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Salerno JA, Rehen S. Human pluripotent stem cells as a translational toolkit in psychedelic research in vitro. iScience 2024; 27:109631. [PMID: 38628967 PMCID: PMC11019282 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Psychedelics, recognized for their impact on perception, are resurging as promising treatments with rapid onset for mood and substance use disorders. Despite increasing evidence from clinical trials, questions persist about the cellular and molecular mechanisms and their precise correlation with treatment outcomes. Murine neurons and immortalized non-neural cell lines harboring overexpressed constructs have shed light on neuroplastic changes mediated by the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) as the primary mechanism. However, limitations exist in capturing human- and disease-specific traits. Here, we discuss current accomplishments and prospects for incorporating human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) to complement these models. PSCs can differentiate into various brain cell types, mirroring endogenous expression patterns and cell identities to recreate disease phenotypes. Brain organoids derived from PSCs resemble cell diversity and patterning, while region-specific organoids simulate circuit-level phenotypes. PSC-based models hold significant promise to illuminate the cellular and molecular substrates of psychedelic-induced phenotypic recovery in neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Alexandre Salerno
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Morphological Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Stevens Rehen
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Usona Institute, Fitchburg, WI, USA
- Promega Corporation, Madison, WI, USA
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2
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Jafarzadeh E, Soodi M, Tiraihi T, Zarei M, Qasemian-Lemraski M. Study of lead-induced neurotoxicity in cholinergic cells differentiated from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Toxicol Ind Health 2022; 38:655-664. [PMID: 35838060 DOI: 10.1177/07482337221115514] [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] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The developing brain is susceptible to the neurotoxic effects of lead. Exposure to lead has main effects on the cholinergic system and causes reduction of cholinergic neuron function during brain development. Disruption of the cholinergic system by chemicals, which play important roles during brain development, causes of neurodevelopmental toxicity. Differentiation of stem cells to neural cells is recently considered a promising tool for neurodevelopmental toxicity studies. This study evaluated the toxicity of lead acetate exposure during the differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchyme stem cells (bone marrow stem cells, BMSCs) to cholinergic neurons. Following institutional animal care review board approval, BMSCs were obtained from adult rats. The differentiating protocol included two stages that were pre-induction with β-mercaptoethanol (BME) for 24 h and differentiation to cholinergic neurons with nerve growth factor (NGF) over 5 days. The cells were exposed to different lead acetate concentrations (0.1-100 μm) during three stages, including undifferentiated, pre-induction, and neuronal differentiation stages; cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Lead exposure (0.01-100 μg/ml) had no cytotoxic effect on BMSCs but could significantly reduce cell viability at 50 and 100 μm concentrations during pre-induction and neuronal differentiation stages. MAP2 and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) protein expression were investigated by immunocytochemistry. Although cells treated with 100 μm lead concentration expressed MAP2 protein in the differentiation stages, they had no neuronal cell morphology. The ChAT expression was negative in cells treated with lead. The present study showed that differentiated neuronal BMSCs are sensitive to lead toxicity during differentiation, and it is suggested that these cells be used to study neurodevelopmental toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emad Jafarzadeh
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, 48503Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maliheh Soodi
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, 48503Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Taki Tiraihi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, 41616Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammadhadi Zarei
- Medical Plants Research Center, 154205Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Mehdi Qasemian-Lemraski
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, 48503Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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Moser VC, Morris-Schaffer K, Richardson JR, Li AA. Glyphosate and neurological outcomes: A systematic literature review of animal studies. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2022; 25:162-209. [PMID: 35676826 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2022.2083739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Studies of nervous system effects of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, have not been critically examined. The aim of this paper was to systematically review glyphosate-induced neurotoxicity literature to determine its usefulness in regulatory decision-making. The review was restricted to mammalian studies of behavior, neuropathology, and neuropharmacology; in vitro and other biochemical studies were considered supplementary information. Glyphosate formulation studies were also considered, despite uncertainties regarding toxicities of the formulated products; no studies used a formulation vehicle as the control. Inclusion criteria were developed a priori to ensure consistent evaluation of studies, and in vivo investigations were also ranked using ToxRTool software to determine reliability. There were 27 in vivo studies (open literature and available regulatory reports), but 11 studies were considered unreliable (mostly due to critical methodological deficiencies). There were only seven acceptable investigations on glyphosate alone. Studies differed in terms of dosing scenarios, experimental designs, test species, and commercial product. Limitations included using only one dose and/or one test time, small sample sizes, limited data presentation, and/or overtly toxic doses. While motor activity was the most consistently affected endpoint (10 of 12 studies), there were considerable differences in outcomes. In six investigations, there were no marked neuropathological changes in the central or peripheral nervous system. Other neurological effects were less consistent, and some outcomes were less convincing due to influences including high variability and small effect sizes. Taken together, these studies do not demonstrate a consistent impact of glyphosate on the structure or function of the mammalian nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Keith Morris-Schaffer
- Exponent Inc, Center for Chemical Regulation and Food Safety, Sacramento, California
| | - Jason R Richardson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel School of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Abby A Li
- Exponent Inc, Center for Health Sciences, Oakland, CA, United States
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Culbreth M, Nyffeler J, Willis C, Harrill JA. Optimization of Human Neural Progenitor Cells for an Imaging-Based High-Throughput Phenotypic Profiling Assay for Developmental Neurotoxicity Screening. