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Cherianidou A, Kappenberg F, Seidel F, Acharya A, Papazoglou P, Srinivasan SP, Hescheler J, Peng L, Leist M, Hengstler JG, Rahnenführer J, Sachinidis A. Transcriptome-based prediction of drugs, inhibiting cardiomyogenesis in human induced pluripotent stem cells. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:321. [PMID: 37644023 PMCID: PMC10465524 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01616-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal studies for embryotoxicity evaluation of potential therapeutics and environmental factors are complex, costly, and time-consuming. Often, studies are not of human relevance because of species differences. In the present study, we recapitulated the process of cardiomyogenesis in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) by modulation of the Wnt signaling pathway to identify a key cardiomyogenesis gene signature that can be applied to identify compounds and/or stress factors compromising the cardiomyogenesis process. Among the 23 tested teratogens and 16 non-teratogens, we identified three retinoids including 13-cis-retinoic acid that completely block the process of cardiomyogenesis in hiPSCs. Moreover, we have identified an early gene signature consisting of 31 genes and associated biological processes that are severely affected by the retinoids. To predict the inhibitory potential of teratogens and non-teratogens in the process of cardiomyogenesis we established the "Developmental Cardiotoxicity Index" (CDI31g) that accurately differentiates teratogens and non-teratogens to do or do not affect the differentiation of hiPSCs to functional cardiomyocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Cherianidou
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Center for Physiology, Working Group Sachinidis, 50931 Cologne, Germany Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Franziska Kappenberg
- Department of Statistics, TU Dortmund University, Vogelpothsweg 87, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Florian Seidel
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical University of Dortmund (IfADo), Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Aviseka Acharya
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Center for Physiology, Working Group Sachinidis, 50931 Cologne, Germany Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Panagiota Papazoglou
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Center for Physiology, Working Group Sachinidis, 50931 Cologne, Germany Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sureshkumar Perumal Srinivasan
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Center for Physiology, Working Group Sachinidis, 50931 Cologne, Germany Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jürgen Hescheler
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Center for Physiology, Working Group Sachinidis, 50931 Cologne, Germany Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Luying Peng
- Heart Health Center, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai and Research Units of Origin and Regulation of Heart Rhythm, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 100730, Beijing, China
| | - Marcel Leist
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstr. 10, PO, Box M657, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Jan G Hengstler
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical University of Dortmund (IfADo), Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Jörg Rahnenführer
- Department of Statistics, TU Dortmund University, Vogelpothsweg 87, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Agapios Sachinidis
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Center for Physiology, Working Group Sachinidis, 50931 Cologne, Germany Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
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Jamalpoor A, Hartvelt S, Dimopoulou M, Zwetsloot T, Brandsma I, Racz PI, Osterlund T, Hendriks G. A novel human stem cell-based biomarker assay for in vitro assessment of developmental toxicity. Birth Defects Res 2022; 114:1210-1228. [PMID: 35289129 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Testing for developmental toxicity according to the current regulatory guidelines requires large numbers of animals, making these tests very resource intensive, time-consuming, and ethically debatable. Over the past decades, several alternative in vitro assays have been developed, but these often suffered from low predictability and the inability to provide a mechanistic understanding of developmental toxicity. METHODS To identify embryotoxic compounds, we developed a human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)-based biomarker assay. The assay is based on the differentiation of hiPSCs into functional cardiomyocytes and hepatocytes. Proper stem cell differentiation is investigated by morphological profiling and assessment of time-dependent expression patterns of cell-specific biomarkers. In this system, a decrease in the expression of the biomarker genes and morphology disruption of the differentiated cells following compound treatment indicated