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Rosenmai AK, Svingen T, Evrard B, Nguyen KH, Nielsen C, Axelstad M, Chalmel F, Ramhøj L. Distinct transcriptional profiles in rat thyroid glands after developmental exposure to three in vitro thyroperoxidase inhibiting chemicals. Genomics 2024; 116:110938. [PMID: 39293535 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2024.110938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/20/2024]
Abstract
Thyroperoxidase (TPO) is central in thyroid hormone (TH) synthesis and inhibition can lead to TH deficiency. Many chemicals can inhibit TPO activity in vitro, but how this may manifest in the developing thyroid gland at the molecular level is unclear. Here, we characterized the thyroid gland transcriptome of male rats developmentally exposed to the in vitro TPO-inhibitors amitrole, 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (MBI), or cyanamide by use of Bulk-RNA-Barcoding (BRB) and sequencing. Amitrole exposure caused TH deficiency and 149 differentially expressed genes in the thyroid gland. The effects indicated an activated and growing thyroid gland. MBI caused intermittent changes to serum TH concentrations in a previous study and this was accompanied by 60 differentially expressed genes in the present study. More than half of these were also affected by amitrole, indicating that they could be early effect biomarkers of developmental TH system disruption due to TPO inhibition. Further work to validate the signature is needed, including assessment of substance independency and applicability domain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Terje Svingen
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Bertrand Evrard
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Khanh Hoang Nguyen
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Camilla Nielsen
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Marta Axelstad
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Frédéric Chalmel
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Louise Ramhøj
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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Corton JC, Mitchell CA, Auerbach S, Bushel P, Ellinger-Ziegelbauer H, Escobar PA, Froetschl R, Harrill AH, Johnson K, Klaunig JE, Pandiri AR, Podtelezhnikov AA, Rager JE, Tanis KQ, van der Laan JW, Vespa A, Yauk CL, Pettit SD, Sistare FD. A Collaborative Initiative to Establish Genomic Biomarkers for Assessing Tumorigenic Potential to Reduce Reliance on Conventional Rodent Carcinogenicity Studies. Toxicol Sci 2022; 188:4-16. [PMID: 35404422 PMCID: PMC9238304 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfac041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing recognition across broad sectors of the scientific community that use of genomic biomarkers has the potential to reduce the need for conventional rodent carcinogenicity studies of industrial chemicals, agrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals through a weight-of-evidence approach. These biomarkers fall into 2 major categories: (1) sets of gene transcripts that can identify distinct tumorigenic mechanisms of action; and (2) cancer driver gene mutations indicative of rapidly expanding growth-advantaged clonal cell populations. This call-to-action article describes a collaborative approach launched to develop and qualify biomarker gene expression panels that measure widely accepted molecular pathways linked to tumorigenesis and their activation levels to predict tumorigenic doses of chemicals from short-term exposures. Growing evidence suggests that application of such biomarker panels in short-term exposure rodent studies can identify both tumorigenic hazard and tumorigenic activation levels for chemical-induced carcinogenicity. In the future, this approach will be expanded to include methodologies examining mutations in key cancer driver gene mutation hotspots as biomarkers of both genotoxic and nongenotoxic chemical tumor risk. Analytical, technical, and biological validation studies of these complementary genomic tools are being undertaken by multisector and multidisciplinary collaborative teams within the Health and Environmental Sciences Institute. Success from these efforts will facilitate the transition from current heavy reliance on conventional 2-year rodent carcinogenicity studies to more rapid animal- and resource-sparing approaches for mechanism-based carcinogenicity evaluation supporting internal and regulatory decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Christopher Corton
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Constance A Mitchell
- Health and Environmental Sciences Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Scott Auerbach
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Pierre Bushel
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Patricia A Escobar
- Safety Assessment and Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp, West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Roland Froetschl
- BfArM-Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte, Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alison H Harrill
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - James E Klaunig
- Laboratory of Investigative Toxicology and Pathology, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Indiana School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Arun R Pandiri
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Julia E Rager
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Keith Q Tanis
- Safety Assessment and Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp, West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jan Willem van der Laan
- Section on Pharmacology, Toxicology and Kinetics, Medicines Evaluation Board, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alisa Vespa