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2022; 3:803987. [PMID: 35295155 PMCID: PMC8915842 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2021.803987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies in in vivo rodent models have been the accepted approach by regulatory agencies to evaluate potential developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) of chemicals for decades. These studies, however, are inefficient and cannot meet the demand for the thousands of chemicals that need to be assessed for DNT hazard. As such, several in vitro new approach methods (NAMs) have been developed to circumvent limitations of these traditional studies. The DNT NAMs, some of which utilize human-derived cell models, are intended to be employed in a testing battery approach, each focused on a specific neurodevelopmental process. The need for multiple assays, however, to evaluate each process can prolong testing and prioritization of chemicals for more in depth assessments. Therefore, a multi-endpoint higher-throughput approach to assess DNT hazard potential would be of value. Accordingly, we have adapted a high-throughput phenotypic profiling (HTPP) approach for use with human-derived neural progenitor (hNP1) cells. HTPP is a fluorescence-based assay that quantitatively measures alterations in cellular morphology. This approach, however, required optimization of several laboratory procedures prior to chemical screening. First, we had to determine an appropriate cell plating density in 384-well plates. We then had to identify the minimum laminin concentration required for optimal cell growth and attachment. And finally, we had to evaluate whether addition of antibiotics to the culture medium would alter cellular morphology. We selected 6,000 cells/well as an appropriate plating density, 20 µg/ml laminin for optimal cell growth and attachment, and antibiotic addition in the culture medium. After optimizing hNP1 cell culture conditions for HTPP, it was then necessary to select appropriate in-plate assay controls from a reference chemical set. These reference chemicals were previously demonstrated to elicit unique phenotypic profiles in various other cell types. Aphidicolin, bafilomycin A1, berberine chloride, and cucurbitacin I induced robust phenotypic profiles as compared to dimethyl sulfoxide vehicle control in the hNP1 cells, and thus can be employed as in-plate assay controls for subsequent chemical screens. We have optimized HTPP for hNP1 cells, and consequently this approach can now be assessed as a potential NAM for DNT hazard evaluation and results compared to previously developed DNT assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Culbreth
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Johanna Nyffeler
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, United States
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Postdoctoral Fellow, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Clinton Willis
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Joshua A. Harrill
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, United States
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Carstens KE, Carpenter AF, Martin MM, Harrill JA, Shafer TJ, Paul Friedman K. OUP accepted manuscript. Toxicol Sci 2022; 187:62-79. [PMID: 35172012 PMCID: PMC9421662 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfac018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In vivo developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) testing is resource intensive and lacks information on cellular processes affected by chemicals. To address this, DNT new approach methodologies (NAMs) are being evaluated, including: the microelectrode array neuronal network formation assay; and high-content imaging to evaluate proliferation, apoptosis, neurite outgrowth, and synaptogenesis. This work addresses 3 hypotheses: (1) a broad screening battery provides a sensitive marker of DNT bioactivity; (2) selective bioactivity (occurring at noncytotoxic concentrations) may indicate functional processes disrupted; and, (3) a subset of endpoints may optimally classify chemicals with in vivo evidence for DNT. The dataset was comprised of 92 chemicals screened in all 57 assay endpoints sourced from publicly available data, including a set of DNT NAM evaluation chemicals with putative positives (53) and negatives (13). The DNT NAM battery provides a sensitive marker of DNT bioactivity, particularly in cytotoxicity and network connectivity parameters. Hierarchical clustering suggested potency (including cytotoxicity) was important for classifying positive chemicals with high sensitivity (93%) but failed to distinguish patterns of disrupted functional processes. In contrast, clustering of selective values revealed informative patterns of differential activity but demonstrated lower sensitivity (74%). The false negatives were associated with several limitations, such as the maximal concentration tested or gaps in the biology captured by the current battery. This work demonstrates that this multi-dimensional assay suite provides a sensitive biomarker for DNT bioactivity, with selective activity providing possible insight into specific functional processes affected by chemical exposure and a basis for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly E Carstens
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, USA
| | - Amy F Carpenter
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, USA
| | - Melissa M Martin
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA
| | - Joshua A Harrill
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA
| | - Timothy J Shafer
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA
| | - Katie Paul Friedman
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA
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Förster N, Butke J, Keßel HE, Bendt F, Pahl M, Li L, Fan X, Leung PC, Klose J, Masjosthusmann S, Fritsche E, Mosig A. Reliable identification and quantification of neural cells in microscopic images of neurospheres. Cytometry A 2021; 101:411-422. [PMID: 34747115 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.24514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Neurosphere cultures consisting of primary human neural stem/progenitor cells (hNPC) are used for studying the effects of substances on early neurodevelopmental processes in vitro. Differentiating hNPCs migrate and differentiate into radial glia, neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes upon plating on a suitable extracellular matrix and thus model processes of early neural development. In order to characterize alterations in hNPC development, it is thus an essential task to reliably identify the cell type of each migrated cell in the migration area of a neurosphere. To this end, we introduce and validate a deep learning approach for identifying and quantifying cell types in microscopic images of differentiated hNPC. As we demonstrate, our approach performs with high accuracy and is robust against typical potential confounders. We demonstrate that our deep learning approach reproduces the dose responses of well-established developmental neurotoxic compounds and controls, indicating its potential in medium or high throughput in vitro screening studies. Hence, our approach can be used for studying compound effects on neural differentiation processes in an automated and unbiased process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Förster
- Department of Bioinformatics, Center for Protein Diagnostics, Ruhr-University Bochum, Gesundheitscampus 4, Bochum, Germany
| | - Joshua Butke
- Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstr 150, Bochum, Germany
| | - Hagen Eike Keßel
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Farina Bendt
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Melanie Pahl
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Lu Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin New Town, Hong Kong
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin New Town, Hong Kong
| | - Xiaohui Fan
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ping-Chung Leung
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin New Town, Hong Kong
| | - Jördis Klose
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Stefan Masjosthusmann
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Ellen Fritsche
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Axel Mosig
- Department of Bioinformatics, Center for Protein Diagnostics, Ruhr-University Bochum, Gesundheitscampus 4, Bochum, Germany
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A Propagated Skeleton Approach to High Throughput Screening of Neurite Outgrowth for In Vitro Parkinson's Disease Modelling. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040931. [PMID: 33920556 PMCID: PMC8072564 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal models of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's Disease (PD) are extensively studied in pathological and therapeutical research with neurite outgrowth being a core feature. Screening of neurite outgrowth enables characterization of various stimuli and therapeutic effects after lesion. In this study, we describe an autonomous computational assay for a high throughput skeletonization approach allowing for quantification of neurite outgrowth in large data sets from fluorescence microscopic imaging. Development and validation of the assay was conducted with differentiated SH-SY5Y cells and primary mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons (MDN) treated with the neurotoxic lesioning compound Rotenone. Results of manual annotation using NeuronJ and automated data were shown to correlate strongly (R2-value 0.9077 for SH-SY5Y cells and R2-value 0.9297 for MDN). Pooled linear regressions of results from SH-SY5Y cell image data could be integrated into an equation formula (y=0.5410·x+1792; y=0.8789·x+0.09191 for normalized results) with y depicting automated and x depicting manual data. This automated neurite length algorithm constitutes a valuable tool for modelling of neurite outgrowth that can be easily applied to evaluate therapeutic compounds with high throughput approaches.