teratogenicity. RESULTS The hiPSCs-based biomarker assay was validated with 21 well-established in vivo animal teratogenic and non-teratogenic compounds during cardiomyocyte and hepatocyte differentiation. The in vivo teratogenic compounds (e.g., thalidomide and valproic acid) markedly disrupted morphology, functionality, and the expression pattern of the biomarker genes in either one or both cell types. Non-teratogenic chemicals generally had no effect on the morphology of differentiated cells, nor on the expression of the biomarker genes. Compared to the in vivo classification, the assay achieved high accuracy (91%), sensitivity (91%), and specificity (90%). CONCLUSION The assay, which we named ReproTracker®, is a state-of-the-art in vitro method that can identify the teratogenicity potential of new pharmaceuticals and chemicals and signify the outcome of in vivo test systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amer Jamalpoor
- Toxys B.V., Leiden Bio Science Park, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
| | - Sabine Hartvelt
- Toxys B.V., Leiden Bio Science Park, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
| | - Myrto Dimopoulou
- Toxys B.V., Leiden Bio Science Park, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
| | - Tom Zwetsloot
- Toxys B.V., Leiden Bio Science Park, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
| | - Inger Brandsma
- Toxys B.V., Leiden Bio Science Park, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
| | - Peter I Racz
- Toxys B.V., Leiden Bio Science Park, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
| | - Torben Osterlund
- Toxys B.V., Leiden Bio Science Park, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
| | - Giel Hendriks
- Toxys B.V., Leiden Bio Science Park, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
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Konala VBR, Nandakumar S, Surendran H, Datar S, Bhonde R, Pal R. Neuronal and cardiac toxicity of pharmacological compounds identified through transcriptomic analysis of human pluripotent stem cell-derived embryoid bodies. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2021; 433:115792. [PMID: 34742744 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2021.115792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Concurrent with the '3R' principle, the embryonic stem cell test (EST) using mouse embryonic stem cells, developed in 2000, remains the solely accepted in vitro method for embryotoxicity testing. However, the scope and implementation of EST for embryotoxicity screening, compliant with regulatory requirements, are limited. This is due to its technical complexity, long testing period, labor-intensive methodology, and limited endpoint data, leading to misclassification of embryotoxic potential. In this study, we used human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived embryoid bodies (EB) as an in vitro model to investigate the embryotoxic effects of a carefully selected set of pharmacological compounds. Morphology, viability, and differentiation potential were investigated after exposing EBs to folic acid, all-trans-retinoic acid, dexamethasone, and valproic acid for 15 days. The results showed that the compounds differentially repressed cell growth, compromised morphology, and triggered apoptosis in the EBs. Further, transcriptomics was employed to compare subtle temporal changes between treated and untreated cultures. Gene ontology and pathway analysis revealed that dysregulation of a large number of genes strongly correlated with impaired neuroectoderm and cardiac mesoderm formation. This aberrant gene expression pattern was associated with several disorders of the brain like mental retardation, multiple sclerosis, stroke and of the heart like dilated cardiomyopathy, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular arrhythmia. Lastly, these in vitro findings were validated using in ovo chick embryo model. Taken together, pharmacological compound or drug-induced defective EB development from hiPSCs could potentially be used as a suitable in vitro platform for embryotoxicity screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Bhaskar Reddy Konala
- The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bengaluru 560064, Karnataka, India; Eyestem Research, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), Bengaluru 560065, Karnataka, India
| | - Swapna Nandakumar
- Eyestem Research, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), Bengaluru 560065, Karnataka, India
| | - Harshini Surendran
- The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bengaluru 560064, Karnataka, India; Eyestem Research, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), Bengaluru 560065, Karnataka, India
| | - Savita Datar
- Department of Zoology, S. P. College, Pune 411030, Maharashtra, India
| | - Ramesh Bhonde
- Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune 411018, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rajarshi Pal
- The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bengaluru 560064, Karnataka, India; Eyestem Research, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), Bengaluru 560065, Karnataka, India.
