ES, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andreu Rico
- IMDEA Water Institute, Science and Technology Campus of the University of Alcalá, Avenida Punto Com 2, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ismael Rodea-Palomares
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Jörg Römbke
- ECT Oekotoxikologie GmbH, Böttgerstrasse 2-14, D-65439 Flörsheim, Germany
| | - Tomas Rydberg
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, PO Box 5302, 40014 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Helmut Segner
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mathijs Smit
- Shell Global Solutions, Carel van Bylandtlaan 30, 2596 HR The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
- Department of Ecological Science, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marco Vighi
- IMDEA Water Institute, Science and Technology Campus of the University of Alcalá, Avenida Punto Com 2, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Inge Werner
- Swiss Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology, Ueberlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | | | - Joke van Wensem
- Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, P.O. Box 20901, 2500 EX The Hague, The Netherlands
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26
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Andersson N, Arena M, Auteri D, Barmaz S, Grignard E, Kienzler A, Lepper P, Lostia AM, Munn S, Parra Morte JM, Pellizzato F, Tarazona J, Terron A, Van der Linden S. Guidance for the identification of endocrine disruptors in the context of Regulations (EU) No 528/2012 and (EC) No 1107/2009. EFSA J 2018; 16:e05311. [PMID: 32625944 PMCID: PMC7009395 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This Guidance describes how to perform hazard identification for endocrine-disrupting properties by following the scientific criteria which are outlined in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/2100 and Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/605 for biocidal products and plant protection products, respectively.
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27
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Bell SM, Chang X, Wambaugh JF, Allen DG, Bartels M, Brouwer KLR, Casey WM, Choksi N, Ferguson SS, Fraczkiewicz G, Jarabek AM, Ke A, Lumen A, Lynn SG, Paini A, Price PS, Ring C, Simon TW, Sipes NS, Sprankle CS, Strickland J, Troutman J, Wetmore BA, Kleinstreuer NC. In vitro to in vivo extrapolation for high throughput prioritization and decision making. Toxicol In Vitro 2017; 47:213-227. [PMID: 29203341 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2017.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
In vitro chemical safety testing methods offer the potential for efficient and economical tools to provide relevant assessments of human health risk. To realize this potential, methods are needed to relate in vitro effects to in vivo responses, i.e., in vitro to in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE). Currently available IVIVE approaches need to be refined before they can be utilized for regulatory decision-making. To explore the capabilities and limitations of IVIVE within this context, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development and the National Toxicology Program Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods co-organized a workshop and webinar series. Here, we integrate content from the webinars and workshop to discuss activities and resources that would promote inclusion of IVIVE in regulatory decision-making. We discuss properties of models that successfully generate predictions of in vivo doses from effective in vitro concentration, including the experimental systems that provide input parameters for these models, areas of success, and areas for improvement to reduce model uncertainty. Finally, we provide case studies on the uses of IVIVE in safety assessments, which highlight the respective differences, information requirements, and outcomes across various approaches when applied for decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon M Bell
- Integrated Laboratory Systems, Inc., P.O. Box 13501, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Xiaoqing Chang
- Integrated Laboratory Systems, Inc., P.O. Box 13501, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - John F Wambaugh
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 109 T.W. Alexander Dr., Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - David G Allen
- Integrated Laboratory Systems, Inc., P.O. Box 13501, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | | | - Kim L R Brouwer
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Campus Box 7569, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Warren M Casey
- National Toxicology Program Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Neepa Choksi
- Integrated Laboratory Systems, Inc., P.O. Box 13501, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Stephen S Ferguson
- National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | | | - Annie M Jarabek
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 109 T.W. Alexander Dr., Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Alice Ke
- Simcyp Limited (a Certara company), John Street, Sheffield, S2 4SU, United Kingdom.
| | - Annie Lumen
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 3900 NCTR Road, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA.
| | - Scott G Lynn
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, William Jefferson Clinton Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460, USA.
| | - Alicia Paini
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate Health, Consumers and Reference Materials, Chemical Safety and Alternative Methods Unit incorporating EURL ECVAM, Via E. Fermi 2749, Ispra, Varese 20127, Italy.