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Johnstone AFM, Mack CM, Valdez MC, Shafer TJ, LoPachin RM, Herr DW, Kodavanti PRS. Acute in vitro effects on embryonic rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cultures by in silico predicted neurotoxic chemicals: Evaluations on cytotoxicity, neurite length, and neurophysiology. Toxicol In Vitro 2020; 69:104989. [PMID: 32882341 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2020.104989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The Hard-Soft Acid and Base hypothesis can be used to predict the potential bio-reactivity (electrophilicity) of a chemical with intracellular proteins, resulting in neurotoxicity. Twelve chemicals predicted to be neurotoxic were evaluated in vitro in rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) for effects on cytotoxicity (%LDH), neuronal structure (total neurite length/neuron, NLPN), and neurophysiology (mean firing rate, MFR). DRGs were treated acutely on days in vitro (DIV) 7 (1-100 μM) with test chemical; %LDH and NLPN were measured after 48 h. 4-cyclohexylhexanone (4-C) increased %LDH release at 50 (29%) and 100 μM (56%), citronellal (Cit) and 1-bromopropane increased %LDH at 100 μM (22% and 26%). 4-C, Cit, 2,5 Hexanedione (2,5Hex), phenylacetylaldehyde (PAA) and 2-ethylhexanal decreased mean NLPN at 48 h; 50 and 100 μM for 4-C (28% and 60%), 100 μM Cit (52%), 100 μM 2,5- Hex (37%) 100 μM PAA (41%) and 100 μM for 2-ethylhexanal (23%). Separate DRG cultures were treated on DIV 14 and changes in MFR measured. Four compounds decreased MFR at 50 or 100 μM: Acrylamide (-83%), 3,4-dichloro-1-butene (-93%), 4-C (-89%) and hexane (-79%, 50 μM). Changes in MFR and NLPN occurred in absence of cytotoxicity. While the current study showed little cytotoxicity, it gave insight to initial changes in MFR. Results provide insight for future chronic exposure experiments to evaluate neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew F M Johnstone
- Clinical Research Branch, Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, CPHEA/ORD, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
| | - Cina M Mack
- Neurological and Endocrine Toxicology Branch, Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, CPHEA/ORD, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Matthew C Valdez
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Timothy J Shafer
- Rapid Assay Development Branch, Biomolecular and Computational Toxicology Division, CCTE/ORD, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Richard M LoPachin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 E. 210th St, Bronx, NY 10467, United States of America
| | - David W Herr
- Neurological and Endocrine Toxicology Branch, Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, CPHEA/ORD, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Prasada Rao S Kodavanti
- Neurological and Endocrine Toxicology Branch, Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, CPHEA/ORD, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
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Paparella M, Bennekou SH, Bal-Price A. An analysis of the limitations and uncertainties of in vivo developmental neurotoxicity testing and assessment to identify the potential for alternative approaches. Reprod Toxicol 2020; 96:327-336. [PMID: 32781019 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Limitations of regulatory in vivo developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) testing and assessment are well known, such as the 3Rs conflict, low throughput, high costs, high specific expertise needed and the lack of deeper mechanistic information. Moreover, the standard in vivo DNT data variability and in the experimental animal to human real life extrapolation is uncertain. Here, knowledge about these limitations and uncertainties is systematically summarized using a tabular OECD format. We also outline a hypothesis how alternative, fit-for-purpose Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATAs) for DNT could improve current standard animal testing: Relative gains in 3Rs compliance, reduced costs, higher throughput, improved basic study design, higher standardization of testing and assessment and validation without 3Rs conflict, increasing the availability and reliability of DNT data. This could allow a more reliable comparative toxicity assessment over a larger proportion of chemicals within our global environment. The use of early, mechanistic, sensitive indicators for potential DNT could better support human safety assessment and mixture extrapolation. Using kinetic modelling ideally these could provide - eventually context dependent - at least the same level of human health protection. Such new approaches could also lead to a new mechanistic understanding for chemical safety, permitting determination of a dose that is likely not to trigger defined toxicity traits or pathways, rather than a dose not causing the current apical organism endpoints. The manuscript shall motivate and guide the development of new alternative methods for IATAs with diverse applications and support decision-making for their regulatory acceptance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Paparella
- Division of Medical Biochemistry, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | | | - Anna Bal-Price
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
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Fritsche E, Barenys M, Klose J, Masjosthusmann S, Nimtz L, Schmuck M, Wuttke S, Tigges J. Current Availability of Stem Cell-Based In Vitro Methods for Developmental Neurotoxicity (DNT) Testing. Toxicol Sci 2019; 165:21-30. [PMID: 29982830 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfy178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
There is evidence that chemical exposure during development can cause irreversible impairments of the human developing nervous system. Therefore, testing compounds for their developmentally neurotoxic potential has high priority for different stakeholders: academia, industry, and regulatory bodies. Due to the resource-intensity of current developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) in vivo guidelines, alternative methods that are scientifically valid and have a high predictivity for humans are especially desired by regulators. Here, we review availability of stem-/progenitor cell-based in vitro methods for DNT evaluation that is based on the concept of neurodevelopmental process assessment. These test methods are assembled into a DNT in vitro testing battery. Gaps in this testing battery addressing research needs are also pointed out.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marta Barenys
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jördis Klose
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Stefan Masjosthusmann
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Laura Nimtz
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Martin Schmuck
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Saskia Wuttke
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Julia Tigges
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
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11
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Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Neural Lineages as In Vitro Models for Screening the Neuroprotective Properties of Lignosus rhinocerus (Cooke) Ryvarden. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:3126376. [PMID: 33204680 PMCID: PMC7658738 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3126376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In the biomedical field, there is growing interest in using human stem cell-derived neurons as in vitro models for pharmacological and toxicological screening of bioactive compounds extracted from natural products. Lignosus rhinocerus (Tiger Milk Mushroom) is used by indigenous communities in Malaysia as a traditional medicine to treat various diseases. The sclerotium of L. rhinocerus has been reported to have medicinal properties, including various bioactivities such as neuritogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective activities of L. rhinocerus sclerotial extracts. Human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived neural lineages exposed to the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone (DEX), were used as the in vitro models. Excess glucocorticoids have been shown to adversely affect fetal brain development and impair differentiation of neural progenitor cells. Screening of different L. rhinocerus sclerotial extracts and DEX on the hESC-derived neural lineages was conducted using cell viability and neurite outgrowth assays. The neuroprotective effects of L. rhinocerus sclerotial extracts against DEX were further evaluated using apoptosis assays and Western blot analysis. Hot aqueous and methanol extracts of L. rhinocerus sclerotium promoted neurite outgrowth of hESC-derived neural stem cells (NSCs) with negligible cytotoxicity. Treatment with DEX decreased viability of NSCs by inducing apoptosis. Coincubation of L. rhinocerus methanol extract with DEX attenuated the DEX-induced apoptosis and reduction in phospho-Akt (pAkt) level in NSCs. These results suggest the involvement of Akt signaling in the neuroprotection of L. rhinocerus methanol extract against DEX-induced apoptosis in NSCs. Methanol extract of L. rhinocerus sclerotium exhibited potential neuroprotective activities against DEX-induced toxicity in hESC-derived NSCs. This study thus validates the use of human stem cell-derived neural lineages as potential in vitro models for screening of natural products with neuroprotective properties.