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Jaklin M, Zhang JD, Barrow P, Ebeling M, Clemann N, Leist M, Kustermann S. Focus on germ-layer markers: A human stem cell-based model for in vitro teratogenicity testing. Reprod Toxicol 2020; 98:286-298. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Lauschke K, Rosenmai AK, Meiser I, Neubauer JC, Schmidt K, Rasmussen MA, Holst B, Taxvig C, Emnéus JK, Vinggaard AM. A novel human pluripotent stem cell-based assay to predict developmental toxicity. Arch Toxicol 2020; 94:3831-3846. [PMID: 32700165 PMCID: PMC7603451 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-020-02856-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
There is a great need for novel in vitro methods to predict human developmental toxicity to comply with the 3R principles and to improve human safety. Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) are ideal for the development of such methods, because they are easy to retrieve by conversion of adult somatic cells and can differentiate into most cell types of the body. Advanced three-dimensional (3D) cultures of these cells, so-called embryoid bodies (EBs), moreover mimic the early developing embryo. We took advantage of this to develop a novel human toxicity assay to predict chemically induced developmental toxicity, which we termed the PluriBeat assay. We employed three different hiPSC lines from male and female donors and a robust microtiter plate-based method to produce EBs. We differentiated the cells into cardiomyocytes and introduced a scoring system for a quantitative readout of the assay-cardiomyocyte contractions in the EBs observed on day 7. Finally, we tested the three compounds thalidomide (2.3-36 µM), valproic acid (25-300 µM), and epoxiconazole (1.3-20 µM) on beating and size of the EBs. We were able to detect the human-specific teratogenicity of thalidomide and found the rodent toxicant epoxiconazole as more potent than thalidomide in our assay. We conclude that the PluriBeat assay is a novel method for predicting chemicals' adverse effects on embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Lauschke
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Department for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anna Kjerstine Rosenmai
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ina Meiser
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Weg 1, 66280, Sulzbach, Germany
| | - Julia Christiane Neubauer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Weg 1, 66280, Sulzbach, Germany
- Fraunhofer Project Center for Stem Cell Process Engineering, Neunerplatz 2, 97082, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Schmidt
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Weg 1, 66280, Sulzbach, Germany
| | | | - Bjørn Holst
- Bioneer A/S, Kogle Allé 2, 2970, Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Camilla Taxvig
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jenny Katarina Emnéus
- Department for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anne Marie Vinggaard
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
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Developing novel computational prediction models for assessing chemical-induced neurotoxicity using naïve Bayes classifier technique. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 143:111513. [PMID: 32621845 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Development of reliable and efficient alternative in vivo methods for evaluation of the chemicals with potential neurotoxicity is an urgent need in the early stages of drug design. In this investigation, the computational prediction models for drug-induced neurotoxicity were developed by using the classical naïve Bayes classifier. Eight molecular properties closely relevant to neurotoxicity were selected. Then, 110 classification models were developed with using the eight important molecular descriptors and 10 types of fingerprints with 11 different maximum diameters. Among these 110 prediction models, the prediction model (NB-03) based on eight molecular descriptors combined with ECFP_10 fingerprints showed the best prediction performance, which gave 90.5% overall prediction accuracy for the training set and 82.1% concordance for the external test set. In addition, compared to naïve Bayes classifier, the recursive partitioning classifier displayed worse predictive performance for neurotoxicity. Therefore, the established NB-03 prediction model can be used as a reliable virtual screening tool to predict neurotoxicity in the early stages of drug design. Moreover, some structure alerts for characterizing neurotoxicity were identified in this research, which could give an important guidance for the chemists in structural modification and optimization to reduce the chemicals with potential neurotoxicity.
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Sachinidis A, Albrecht W, Nell P, Cherianidou A, Hewitt NJ, Edlund K, Hengstler JG. Road Map for Development of Stem Cell-Based Alternative Test Methods. Trends Mol Med 2019; 25:470-481. [PMID: 31130451 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Much progress has been made in establishing strategies for differentiation of induced human pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). However, differentiated hiPSCs are not yet routinely used for prediction of toxicity. Here, limiting factors are summarised and possibilities for improvement are discussed, with a focus on hepatocytes, cardiomyocytes, tubular epithelial cells, and developmental toxicity. Moreover, we make recommendations for further fine-tuning of differentiation protocols for hiPSCs to hepatocyte-like cells by comparing individual steps of currently available protocols to the mechanisms occurring during embryonic development. A road map is proposed to facilitate test system development, including a description of the most useful performance metrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agapios Sachinidis
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Centre for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Cologne, Germany.
| | - Wiebke Albrecht
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University of Dortmund (IfADo), 44139 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Patrick Nell
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University of Dortmund (IfADo), 44139 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Anna Cherianidou
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Centre for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Karolina Edlund
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University of Dortmund (IfADo), 44139 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Jan G Hengstler
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University of Dortmund (IfADo), 44139 Dortmund, Germany.