- Therapeutic Products Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carole L Yauk
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Syril D Pettit
- Health and Environmental Sciences Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Frank D Sistare
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Cediel-Ulloa A, Lupu DL, Johansson Y, Hinojosa M, Özel F, Rüegg J. Impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals on neurodevelopment: the need for better testing strategies for endocrine disruption-induced developmental neurotoxicity. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2022; 17:131-141. [PMID: 35255767 DOI: 10.1080/17446651.2022.2044788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Brain development is highly dependent on hormonal regulation. Exposure to chemicals disrupting endocrine signaling has been associated with neurodevelopmental impairment. This raises concern about exposure to the suspected thousands of endocrine disruptors, and has resulted in efforts to improve regulation of these chemicals. Yet, the causal links between endocrine disruption and developmental neurotoxicity, which would be required for regulatory action, are still largely missing. AREAS COVERED In this review, we illustrate the importance of two endocrine systems, thyroid hormone and retinoic acid pathways, for neurodevelopment. We place special emphasis on TH and RA synthesis, metabolism, and how endocrine disrupting chemicals known or suspected to affect these systems are associated with developmental neurotoxicity. EXPERT OPINION While it is clear that neurodevelopment is dependent on proper hormonal functioning, and evidence is increasing for developmental neurotoxicity induced by endocrine disrupting chemicals, this is not grasped by current chemical testing. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop test methods detecting endocrine disruption in the context of neurodevelopment. Key to this development is further mechanistic insights on the involvement of endocrine signaling in neurodevelopment as well as increased support to develop and validate new test methods for the regulatory context.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ylva Johansson
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Sweden
| | - Maria Hinojosa
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Sweden
| | - Fatih Özel
- Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Sweden
- Centre for Women's Mental Health during the Reproductive Lifespan - Womher, Uppsala University, Sweden
- Department of Health Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
| | - Joëlle Rüegg
- Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Sweden
- Department of Health Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
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Bertani V, Blanck O, Guignard D, Schorsch F, Pischon H. Artificial Intelligence in Toxicological Pathology: Quantitative Evaluation of Compound-Induced Follicular Cell Hypertrophy in Rat Thyroid Gland Using Deep Learning Models. Toxicol Pathol 2021; 50:23-34. [PMID: 34670459 DOI: 10.1177/01926233211052010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Digital pathology has recently been more broadly deployed, fueling artificial intelligence (AI) application development and more systematic use of image analysis. Here, two different AI models were developed to evaluate follicular cell hypertrophy in hematoxylin and eosin-stained whole-slide-images of rat thyroid gland, using commercial AI-based-software. In the first, mean cytoplasmic area measuring approach (MCA approach), mean cytoplasmic area was calculated via several sequential deep learning (DL)-based algorithms including segmentation in microanatomical structures (separation of colloid and stroma from thyroid follicular epithelium), nuclear detection, and area measurements. With our additional second, hypertrophy area fraction predicting approach (HAF approach), we present for the first time DL-based direct detection of the histopathological change follicular cell hypertrophy in the thyroid gland with similar results. For multiple studies, increased output parameters (mean cytoplasmic area and hypertrophic area fraction) were shown in groups given different hypertrophy-inducing reference compounds in comparison to control groups. Quantitative results correlated with the gold standard of board-certified veterinary pathologists' diagnoses and gradings as well as thyroid hormone dependent gene expressions. Accuracy and repeatability of diagnoses and grading by pathologists are expected to be improved by additional evaluation of mean cytoplasmic area or direct detection of hypertrophy, combined with standard histopathological observations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olivier Blanck
- Bayer CropScience SAS, Sophia Antipolis, Valbonne, France
| | - Davy Guignard
- Bayer CropScience SAS, Sophia Antipolis, Valbonne, France
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Lu L, Wu H, Cui S, Zhan T, Zhang C, Lu S, Liu W, Zhuang S. Pentabromoethylbenzene Exposure Induces Transcriptome Aberration and Thyroid Dysfunction: In Vitro, in Silico, and in Vivo Investigations. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:12335-12344. [PMID: 32835475 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c03308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB), as one of the novel brominated flame retardants (NFBRs), has caused increasing public concern for health risks. Till now, information regarding potential effects of PBEB on thyroid function remains unclear. Herein, we investigated thyroid disruption of PBEB in vitro and in silico and evaluated thyroid dysfunction induced by PBEB using Sprague-Dawley rats. PBEB showed thyroid receptor (TR) β antagonistic activity with IC50 of 9.82 × 10-7 M in the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and induced relative reorientation of helix 11 (H11) and H12 of the TR ligand binding domain as revealed by molecular dynamics simulations. PBEB (0.2, 2, 20 mg/kg BW/d) markedly altered the transcriptome profile of thyroid with induction of 17, 42, and 119 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in thyroid hormone signaling and synthesis pathway, of which transthyretin and albumin are common DEGs. The 28-d exposure to PBEB significantly decreased the triiodothyronine level (from 7.23 to 5.67 ng/mL) and increased the thyrotropin level (from 7.88 to 12.86 mU/L) for female rats. PBEB consequently reduced thyroid weight and altered its morphology with more depleted follicles. Overall, our study provides the first account of evidence on PBEB exerted thyroid disruption, transcriptome aberration, and morphological alteration, facilitating health risk assessment of PBEB and structurally related NBFRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Lu
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Hao Wu
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shixuan Cui
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Tingjie Zhan
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Chunlong Zhang
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Houston-Clear Lake, 2700 Bay Area Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77058, United States
| | - Shaoyong Lu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Weiping Liu
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shulin Zhuang
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Noyes PD, Friedman KP, Browne P, Haselman JT, Gilbert ME, Hornung MW, Barone S, Crofton KM, Laws SC, Stoker TE, Simmons SO, Tietge JE, Degitz SJ. Evaluating Chemicals for Thyroid Disruption: Opportunities and Challenges with in Vitro Testing and Adverse Outcome Pathway Approaches. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2019; 127:95001. [PMID: 31487205 PMCID: PMC6791490 DOI: 10.1289/ehp5297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extensive clinical and experimental research documents the potential for chemical disruption of thyroid hormone (TH) signaling through multiple molecular targets. Perturbation of TH signaling can lead to abnormal brain development, cognitive impairments, and other adverse outcomes in humans and wildlife. To increase chemical safety screening efficiency and reduce vertebrate animal testing, in vitro assays that identify chemical interactions with molecular targets of the thyroid system have been developed and implemented. OBJECTIVES We present an adverse outcome pathway (AOP) network to link data derived from in vitro assays that measure chemical interactions with thyroid molecular targets to downstream events and adverse outcomes traditionally derived from in vivo testing. We examine the role of new in vitro technologies, in the context of the AOP network, in facilitating consideration of several important regulatory and biological challenges in characterizing chemicals that exert effects through a thyroid mechanism. DISCUSSION There is a substantial body of knowledge describing chemical effects on molecular and physiological regulation of TH signaling and associated adverse outcomes. Until recently, few alternative nonanimal assays were available to interrogate chemical effects on TH signaling. With the development of these new tools, screening large libraries of chemicals for interactions with molecular targets of the thyroid is now possible. Measuring early chemical interactions with targets in the thyroid pathway provides a means of linking adverse outcomes, which may be influenced by many biological processes, to a thyroid mechanism. However, the use of in vitro assays beyond chemical screening is complicated by continuing limits in our knowledge of TH signaling in important life stages and tissues, such as during fetal brain development. Nonetheless, the thyroid AOP network provides an ideal tool for defining causal linkages of a chemical exerting thyroid-dependent effects and identifying research needs to quantify these effects in support of regulatory decision making. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5297.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela D Noyes
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development (ORD), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Washington, DC, USA
| | - Katie Paul Friedman
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Patience Browne
- Environment Health and Safety Division, Environment Directorate, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Paris, France
| | - Jonathan T Haselman
- Mid-Continent Ecology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), ORD, U.S. EPA, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mary E Gilbert
- Toxicity Assessment Division, NHEERL, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michael W Hornung
- Mid-Continent Ecology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), ORD, U.S. EPA, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Stan Barone
- Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, U.S. EPA, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kevin M Crofton
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Susan C Laws
- Toxicity Assessment Division, NHEERL, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Tammy E Stoker
- Toxicity Assessment Division, NHEERL, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Steven O Simmons
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Joseph E Tietge
- Mid-Continent Ecology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), ORD, U.S. EPA, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Sigmund J Degitz
- Mid-Continent Ecology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), ORD, U.S. EPA, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
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