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Feutz AC, De Geyter C. Accuracy, discriminative properties and reliability of a human ESC-based in vitro toxicity assay to distinguish teratogens responsible for neural tube defects. Arch Toxicol 2019; 93:2375-2384. [PMID: 31401662 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-019-02512-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The poor correlation of developmental toxicity studies in animals with human outcome data has emphasized the need for complementary assays based on human cells and tissues. As neural tube defects represent an important proportion of congenital malformations, we evaluated here the accuracy of a human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-based assay to predict chemically induced disruption of neural tube formation. As teratogenic compounds, we used cyclopamine (CPA), valproic acid (VPA), ochratoxin A (OTA) and mycophenolic acid (MMF), all suspected or known inducers of human neural tube defects, as well as theophylline and saccharin as negative control compounds. We analyzed their effects on the ability of hES cells to give rise to neural precursors (expressing specific marker Nestin), to form neural tube-like structures (rosettes), and to express specific markers (Sox1, Otx2, Lix1, EvI1, Rspo3) during rosette formation. The results showed that various effects of the selected compounds on early neural development could be specifically revealed in vitro through related alterations of neurogenic differentiation of hESC. Furthermore, it was possible to discriminate toxicants acting at different time points during embryonic development and, therefore, responsible for distinct adverse effects on neural tube formation. By comparing four different hESC lines, we observed a significant (up to fivefold) variability of the line-dependent response to toxicants. We highlight at least two sources of variability: one related to the heterogeneity of hESC lines in culture (stemness/commitment profiles); the second to possible genetically determined differences in individual sensitivity to teratogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Catherine Feutz
- Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endocrinology (RME), University Hospital, University of Basel, Vogesenstrasse 134, 4031, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedicine (DBM), University Hospital, University of Basel, Hebelstrasse 20, 4031, Basel, Switzerland.,SCAHT-Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology, University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 64, 4055, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian De Geyter
- Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endocrinology (RME), University Hospital, University of Basel, Vogesenstrasse 134, 4031, Basel, Switzerland. .,SCAHT-Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology, University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 64, 4055, Basel, Switzerland.
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13
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Li J, Settivari R, LeBaron MJ, Marty MS. An industry perspective: A streamlined screening strategy using alternative models for chemical assessment of developmental neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicology 2019; 73:17-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2019.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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14
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Delp J, Funke M, Rudolf F, Cediel A, Bennekou SH, van der Stel W, Carta G, Jennings P, Toma C, Gardner I, van de Water B, Forsby A, Leist M. Development of a neurotoxicity assay that is tuned to detect mitochondrial toxicants. Arch Toxicol 2019; 93:1585-1608. [PMID: 31190196 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-019-02473-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Many neurotoxicants affect energy metabolism in man, but currently available test methods may still fail to predict mito- and neurotoxicity. We addressed this issue using LUHMES cells, i.e., human neuronal precursors that easily differentiate into mature neurons. Within the NeuriTox assay, they have been used to screen for neurotoxicants. Our new approach is based on culturing the cells in either glucose or galactose (Glc-Gal-NeuriTox) as the main carbohydrate source during toxicity testing. Using this Glc-Gal-NeuriTox assay, 52 mitochondrial and non-mitochondrial toxicants were tested. The panel of chemicals comprised 11 inhibitors of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I (cI), 4 inhibitors of cII, 8 of cIII, and 2 of cIV; 8 toxicants were included as they are assumed to be mitochondrial uncouplers. In galactose, cells became more dependent on mitochondrial function, which made them 2-3 orders of magnitude more sensitive to various mitotoxicants. Moreover, galactose enhanced the specific neurotoxicity (destruction of neurites) compared to a general cytotoxicity (plasma membrane lysis) of the toxicants. The Glc-Gal-NeuriTox assay worked particularly well for inhibitors of cI and cIII, while the toxicity of uncouplers and non-mitochondrial toxicants did not differ significantly upon glucose ↔ galactose exchange. As a secondary assay, we developed a method to quantify the inhibition of all mitochondrial respiratory chain functions/complexes in LUHMES cells. The combination of the Glc-Gal-NeuriTox neurotoxicity screening assay with the mechanistic follow up of target site identification allowed both, a more sensitive detection of neurotoxicants and a sharper definition of the mode of action of mitochondrial toxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Delp
- Chair for In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department of Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Constance, Germany
- Cooperative Doctorate College InViTe, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
| | - Melina Funke
- Chair for In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department of Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Franziska Rudolf
- Chair for In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department of Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Andrea Cediel
- Swetox Unit for Toxicological Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Wanda van der Stel
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Giada Carta
- Division of Molecular and Computational Toxicology, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Jennings
- Division of Molecular and Computational Toxicology, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cosimo Toma
- Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via la Masa 19, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Bob van de Water
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anna Forsby
- Swetox Unit for Toxicological Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marcel Leist
- Chair for In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department of Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Constance, Germany.