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de Leeuw VC, Hessel EVS, Piersma AH. Look-alikes may not act alike: Gene expression regulation and cell-type-specific responses of three valproic acid analogues in the neural embryonic stem cell test (ESTn). Toxicol Lett 2018; 303:28-37. [PMID: 30578912 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In vitro assays to assess developmental neurotoxicity of chemicals are highly desirable. The murine neural embryonic stem cell test (ESTn) can mimic parts of early differentiation of embryonic brain and may therefore be useful for this purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this test is able to rank the toxic potencies of three valproic acid analogues and to study their mode of action by investigating their individual effects on four cell types: stem cells, neurons, astrocytes and neural crest cells. Using immunocytochemical read-outs and qPCR for cell type-specific genes, the effects of valproic acid (VPA), 2-ethylhexanoic acid (EHA) and 2-ethyl-4-methylpentanoic (EMPA) were assessed. VPA and EHA but not EMPA downregulated cell type-specific differentiation makers and upregulated stem cell related markers (Fut4, Cdh1) at different time points during differentiation. Expression of Gfap, a marker for astrocytes, was dramatically downregulated by VPA and EHA, but not by EMPA. This finding was verified using immunostainings. Based on the number and extent of genes regulated by the three compounds, relative potencies were determined as VPA > EHA > EMPA, which is consistent with in vivo developmental toxicity potency ranking of these compounds. Thus, ESTn using a combination of morphology, gene and protein expression readouts, may provide a medium-throughput system for monitoring the effects of compounds on differentiation of cell types in early brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria C de Leeuw
- Center for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Ellen V S Hessel
- Center for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Aldert H Piersma
- Center for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Shinde V, Perumal Srinivasan S, Henry M, Rotshteyn T, Hescheler J, Rahnenführer J, Grinberg M, Meisig J, Blüthgen N, Waldmann T, Leist M, Hengstler JG, Sachinidis A. Comparison of a teratogenic transcriptome-based predictive test based on human embryonic versus inducible pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2016; 7:190. [PMID: 28038682 PMCID: PMC5203708 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-016-0449-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2016] [Revised: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) partially recapitulate early embryonic three germ layer development, allowing testing of potential teratogenic hazards. Because use of hESCs is ethically debated, we investigated the potential for human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to replace hESCs in such tests. METHODS Three cell lines, comprising hiPSCs (foreskin and IMR90) and hESCs (H9) were differentiated for 14 days. Their transcriptome profiles were obtained on day 0 and day 14 and analyzed by comprehensive bioinformatics tools. RESULTS The transcriptomes on day 14 showed that more than 70% of the "developmental genes" (regulated genes with > 2-fold change on day 14 compared to day 0) exhibited variability among cell lines. The developmental genes belonging to all three cell lines captured biological processes and KEGG pathways related to all three germ layer embryonic development. In addition, transcriptome profiles were obtained after 14 days of exposure to teratogenic valproic acid (VPA) during differentiation. Although the differentially regulated genes between treated and untreated samples showed more than 90% variability among cell lines, VPA clearly antagonized the expression of developmental genes in all cell lines: suppressing upregulated developmental genes, while inducing downregulated ones. To quantify VPA-disturbed development based on developmental genes, we estimated the "developmental potency" (D p ) and "developmental index" (D i ). CONCLUSIONS Despite differences in genes deregulated by VPA, uniform D i values were obtained for all three cell lines. Given that the D i values for VPA were similar for hESCs and hiPSCs, D i can be used for robust hazard identification, irrespective of whether hESCs or hiPSCs are used in the test systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaibhav Shinde
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sureshkumar Perumal Srinivasan
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Margit Henry
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tamara Rotshteyn
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jürgen Hescheler
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jörg Rahnenführer
- Department of Statistics, Technical University of Dortmund University, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Marianna Grinberg
- Department of Statistics, Technical University of Dortmund University, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Johannes Meisig
- Integrative Research Institute for the Life Sciences, Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt University, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nils Blüthgen
- Integrative Research Institute for the Life Sciences, Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt University, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tanja Waldmann
- Doerenkamp-Zbinden Chair for In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, University of Konstanz, Box: M657, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Marcel Leist
- Doerenkamp-Zbinden Chair for In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, University of Konstanz, Box: M657, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Jan Georg Hengstler
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical University of Dortmund (IfADo), 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Agapios Sachinidis
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