| | - Paul S Price
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 109 T.W. Alexander Dr., Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Caroline Ring
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, P.O. Box 2008, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA.
| | - Ted W Simon
- Ted Simon LLC, 4184 Johnston Road, Winston, GA 30187, USA.
| | - Nisha S Sipes
- National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Catherine S Sprankle
- Integrated Laboratory Systems, Inc., P.O. Box 13501, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Judy Strickland
- Integrated Laboratory Systems, Inc., P.O. Box 13501, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - John Troutman
- Central Product Safety, The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA.
| | - Barbara A Wetmore
- ScitoVation LLC, 6 Davis Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Nicole C Kleinstreuer
- National Toxicology Program Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
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Browne P, Noyes PD, Casey WM, Dix DJ. Application of Adverse Outcome Pathways to U.S. EPA's Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2017; 125:096001. [PMID: 28934726 PMCID: PMC5915179 DOI: 10.1289/ehp1304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The U.S. EPA's Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) screens and tests environmental chemicals for potential effects in estrogen, androgen, and thyroid hormone pathways, and it is one of the only regulatory programs designed around chemical mode of action. OBJECTIVES This review describes the EDSP's use of adverse outcome pathway (AOP) and toxicity pathway frameworks to organize and integrate diverse biological data for evaluating the endocrine activity of chemicals. Using these frameworks helps to establish biologically plausible links between endocrine mechanisms and apical responses when those end points are not measured in the same assay. RESULTS Pathway frameworks can facilitate a weight of evidence determination of a chemical's potential endocrine activity, identify data gaps, aid study design, direct assay development, and guide testing strategies. Pathway frameworks also can be used to evaluate the performance of computational approaches as alternatives for low-throughput and animal-based assays and predict downstream key events. In cases where computational methods can be validated based on performance, they may be considered as alternatives to specific assays or end points. CONCLUSIONS A variety of biological systems affect apical end points used in regulatory risk assessments, and without mechanistic data, an endocrine mode of action cannot be determined. Because the EDSP was designed to consider mode of action, toxicity pathway and AOP concepts are a natural fit. Pathway frameworks have diverse applications to endocrine screening and testing. An estrogen pathway example is presented, and similar approaches are being used to evaluate alternative methods and develop predictive models for androgen and thyroid pathways. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1304.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patience Browne
- Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , Washington, DC, USA
| | - Pamela D Noyes
- Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , Washington, DC, USA
| | - Warren M Casey
- National Toxicology Program Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - David J Dix
- Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , Washington, DC, USA
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29
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Brockmeier EK, Hodges G, Hutchinson TH, Butler E, Hecker M, Tollefsen KE, Garcia-Reyero N, Kille P, Becker D, Chipman K, Colbourne J, Collette TW, Cossins A, Cronin M, Graystock P, Gutsell S, Knapen D, Katsiadaki I, Lange A, Marshall S, Owen SF, Perkins EJ, Plaistow S, Schroeder A, Taylor D, Viant M, Ankley G, Falciani F. The Role of Omics in the Application of Adverse Outcome Pathways for Chemical Risk Assessment. Toxicol Sci 2017; 158:252-262. [PMID: 28525648 PMCID: PMC5837273 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfx097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In conjunction with the second International Environmental Omics Symposium (iEOS) conference, held at the University of Liverpool (United Kingdom) in September 2014, a workshop was held to bring together experts in toxicology and regulatory science from academia, government and industry. The purpose of the workshop was to review the specific roles that high-content omics datasets (eg, transcriptomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and proteomics) can hold within the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework for supporting ecological and human health risk assessments. In light of the growing number of examples of the application of omics data in the context of ecological risk assessment, we considered how omics datasets might continue to support the AOP framework. In particular, the role of omics in identifying potential AOP molecular initiating events and providing supportive evidence of key events at different levels of biological organization and across taxonomic groups was discussed. Areas with potential for short and medium-term