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15
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Shafer TJ. Application of Microelectrode Array Approaches to Neurotoxicity Testing and Screening. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2019; 22:275-297. [PMID: 31073941 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-11135-9_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Neurotoxicity can be defined by the ability of a drug or chemical to alter the physiology, biochemistry, or structure of the nervous system in a manner that may negatively impact the health or function of the individual. Electrophysiological approaches have been utilized to study the mechanisms underlying neurotoxic actions of drugs and chemicals for over 50 years, and in more recent decades, high-throughput patch-clamp approaches have been utilized by the pharmaceutical industry for drug development. The use of microelectrode array recordings to study neural network electrophysiology is a relatively newer approach, with commercially available systems becoming available only in the early 2000s. However, MEAs have been rapidly adopted as a useful approach for neurotoxicity testing. In this chapter, I will review the use of MEA approaches as they have been applied to the field of neurotoxicity testing, especially as they have been applied to the need to screen large numbers of chemicals for neurotoxicity and developmental neurotoxicity. In addition, I will also identify challenges for the field that when addressed will improve the utility of MEA approaches for toxicity testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Shafer
- Integrated Systems Toxicology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
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16
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Bal-Price A, Pistollato F, Sachana M, Bopp SK, Munn S, Worth A. Strategies to improve the regulatory assessment of developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) using in vitro methods. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2018; 354:7-18. [PMID: 29476865 PMCID: PMC6095942 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2018.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Currently, the identification of chemicals that have the potential to induce developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) is based on animal testing. Since at the regulatory level, systematic testing of DNT is not a standard requirement within the EU or USA chemical legislation safety assessment, DNT testing is only performed in higher tiered testing triggered based on chemical structure activity relationships or evidence of neurotoxicity in systemic acute or repeated dose toxicity studies. However, these triggers are rarely used and, in addition, do not always serve as reliable indicators of DNT, as they are generally based on observations in adult rodents. Therefore, there is a pressing need for developing alternative methodologies that can reliably support identification of DNT triggers, and more rapidly and cost-effectively support the identification and characterization of chemicals with DNT potential. We propose to incorporate mechanistic knowledge and data derived from in vitro studies to support various regulatory applications including: (a) the identification of potential DNT triggers, (b) initial chemical screening and prioritization, (c) hazard identification and characterization, (d) chemical biological grouping, and (e) assessment of exposure to chemical mixtures. Ideally, currently available cellular neuronal/glial models derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) should be used as they allow evaluation of chemical impacts on key neurodevelopmental processes, by reproducing different windows of exposure during human brain development. A battery of DNT in vitro test methods derived from hiPSCs could generate valuable mechanistic data, speeding up the evaluation of thousands of compounds present in industrial, agricultural and consumer products that lack safety data on DNT potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bal-Price
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy.
| | | | - Magdalini Sachana
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 2 rue André Pascal, 75775 Paris, Cedex 16, France
| | | | - Sharon Munn
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | - Andrew Worth
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
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17
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Harrill JA, Freudenrich T, Wallace K, Ball K, Shafer TJ, Mundy WR. Testing for developmental neurotoxicity using a battery of in vitro assays for key cellular events in neurodevelopment. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2018; 354:24-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2018.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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18
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Gopurappilly R, Deb BK, Chakraborty P, Hasan G. Stable STIM1 Knockdown in Self-Renewing Human Neural Precursors Promotes Premature Neural Differentiation. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:178. [PMID: 29942250 PMCID: PMC6004407 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Ca2+ signaling plays a significant role in the development of the vertebrate nervous system where it regulates neurite growth as well as synapse and neurotransmitter specification. Elucidating the role of Ca2+ signaling in mammalian neuronal development has been largely restricted to either small animal models or primary cultures. Here we derived human neural precursor cells (NPCs) from human embryonic stem cells to understand the functional significance of a less understood arm of calcium signaling, Store-operated Ca2+ entry or SOCE, in neuronal development. Human NPCs exhibited robust SOCE, which was significantly attenuated by expression of a stable shRNA-miR targeted toward the SOCE molecule, STIM1. Along with the plasma membrane channel Orai, STIM is an essential component of SOCE in many cell types, where it regulates gene expression. Therefore, we measured global gene expression in human NPCs with and without STIM1 knockdown. Interestingly, pathways down-regulated through STIM1 knockdown were related to cell proliferation and DNA replication processes, whereas post-synaptic signaling was identified as an up-regulated process. To understand the functional significance of these gene expression changes we measured the self-renewal capacity of NPCs with STIM1 knockdown. The STIM1 knockdown NPCs demonstrated significantly reduced neurosphere size and number as well as precocious spontaneous differentiation toward the neuronal lineage, as compared to control cells. These findings demonstrate that STIM1 mediated SOCE in human NPCs regulates gene expression changes, that in vivo are likely to physiologically modulate the self-renewal and differentiation of NPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renjitha Gopurappilly
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, India
| | - Bipan Kumar Deb
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, India
| | - Pragnya Chakraborty
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, India
| | - Gaiti Hasan
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, India
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19