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Shinde V, Hoelting L, Srinivasan SP, Meisig J, Meganathan K, Jagtap S, Grinberg M, Liebing J, Bluethgen N, Rahnenführer J, Rempel E, Stoeber R, Schildknecht S, Förster S, Godoy P, van Thriel C, Gaspar JA, Hescheler J, Waldmann T, Hengstler JG, Leist M, Sachinidis A. Definition of transcriptome-based indices for quantitative characterization of chemically disturbed stem cell development: introduction of the STOP-Tox ukn and STOP-Tox ukk tests. Arch Toxicol 2016; 91:839-864. [PMID: 27188386 PMCID: PMC5306084 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-016-1741-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Stem cell-based in vitro test systems can recapitulate specific phases of human development. In the UKK test system, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) randomly differentiate into cells of the three germ layers and their derivatives. In the UKN1 test system, hPSCs differentiate into early neural precursor cells. During the normal differentiation period (14 days) of the UKK system, 570 genes [849 probe sets (PSs)] were regulated >fivefold; in the UKN1 system (6 days), 879 genes (1238 PSs) were regulated. We refer to these genes as 'developmental genes'. In the present study, we used genome-wide expression data of 12 test substances in the UKK and UKN1 test systems to understand the basic principles of how chemicals interfere with the spontaneous transcriptional development in both test systems. The set of test compounds included six histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis), six mercury-containing compounds ('mercurials') and thalidomide. All compounds were tested at the maximum non-cytotoxic concentration, while valproic acid and thalidomide were additionally tested over a wide range of concentrations. In total, 242 genes (252 PSs) in the UKK test system and 793 genes (1092 PSs) in the UKN1 test system were deregulated by the 12 test compounds. We identified sets of 'diagnostic genes' appropriate for the identification of the influence of HDACis or mercurials. Test compounds that interfered with the expression of developmental genes usually antagonized their spontaneous development, meaning that up-regulated developmental genes were suppressed and developmental genes whose expression normally decreases were induced. The fraction of compromised developmental genes varied widely between the test compounds, and it reached up to 60 %. To quantitatively describe disturbed development on a genome-wide basis, we recommend a concept of two indices, 'developmental potency' (D p) and 'developmental index' (D i), whereby D p is the fraction of all developmental genes that are up- or down-regulated by a test compound, and D i is the ratio of overrepresentation of developmental genes among all genes deregulated by a test compound. The use of D i makes hazard identification more sensitive because some compounds compromise the expression of only a relatively small number of genes but have a high propensity to deregulate developmental genes specifically, resulting in a low D p but a high D i. In conclusion, the concept based on the indices D p and D i offers the possibility to quantitatively express the propensity of test compounds to interfere with normal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaibhav Shinde
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Centre for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lisa Hoelting
- Doerenkamp-Zbinden Chair for In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, University of Konstanz, Box: M657, 78457, Constance, Germany.,Konstanz Graduate School Chemical Biology KORS-CB, University of Konstanz, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Sureshkumar Perumal Srinivasan
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Centre for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Johannes Meisig
- Institute of Pathology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, 10117, Berlin, Germany.,Integrative Research Institute for the Life Sciences, Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt Universität, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kesavan Meganathan
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Centre for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Smita Jagtap
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Centre for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Julia Liebing
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical, University of Dortmund (IfADo), Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Nils Bluethgen
- Institute of Pathology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, 10117, Berlin, Germany.,Integrative Research Institute for the Life Sciences, Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt Universität, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Eugen Rempel
- Department of Statistics, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany.,Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Regina Stoeber
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical, University of Dortmund (IfADo), Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Stefan Schildknecht
- Doerenkamp-Zbinden Chair for In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, University of Konstanz, Box: M657, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Sunniva Förster
- Doerenkamp-Zbinden Chair for In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, University of Konstanz, Box: M657, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Patricio Godoy
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical, University of Dortmund (IfADo), Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Christoph van Thriel
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical, University of Dortmund (IfADo), Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - John Antonydas Gaspar
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Centre for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jürgen Hescheler
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Centre for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tanja Waldmann
- Doerenkamp-Zbinden Chair for In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, University of Konstanz, Box: M657, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Jan G Hengstler
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical, University of Dortmund (IfADo), Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany.