breakthroughs were also discussed, such as providing mechanistic evidence to support chemical read-across, providing weight of evidence information for mode of action assignment, understanding biological networks, and developing robust extrapolations of species-sensitivity. Key challenges that need to be addressed were considered, including the need for a cohesive approach towards experimental design, the lack of a mutually agreed framework to quantitatively link genes and pathways to key events, and the need for better interpretation of chemically induced changes at the molecular level. This article was developed to provide an overview of ecological risk assessment process and a perspective on how high content molecular-level datasets can support the future of assessment procedures through the AOP framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica K. Brockmeier
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Geoff Hodges
- Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Thomas H. Hutchinson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Emma Butler
- Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Markus Hecker
- Toxicology Centre and School of the Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada
| | | | - Natalia Garcia-Reyero
- US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, Mississippi
- Mississippi State University, Institute for Genomics, Biocomputing and Biotechnology, Starkville, Mississippi
| | - Peter Kille
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, University of Cardiff, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Dörthe Becker
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Kevin Chipman
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - John Colbourne
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Timothy W. Collette
- National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, Georgia 30605-2700
| | - Andrew Cossins
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Mark Cronin
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
| | - Peter Graystock
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, California 92521
| | - Steve Gutsell
- Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Dries Knapen
- Zebrafishlab, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Belgium
| | - Ioanna Katsiadaki
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), The Nothe, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK
| | - Anke Lange
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Stuart Marshall
- Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Stewart F. Owen
- AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4TF, UK
| | - Edward J. Perkins
- US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, Mississippi
| | - Stewart Plaistow
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Anthony Schroeder
- Water Resources Center (Office: Mid-Continent Ecology Division), University of Minnesota, Minnesota 55108
| | - Daisy Taylor
- School of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Mark Viant
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Gerald Ankley
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota 55804
| | - Francesco Falciani
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
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30
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Ankley GT, Feifarek D, Blackwell B, Cavallin JE, Jensen KM, Kahl MD, Poole S, Randolph E, Saari T, Villeneuve DL. Re-evaluating the Significance of Estrone as an Environmental Estrogen. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:4705-4713. [PMID: 28328210 PMCID: PMC6059648 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b00606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Studies worldwide have demonstrated the occurrence of feminized male fish at sites impacted by human and animal wastes. A variety of chemicals could contribute to this phenomenon, but those receiving the greatest attention in terms of research and monitoring have been 17β-estradiol (β-E2) and 17α-ethinylestradiol, due both to their prevalence in the environment and strong estrogenic potency. A third steroid, estrone (E1), also can occur at high concentrations in surface waters but generally has been of lesser concern due to its relatively lower affinity for vertebrate estrogen receptors. In an initial experiment, male fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) adults were exposed for 4-d to environmentally relevant levels of waterborne E1, which resulted in plasma β-E2 concentrations similar to those found in reproductively active females. In a second exposure we used 13C-labeled E1, together with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, to demonstrate that elevated β-E2 measured in the plasma of the male fish was indeed derived from the external environment, most likely via a conversion catalyzed by one or more 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases. The results of our studies suggest that the potential impact of E1 as an environmental estrogen currently is underestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald T. Ankley
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 6201 Congdon Boulevard, Duluth, Minnesota 55804, United States
- Corresponding Author. Phone: (218) 529-5147. Fax: (218) 529-5003.