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Bal-Price A, Hogberg HT, Crofton KM, Daneshian M, FitzGerald RE, Fritsche E, Heinonen T, Hougaard Bennekou S, Klima S, Piersma AH, Sachana M, Shafer TJ, Terron A, Monnet-Tschudi F, Viviani B, Waldmann T, Westerink RHS, Wilks MF, Witters H, Zurich MG, Leist M. Recommendation on test readiness criteria for new approach methods in toxicology: Exemplified for developmental neurotoxicity. ALTEX-ALTERNATIVES TO ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION 2018; 35:306-352. [PMID: 29485663 DOI: 10.14573/altex.1712081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Multiple non-animal-based test methods have never been formally validated. In order to use such new approach methods (NAMs) in a regulatory context, criteria to define their readiness are necessary. The field of developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) testing is used to exemplify the application of readiness criteria. The costs and number of untested chemicals are overwhelming for in vivo DNT testing. Thus, there is a need for inexpensive, high-throughput NAMs, to obtain initial information on potential hazards, and to allow prioritization for further testing. A background on the regulatory and scientific status of DNT testing is provided showing different types of test readiness levels, depending on the intended use of data from NAMs. Readiness criteria, compiled during a stakeholder workshop, uniting scientists from academia, industry and regulatory authorities are presented. An important step beyond the listing of criteria, was the suggestion for a preliminary scoring scheme. On this basis a (semi)-quantitative analysis process was assembled on test readiness of 17 NAMs with respect to various uses (e.g. prioritization/screening, risk assessment). The scoring results suggest that several assays are currently at high readiness levels. Therefore, suggestions are made on how DNT NAMs may be assembled into an integrated approach to testing and assessment (IATA). In parallel, the testing state in these assays was compiled for more than 1000 compounds. Finally, a vision is presented on how further NAM development may be guided by knowledge of signaling pathways necessary for brain development, DNT pathophysiology, and relevant adverse outcome pathways (AOP).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bal-Price
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (EC JRC), Ispra (VA), Italy
| | - Helena T Hogberg
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kevin M Crofton
- National Centre for Computational Toxicology, US EPA, RTP, Washington, NC, USA
| | - Mardas Daneshian
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, CAAT-Europe, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Rex E FitzGerald
- Swiss Centre for Human Applied Toxicology, SCAHT, University of Basle, Switzerland
| | - Ellen Fritsche
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine & Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Tuula Heinonen
- Finnish Centre for Alternative Methods (FICAM), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Stefanie Klima
- In vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Aldert H Piersma
- RIVM, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, and Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Magdalini Sachana
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Paris, France
| | - Timothy J Shafer
- National Centre for Computational Toxicology, US EPA, RTP, Washington, NC, USA
| | | | - Florianne Monnet-Tschudi
- Swiss Centre for Human Applied Toxicology, SCAHT, University of Basle, Switzerland.,Department of Physiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Viviani
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Tanja Waldmann
- In vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Remco H S Westerink
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martin F Wilks
- Swiss Centre for Human Applied Toxicology, SCAHT, University of Basle, Switzerland
| | - Hilda Witters
- VITO, Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Unit Environmental Risk and Health, Mol, Belgium
| | - Marie-Gabrielle Zurich
- Swiss Centre for Human Applied Toxicology, SCAHT, University of Basle, Switzerland.,Department of Physiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Leist
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, CAAT-Europe, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.,In vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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20
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Fritsche E, Grandjean P, Crofton KM, Aschner M, Goldberg A, Heinonen T, Hessel EVS, Hogberg HT, Bennekou SH, Lein PJ, Leist M, Mundy WR, Paparella M, Piersma AH, Sachana M, Schmuck G, Solecki R, Terron A, Monnet-Tschudi F, Wilks MF, Witters H, Zurich MG, Bal-Price A. Consensus statement on the need for innovation, transition and implementation of developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) testing for regulatory purposes. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2018; 354:3-6. [PMID: 29447839 PMCID: PMC6097873 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
This consensus statement voices the agreement of scientific stakeholders from regulatory agencies, academia and industry that a new framework needs adopting for assessment of chemicals with the potential to disrupt brain development. An increased prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders in children has been observed that cannot solely be explained by genetics and recently pre- and postnatal exposure to environmental chemicals has been suspected as a causal factor. There is only very limited information on neurodevelopmental toxicity, leaving thousands of chemicals, that are present in the environment, with high uncertainty concerning their developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) potential. Closing this data gap with the current test guideline approach is not feasible, because the in vivo bioassays are far too resource-intensive concerning time, money and number of animals. A variety of in vitro methods are now available, that have the potential to close this data gap by permitting mode-of-action-based DNT testing employing human stem cells-derived neuronal/glial models. In vitro DNT data together with in silico approaches will in the future allow development of predictive models for DNT effects. The ultimate application goals of these new approach methods for DNT testing are their usage for different regulatory purposes. An increased prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders in children is observed. There is very limited information on neurodevelopmental toxicity (DNT) induced by environmental chemicals. A new framework is required for assessment of chemicals with the potential to disrupt brain development. In vitro DNT data together with in silico approaches should be used for regulatory purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Fritsche
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- University of Southern Denmark, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, USA
| | | | | | - Alan Goldberg
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Founding Director (Emeritus) of Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA; Global Food Ethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
| | - Tuula Heinonen
- Finnish Centre for Alternative Methods (FICAM), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Ellen V S Hessel
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM Center for Health Protection, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Helena T Hogberg
- Centre for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
| | | | - Pamela J Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, USA
| | - Marcel Leist
- CAAT - Centre for Alternatives to Animal Testing, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | | | | | - Aldert H Piersma
- RIVM Center for Health Protection, Bilthoven and Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Magdalini Sachana
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Paris, France
| | | | - Roland Solecki
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Martin F Wilks
- SCAHT - Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hilda Witters
- VITO, Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Unit Environmental Risk and Health, Belgium
| | | | - Anna Bal-Price
- European Commission -DG Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy.