| | - Marcel Leist
- Doerenkamp-Zbinden Chair for In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, University of Konstanz, Box: M657, 78457, Constance, Germany.
| | - Agapios Sachinidis
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Centre for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
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12
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Colaianna M, Ilmjärv S, Peterson H, Kern I, Julien S, Baquié M, Pallocca G, Bosgra S, Sachinidis A, Hengstler JG, Leist M, Krause KH. Fingerprinting of neurotoxic compounds using a mouse embryonic stem cell dual luminescence reporter assay. Arch Toxicol 2016; 91:365-391. [PMID: 27015953 PMCID: PMC5225183 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-016-1690-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Identification of neurotoxic drugs and environmental chemicals is an important challenge. However, only few tools to address this topic are available. The aim of this study was to develop a neurotoxicity/developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) test system, using the pluripotent mouse embryonic stem cell line CGR8 (ESCs). The test system uses ESCs at two differentiation stages: undifferentiated ESCs and ESC-derived neurons. Under each condition, concentration–response curves were obtained for three parameters: activity of the tubulin alpha 1 promoter (typically activated in early neurons), activity of the elongation factor 1 alpha promoter (active in all cells), and total DNA content (proportional to the number of surviving cells). We tested 37 compounds from the ESNATS test battery, which includes polypeptide hormones, environmental pollutants (including methylmercury), and clinically used drugs (including valproic acid and tyrosine kinase inhibitors). Different classes of compounds showed distinct concentration–response profiles. Plotting of the lowest observed adverse effect concentrations (LOAEL) of the neuronal promoter activity against the general promoter activity or against cytotoxicity, allowed the differentiation between neurotoxic/DNT substances and non-neurotoxic controls. Reporter activity responses in neurons were more susceptible to neurotoxic compounds than the reporter activities in ESCs from which they were derived. To relate the effective/toxic concentrations found in our study to relevant in vivo concentrations, we used a reverse pharmacokinetic modeling approach for three exemplary compounds (teriflunomide, geldanamycin, abiraterone). The dual luminescence reporter assay described in this study allows high-throughput, and should be particularly useful for the prioritization of the neurotoxic potential of a large number of compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilena Colaianna
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sten Ilmjärv
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Ilse Kern
- Department of Pediatrics, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Genetic and Laboratory Medicine, Geneva University Hospital, Centre Medical Universitaire, Rue Michel-Servet, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie Julien
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Giorgia Pallocca
- Doerenkamp-Zbinden Chair for In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
| | - Sieto Bosgra
- TNO, Zeist, The Netherlands.,BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Agapios Sachinidis
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jan G Hengstler
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Marcel Leist
- Doerenkamp-Zbinden Chair for In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
| | - Karl-Heinz Krause
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. .,Department of Genetic and Laboratory Medicine, Geneva University Hospital, Centre Medical Universitaire, Rue Michel-Servet, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland.