| | - David Feifarek
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 6201 Congdon Boulevard, Duluth, Minnesota 55804, United States
| | - Brett Blackwell
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 6201 Congdon Boulevard, Duluth, Minnesota 55804, United States
| | - Jenna E. Cavallin
- Badger Technical Services, 6201 Congdon Boulevard, Duluth, Minnesota 55804, United States
| | - Kathleen M. Jensen
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 6201 Congdon Boulevard, Duluth, Minnesota 55804, United States
| | - Michael D. Kahl
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 6201 Congdon Boulevard, Duluth, Minnesota 55804, United States
| | - Shane Poole
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 6201 Congdon Boulevard, Duluth, Minnesota 55804, United States
| | - Eric Randolph
- Oak Ridge Institute of Science Education, 6201 Congdon Boulevard, Duluth, Minnesota 55804, United States
| | - Travis Saari
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 6201 Congdon Boulevard, Duluth, Minnesota 55804, United States
| | - Daniel L. Villeneuve
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 6201 Congdon Boulevard, Duluth, Minnesota 55804, United States
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31
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Coady KK, Biever RC, Denslow ND, Gross M, Guiney PD, Holbech H, Karouna-Renier NK, Katsiadaki I, Krueger H, Levine SL, Maack G, Williams M, Wolf JC, Ankley GT. Current limitations and recommendations to improve testing for the environmental assessment of endocrine active substances. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2017; 13:302-316. [PMID: 27791330 PMCID: PMC6059567 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.1862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, existing regulatory frameworks and test systems for assessing potential endocrine active chemicals are described, and associated challenges are discussed, along with proposed approaches to address these challenges. Regulatory frameworks vary somewhat across geographies, but all basically evaluate whether a chemical possesses endocrine activity and whether this activity can result in adverse outcomes either to humans or to the environment. Current test systems include in silico, in vitro, and in vivo techniques focused on detecting potential endocrine activity, and in vivo tests that collect apical data to detect possible adverse effects. These test systems are currently designed to robustly assess endocrine activity and/or adverse effects in the estrogen, androgen, and thyroid hormone signaling pathways; however, there are some limitations of current test systems for evaluating endocrine hazard and risk. These limitations include a lack of certainty regarding: 1) adequately sensitive species and life stages; 2) mechanistic endpoints that are diagnostic for endocrine pathways of concern; and 3) the linkage between mechanistic responses and apical, adverse outcomes. Furthermore, some existing test methods are resource intensive with regard to time, cost, and use of animals. However, based on recent experiences, there are opportunities to improve approaches to and guidance for existing test methods and to reduce uncertainty. For example, in vitro high-throughput screening could be used to prioritize chemicals for testing and provide insights as to the most appropriate assays for characterizing hazard and risk. Other recommendations include adding endpoints for elucidating connections between mechanistic effects and adverse outcomes, identifying potentially sensitive taxa for which test methods currently do not exist, and addressing key endocrine pathways of possible concern in addition to those associated with estrogen, androgen, and thyroid signaling. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2017;13:302-316. © 2016 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine K Coady
- The Dow Chemical Company, Toxicology and Environmental Research and Consulting, Midland, Michigan, USA
- Address correspondence to
| | | | - Nancy D Denslow
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | | | - Patrick D Guiney
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Henrik Holbech
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark
| | | | - Ioanna Katsiadaki
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Dorset, United Kingdom
| | - Hank Krueger
- Wildlife International, Division of EAG Laboratories, Easton, Maryland, USA
| | - Steven L Levine
- Global Regulatory Sciences, Monsanto Company, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Gerd Maack
- German Environment Agency, Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | | | - Jeffrey C Wolf
- Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Sterling, Virginia, USA
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32
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Matthiessen P, Ankley GT, Biever RC, Bjerregaard P, Borgert C, Brugger K, Blankinship A, Chambers J, Coady KK, Constantine L, Dang Z, Denslow ND, Dreier DA, Dungey S, Gray LE, Gross M, Guiney PD, Hecker M, Holbech H, Iguchi T, Kadlec S, Karouna-Renier NK, Katsiadaki I, Kawashima Y, Kloas W, Krueger H, Kumar A, Lagadic L, Leopold A, Levine SL, Maack G, Marty S, Meado J, Mihaich E, Odum J, Ortego L, Parrott J, Pickford D, Roberts M, Schaefers C, Schwarz T, Solomon K, Verslycke T, Weltje L, Wheeler JR, Williams M, Wolf JC, Yamazaki K. Recommended approaches to the scientific evaluation of ecotoxicological hazards and risks of endocrine-active substances. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2017; 13:267-279. [PMID: 28127947 PMCID: PMC6069525 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.1885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