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21
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In vitro assessment of chemotherapy-induced neuronal toxicity. Toxicol In Vitro 2018; 50:109-123. [PMID: 29427706 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neurotoxicity is a major concern during drug development, and together with liver and cardio-toxicity, it is one of the main causes of clinical drug attrition. Current pre-clinical models may not sufficiently identify and predict the risk for central or peripheral nervous system toxicity. One such example is clinically dose-limiting neuropathic effects after the administration of chemotherapeutic agents. Thus, the need to establish novel in vitro tools to evaluate the risk of neurotoxicities, such as neuropathy, remains unmet in drug discovery. Though in vitro studies have been conducted using primary and immortalized cell lines, some limitations include the utility for higher throughput methodologies, method reproducibility, and species extrapolation. As a novel alternative, human induced-pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons appear promising for testing new drug candidates. These iPSC-derived neurons are readily available and can be manipulated as required. Here, we describe a novel approach to assess neurotoxicity caused by different classes of chemotherapeutics using kinetic monitoring of neurite dynamic changes and apoptosis in human iPSC-neurons. These studies show promising changes in neurite dynamics in response to clinical inducers of neuropathy, as well as the ability to rank-order and gather mechanistic insight into class-specific compound induced neurotoxicity. This platform can be utilized in early drug development, as part of a weight of evidence approach, to screen drug candidates, and potentially reduce clinical attrition due to neurotoxicity.
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22
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Harrill JA. Human-Derived Neurons and Neural Progenitor Cells in High Content Imaging Applications. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1683:305-338. [PMID: 29082500 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7357-6_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Due to advances in the fields of stem cell biology and cellular engineering, a variety of commercially available human-derived neurons and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) are now available for use in research applications, including small molecule efficacy or toxicity screening. The use of human-derived neural cells is anticipated to address some of the uncertainties associated with the use of nonhuman culture models or transformed cell lines derived from human tissues. Many of the human-derived neurons and NPCs currently available from commercial sources recapitulate critical process of nervous system development including NPC proliferation, neurite outgrowth, synaptogenesis, and calcium signaling, each of which can be evaluated using high content image analysis (HCA). Human-derived neurons and NPCs are also amenable to culture in multiwell plate formats and thus may be adapted for use in HCA-based screening applications. This article reviews various types of HCA-based assays that have been used in conjunction with human-derived neurons and NPC cultures. This article also highlights instances where lower throughput analysis of neurodevelopmental processes has been performed and which demonstrate a potential for adaptation to higher-throughout imaging methods. Finally, a generic protocol for evaluating neurite outgrowth in human-derived neurons using a combination of immunocytochemistry and HCA is presented. The information provided in this article is intended to serve as a resource for cell model and assay selection for those interested in evaluating neurodevelopmental processes in human-derived cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A Harrill
- Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health, LLC, 5120 Northshore Drive, Little Rock, AR, 72118, USA.
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23
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Duarte DJ, Rutten JM, van den Berg M, Westerink RH. In vitro neurotoxic hazard characterization of different tricresyl phosphate (TCP) isomers and mixtures. Neurotoxicology 2017; 59:222-230. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2016.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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24
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Wu X, Majumder A, Webb R, Stice SL. High content imaging quantification of multiple in vitro human neurogenesis events after neurotoxin exposure. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol 2016; 17:62. [PMID: 27903287 PMCID: PMC5131404 DOI: 10.1186/s40360-016-0107-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Our objective was to test neural active compounds in a human developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) model that represents neural tube stages of vulnerability. Previously we showed that 14 days in vitro (DIV 14) was sufficient to generate cryopreserved neuronal cells for post thaw neurite recovery assays. However, short exposure and assessment may not detect toxicants that affect an early neurogenesis continuum, from a mitotic human neural progenitor (hNP) cell population through the course of neurite outgrowth in differentiating neurons. Therefore, we continuously exposed differentiating hNP cells from DIV 0 through DIV 14 to known toxicants and endocrine active compounds in order to assess at DIV 14 effects of these compounds in a human DNT maturation model for neurogenesis. Methods The Human DNT continuum (DIV 0 to DIV 14) was determined using immunocytochemistry for SOX1+ (proliferating hNP) and HuC/D+ (post mitotic neurons). The cumulative effects of five compounds was observed on neurite outgrowth in (βIII-tubulin+) and (HuC/D+) cells using high content imaging. All data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA with a significance threshold of p < 0.05. Results During maturation in vitro, the neural cultures transitioned from uniform hNP cells (DIV 0) to predominantly mature post mitotic neuronal neurons (HuC/D+, 65%; DIV14) but also maintained a smaller population of hNP cells (SOX1+). Using this DNT maturation model system, Bis-1, testosterone, and β-estradiol inhibited neuronal maturation at micromolar levels but were unaffected by acetaminophen. β-estradiol also disrupted neurite extension at 10 μM. Treating cells in this window with Bisphenol A (BPA) significantly inhibited neurite outgrowth and branching in these continuum cultures but only at the highest concentrations tested (10 μM). Conclusions Cumulative effects of neurotoxicant exposure during a maturation continuum altered human neurogenesis at lower exposure levels than observed in acute exposure of static cryopreserved neurite recovery neurons cultures. Unlike prior acute studies, β-estradiol was highly toxic when present throughout the continuum and cytotoxicity was manifested starting early in the continuum via a non-estrogen receptor α (ER α) mechanism. Therefore, the effect of neural developmental neurotoxins can and should be determined during the dynamic process of human neural maturation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40360-016-0107-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Wu
- Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.,Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | | | - Robin Webb
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Steven L Stice
- Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA. .,Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA. .,ArunA Biomedical, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
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Schmuck MR, Temme T, Dach K, de Boer D, Barenys M, Bendt F, Mosig A, Fritsche E. Omnisphero: a high-content image analysis (HCA) approach for phenotypic developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) screenings of organoid neurosphere cultures in vitro. Arch Toxicol 2016; 91:2017-2028. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-016-1852-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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26
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Aschner M, Ceccatelli S, Daneshian M, Fritsche E, Hasiwa N, Hartung T, Hogberg HT, Leist M, Li A, Mundi WR, Padilla S, Piersma AH, Bal-Price A, Seiler A, Westerink RH, Zimmer B, Lein PJ. Reference compounds for alternative test methods to indicate developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) potential of chemicals: example lists and criteria for their selection and use. ALTEX-ALTERNATIVES TO ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION 2016; 34:49-74. [PMID: 27452664 PMCID: PMC5250586 DOI: 10.14573/altex.1604201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