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13
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Reif R. Expression classifiers for developmental toxicants. EXCLI JOURNAL 2015; 14:1291-3. [PMID: 26862329 PMCID: PMC4743475 DOI: 10.17179/excli2015-765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Reif
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at TU Dortmund (IfADo), Ardeystrasse 67, 44139 Dortmund, Germany
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14
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Shinde V, Klima S, Sureshkumar PS, Meganathan K, Jagtap S, Rempel E, Rahnenführer J, Hengstler JG, Waldmann T, Hescheler J, Leist M, Sachinidis A. Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Developmental Toxicity Assays for Chemical Safety Screening and Systems Biology Data Generation. J Vis Exp 2015:e52333. [PMID: 26132533 DOI: 10.3791/52333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Efficient protocols to differentiate human pluripotent stem cells to various tissues in combination with -omics technologies opened up new horizons for in vitro toxicity testing of potential drugs. To provide a solid scientific basis for such assays, it will be important to gain quantitative information on the time course of development and on the underlying regulatory mechanisms by systems biology approaches. Two assays have therefore been tuned here for these requirements. In the UKK test system, human embryonic stem cells (hESC) (or other pluripotent cells) are left to spontaneously differentiate for 14 days in embryoid bodies, to allow generation of cells of all three germ layers. This system recapitulates key steps of early human embryonic development, and it can predict human-specific early embryonic toxicity/teratogenicity, if cells are exposed to chemicals during differentiation. The UKN1 test system is based on hESC differentiating to a population of neuroectodermal progenitor (NEP) cells for 6 days. This system recapitulates early neural development and predicts early developmental neurotoxicity and epigenetic changes triggered by chemicals. Both systems, in combination with transcriptome microarray studies, are suitable for identifying toxicity biomarkers. Moreover, they may be used in combination to generate input data for systems biology analysis. These test systems have advantages over the traditional toxicological studies requiring large amounts of animals. The test systems may contribute to a reduction of the costs for drug development and chemical safety evaluation. Their combination sheds light especially on compounds that may influence neurodevelopment specifically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaibhav Shinde
- Center of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Neurophysiology, University of Cologne
| | | | | | - Kesavan Meganathan
- Center of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Neurophysiology, University of Cologne
| | - Smita Jagtap
- Center of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Neurophysiology, University of Cologne
| | - Eugen Rempel
- Department of Statistics, Technical University of Dortmund
| | | | - Jan Georg Hengstler
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University of Dortmund
| | | | - Jürgen Hescheler
- Center of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Neurophysiology, University of Cologne
| | | | - Agapios Sachinidis
- Center of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Neurophysiology, University of Cologne;
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15
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Current research on experimental and applied animal sciences. Arch Toxicol 2015; 89:1149-50. [PMID: 26003615 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-015-1534-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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16
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Bal-Price A, Crofton KM, Leist M, Allen S, Arand M, Buetler T, Delrue N, FitzGerald RE, Hartung T, Heinonen T, Hogberg H, Bennekou SH, Lichtensteiger W, Oggier D, Paparella M, Axelstad M, Piersma A, Rached E, Schilter B, Schmuck G, Stoppini L, Tongiorgi E, Tiramani M, Monnet-Tschudi F, Wilks MF, Ylikomi T, Fritsche E. International STakeholder NETwork (ISTNET): creating a developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) testing road map for regulatory purposes. Arch Toxicol 2015; 89:269-87. [PMID: 25618548 PMCID: PMC4309915 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-015-1464-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
A major problem in developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) risk assessment is the lack of toxicological hazard information for most compounds. Therefore, new approaches are being considered to provide adequate experimental data that allow regulatory decisions. This process requires a matching of regulatory needs on the one hand and the opportunities provided by new test systems and methods on the other hand. Alignment of academically and industrially driven assay development with regulatory needs in the field of DNT is a core mission of the International STakeholder NETwork (ISTNET) in DNT testing. The first meeting of ISTNET was held in Zurich on 23-24 January 2014 in order to explore the concept of adverse outcome pathway (AOP) to practical DNT testing. AOPs were considered promising tools to promote test systems development according to regulatory needs. Moreover, the AOP concept was identified as an important guiding principle to assemble predictive integrated testing strategies (ITSs) for DNT. The recommendations on a road map towards AOP-based DNT testing is considered a stepwise approach, operating initially with incomplete AOPs for compound grouping, and focussing on key events of neurodevelopment. Next steps to be considered in follow-up activities are the use of case studies to further apply the AOP concept in regulatory DNT testing, making use of AOP intersections (common key events) for economic development of screening assays, and addressing the transition from qualitative descriptions to quantitative network modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bal-Price
- Systems Toxicology Unit, EURL-ECVAM, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, European Commission, Joint Research Centre, TP 580, Via Fermi 1, 21026, Ispra, VA, Italy,
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17