A SETAC Pellston Workshop® "Environmental Hazard and Risk Assessment Approaches for Endocrine-Active Substances (EHRA)" was held in February 2016 in Pensacola, Florida, USA. The primary objective of the workshop was to provide advice, based on current scientific understanding, to regulators and policy makers; the aim being to make considered, informed decisions on whether to select an ecotoxicological hazard- or a risk-based approach for regulating a given endocrine-disrupting substance (EDS) under review. The workshop additionally considered recent developments in the identification of EDS. Case studies were undertaken on 6 endocrine-active substances (EAS-not necessarily proven EDS, but substances known to interact directly with the endocrine system) that are representative of a range of perturbations of the endocrine system and considered to be data rich in relevant information at multiple biological levels of organization for 1 or more ecologically relevant taxa. The substances selected were 17α-ethinylestradiol, perchlorate, propiconazole, 17β-trenbolone, tributyltin, and vinclozolin. The 6 case studies were not comprehensive safety evaluations but provided foundations for clarifying key issues and procedures that should be considered when assessing the ecotoxicological hazards and risks of EAS and EDS. The workshop also highlighted areas of scientific uncertainty, and made specific recommendations for research and methods-development to resolve some of the identified issues. The present paper provides broad guidance for scientists in regulatory authorities, industry, and academia on issues likely to arise during the ecotoxicological hazard and risk assessment of EAS and EDS. The primary conclusion of this paper, and of the SETAC Pellston Workshop on which it is based, is that if data on environmental exposure, effects on sensitive species and life-stages, delayed effects, and effects at low concentrations are robust, initiating environmental risk assessment of EDS is scientifically sound and sufficiently reliable and protective of the environment. In the absence of such data, assessment on the basis of hazard is scientifically justified until such time as relevant new information is available. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2017;13:267-279. © 2017 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Matthiessen
- independent Consultant, Dolfan Barn, Beulah, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Poul Bjerregaard
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Christopher Borgert
- Applied Pharmacology and Toxicology, Gainesville, Florida, USA; Dept Physiol Sciences, CEHT, Univ of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Kristin Brugger
- DuPont Crop Protection, Stine-Haskell Research Center, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Amy Blankinship
- Office of Pesticide Programs, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Washington DC
| | - Janice Chambers
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi, USA
| | - Katherine K Coady
- The Dow Chemical Company, Toxicology and Environmental Research and Consulting, Midland, Michigan, USA
| | | | | | - Nancy D Denslow
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - David A Dreier
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Steve Dungey
- Environment Agency, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - L Earl Gray
- US Environmental Agency, Reproductive Toxicology Branch, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | | | - Patrick D Guiney
- Molecular & Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Markus Hecker
- Toxicology Centre and School of the Environment & Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Henrik Holbech
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Taisen Iguchi
- National Institute for Basic Biology, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Sarah Kadlec
- University of Minnesota, Integrated Biosciences Graduate Program, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Ioanna Katsiadaki
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Weymouth, Dorset, United Kingdom
| | | | - Werner Kloas
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Anu Kumar
- CSIRO, Glen Osmond, South Australia, Australia
| | - Laurent Lagadic
- Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, Environmental Safety, Ecotoxicology, Monheim am Rhein, Germany
| | | | - Steven L Levine
- Global Regulatory Sciences, Monsanto Company, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Gerd Maack
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Sue Marty
- Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan, USA
| | - James Meado
- Ecotoxicology and Environmental Fish Health Program, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ellen Mihaich
- Environmental and Regulatory Resources, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jenny Odum
- Regulatory Science Associates, Binley Business Park, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa Ortego
- Bayer CropScience, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Joanne Parrott
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Water Science and Technology Directorate, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel Pickford
- Syngenta, Jealotts Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, United Kingdom
| | - Mike Roberts
- Independent Consultant, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, United Kingdom
| | | | - Tamar Schwarz
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Weymouth, Dorset, United Kingdom
| | - Keith Solomon
- Centre for Toxicology, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - Jeffrey C Wolf
- Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Sterling, Virginia, USA
| | - Kunihiko Yamazaki
- Department of Environmental Health, Ministry of the Environment, Tokyo, Japan
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