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Smirnova L, Hogberg HT, Leist M, Hartung T. Developmental neurotoxicity - challenges in the 21st century and in vitro opportunities. ALTEX-ALTERNATIVES TO ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION 2015; 31:129-56. [PMID: 24687333 DOI: 10.14573/altex.1403271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2014] [Accepted: 03/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In recent years neurodevelopmental problems in children have increased at a rate that suggests lifestyle factors and chemical exposures as likely contributors. When environmental chemicals contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) becomes an enormous concern. But how can it be tackled? Current animal test- based guidelines are prohibitively expensive, at $ 1.4 million per substance, while their predictivity for human health effects may be limited, and mechanistic data that would help species extrapolation are not available. A broader screening for substances of concern requires a reliable testing strategy, applicable to larger numbers of substances, and sufficiently predictive to warrant further testing. This review discusses the evidence for possible contributions of environmental chemicals to DNT, limitations of the current test paradigm, emerging concepts and technologies pertinent to in vitro DNT testing and assay evaluation, as well as the prospect of a paradigm shift based on 21st century technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Smirnova
- Centers for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA
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18
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Shinde V, Stöber R, Nemade H, Sotiriadou I, Hescheler J, Hengstler J, Sachinidis A. Transcriptomics of Hepatocytes Treated with Toxicants for Investigating Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Hepatotoxicity. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1250:225-40. [PMID: 26272146 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2074-7_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Transcriptomics is a powerful tool for high-throughput gene expression profiling. Transcriptome microarray experiments conducted with RNA isolated from hepatocytes after exposure to toxicants enable a deep insight into the molecular mechanisms of hepatotoxicity. This understanding, along with structure-activity relationships underlying hepatotoxicity, will provide a novel strategy to design cost-effective and safer therapeutics. Transcriptomics studies conducted with established hepatotoxic drugs in various in vitro and in vivo hepatotoxicity test systems have contributed to the elucidation of the mechanistic basis of liver insults, which were later on substantiated at the proteomics and metabolomics levels. The present chapter is focused on comprehensive transcriptomics of cultured primary hepatocytes treated with chemicals by applying Affymetrix microarray technology. It also describes the detailed protocol for culturing of hepatocytes, their exposure to toxicants as well as sample collection, including RNA isolation, RNA target preparation and finally the hybridization to gene chips for microarray expression analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaibhav Shinde
- Center of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Neurophysiology, University of Cologne, Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
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19
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Using Pluripotent Stem Cells and Their Progeny as an In VitroModel to Assess (Developmental) Neurotoxicity. METHODS AND PRINCIPLES IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/9783527674183.ch13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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20
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Zimmer B, Pallocca G, Dreser N, Foerster S, Waldmann T, Westerhout J, Julien S, Krause KH, van Thriel C, Hengstler JG, Sachinidis A, Bosgra S, Leist M. Profiling of drugs and environmental chemicals for functional impairment of neural crest migration in a novel stem cell-based test battery. Arch Toxicol 2014; 88:1109-26. [PMID: 24691702 PMCID: PMC3996367 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-014-1231-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Developmental toxicity in vitro assays have hitherto been established as stand-alone systems, based on a limited number of toxicants. Within the embryonic stem cell-based novel alternative tests project, we developed a test battery framework that allows inclusion of any developmental toxicity assay and that explores the responses of such test systems to a wide range of drug-like compounds. We selected 28 compounds, including several biologics (e.g., erythropoietin), classical pharmaceuticals (e.g., roflumilast) and also six environmental toxicants. The chemical, toxicological and clinical data of this screen library were compiled. In order to determine a non-cytotoxic concentration range, cytotoxicity data were obtained for all compounds from HEK293 cells and from murine embryonic stem cells. Moreover, an estimate of relevant exposures was provided by literature data mining. To evaluate feasibility of the suggested test framework, we selected a well-characterized assay that evaluates ‘migration inhibition of neural crest cells.’ Screening at the highest non-cytotoxic concentration resulted in 11 hits (e.g., geldanamycin, abiraterone, gefitinib, chlorpromazine, cyproconazole, arsenite). These were confirmed in concentration–response studies. Subsequent pharmacokinetic modeling indicated that triadimefon exerted its effects at concentrations relevant to the in vivo situation, and also interferon-β and polybrominated diphenyl ether showed effects within the same order of magnitude of concentrations that may be reached in humans. In conclusion, the test battery framework can identify compounds that disturb processes relevant for human development and therefore may represent developmental toxicants. The open structure of the strategy allows rich information to be generated on both the underlying library, and on any contributing assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Zimmer
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York City, NY, USA
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