There is a paucity of information concerning the developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) hazard posed by industrial and environmental chemicals. New testing approaches will most likely be based on batteries of alternative and complementary (non-animal) tests. As DNT is assumed to result from the modulation of fundamental neurodevelopmental processes (such as neuronal differentiation, precursor cell migration or neuronal network formation) by chemicals, the first generation of alternative DNT tests target these processes. The advantage of such types of assays is that they capture toxicants with multiple targets and modes-of-action. Moreover, the processes modelled by the assays can be linked to toxicity endophenotypes, i.e. alterations in neural connectivity that form the basis for neurofunctional deficits in man. The authors of this review convened in a workshop to define criteria for the selection of positive/negative controls, to prepare recommendations on their use, and to initiate the setup of a directory of reference chemicals. For initial technical optimization of tests, a set of >50 endpoint-specific control compounds was identified. For further test development, an additional “test” set of 33 chemicals considered to act directly as bona fide DNT toxicants is proposed, and each chemical is annotated to the extent it fulfills these criteria. A tabular compilation of the original literature used to select the test set chemicals provides information on statistical procedures, and toxic/non-toxic doses (both for pups and dams). Suggestions are provided on how to use the >100 compounds (including negative controls) compiled here to address specificity, adversity and use of alternative test systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mardas Daneshian
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing-Europe (CAAT-Europe), University of Konstanz, Germany
| | - Ellen Fritsche
- Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine (IUF), Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Nina Hasiwa
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing-Europe (CAAT-Europe), University of Konstanz, Germany
| | - Thomas Hartung
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing-Europe (CAAT-Europe), University of Konstanz, Germany.,Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Helena T Hogberg
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Marcel Leist
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing-Europe (CAAT-Europe), University of Konstanz, Germany.,In vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Dept inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation at the University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.,Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology (KoRS-CB), Konstanz University
| | - Abby Li
- Exponent Inc.,San Francisco, USA
| | - William R Mundi
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), NHEERL, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Stephanie Padilla
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), NHEERL, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Aldert H Piersma
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.,Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anna Bal-Price
- European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, Ispra, Italy
| | - Andrea Seiler
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Remco H Westerink
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Pamela J Lein
- Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, USA.,Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, USA
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27
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Ohara Y, Koganezawa N, Yamazaki H, Roppongi RT, Sato K, Sekino Y, Shirao T. Early-stage development of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. J Neurosci Res 2015; 93:1804-13. [PMID: 26346430 PMCID: PMC5049656 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2015] [Revised: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 08/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) offer new possibilities for biomedical research and clinical applications. Differentiated neurons from hiPSCs are expected to be useful for developing novel methods of treatment for various neurological diseases. However, the detailed process of functional maturation of hiPSC-derived neurons (hiPS neurons) remains poorly understood. This study analyzes development of hiPS neurons, focusing specifically on early developmental stages through 48 hr after cell seeding; development was compared with that of primary cultured neurons derived from the rat hippocampus. At 5 hr after cell seeding, neurite formation occurs in a similar manner in both neuronal populations. However, very few neurons with axonal polarization were observed in the hiPS neurons even after 48 hr, indicating that hiPS neurons differentiate more slowly than rat neurons. We further investigated the elongation speed of axons and found that hiPS neuronal axons were slower. In addition, we characterized the growth cones. The localization patterns of skeletal proteins F-actin, microtubule, and drebrin were similar to those of rat neurons, and actin depolymerization by cytochalasin D induced similar changes in cytoskeletal distribution in the growth cones between hiPS neurons and rat neurons. These results indicate that, during the very early developmental stage, hiPS neurons develop comparably to rat hippocampal neurons with regard to axonal differentiation, but the growth of axons is slower.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Ohara
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Noriko Koganezawa
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yamazaki
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Reiko T Roppongi
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Kaoru Sato
- Division of Pharmacology, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuko Sekino
- Division of Pharmacology, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Shirao
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
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28
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Chen LH, Sun YT, Chen YF, Lee MY, Chang LY, Chang JY, Shen MR. Integrating Image-Based High-Content Screening with Mouse Models Identifies 5-Hydroxydecanoate as a Neuroprotective Drug for Paclitaxel-Induced Neuropathy. Mol Cancer Ther 2015; 14:2206-14. [DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-15-0268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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29
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Comparative human and rat neurospheres reveal species differences in chemical effects on neurodevelopmental key events. Arch Toxicol 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-015-1568-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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30
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Genskow KR, Bradner JM, Hossain MM, Richardson JR, Caudle WM. Selective damage to dopaminergic transporters following exposure to the brominated flame retardant, HBCDD. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2015; 52:162-9. [PMID: 26073293 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2015.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2015] [Revised: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Over the last several decades, the use of halogenated organic compounds has become the cause of environmental and human health concerns. Of particular notoriety has been the establishment of the neurotoxicity of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The subsequent banning of PBDEs has led to greatly increased use of 1,2,5,6,9,10-hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD, also known as HBCD) as a flame retardant in consumer products. The physiochemical similarities between HBCDD and PBDEs suggest that HBCDD may also be neurotoxic to the dopamine system, which is specifically damaged in Parkinson disease (PD). The purpose of this study was to assess the neurotoxicity of HBCDD on the nigrostriatal dopamine system using an in vitro and in vivo approach. We demonstrate that exposure to HBCDD (0-25 μM) for 24 h causes significant cell death in the SK-N-SH catecholaminergic cell line, as well as reductions in the growth and viability of TH+ primary cultured neurons at lower concentrations (0-10 μM) after 72 h of treatment. Assessment of the in vivo neurotoxicity of HBCDD (25 mg/kg for 30 days) resulted in significant reductions in the expression of the striatal dopamine transporter and vesicular monoamine transporter 2, both of which are integral in mediating dopamine homeostasis and neurotransmission in the dopamine circuit. However, no changes were seen in the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase in the dopamine terminal, or striatal levels of dopamine. To date, these are the first data to demonstrate that exposure to HBCDD disrupts the nigrostriatal dopamine system. Given these results and the ubiquitous nature of HBCDD in the environment, its possible role as an environmental risk factor for PD should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly R Genskow
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322-3090, USA
| | - Joshua M Bradner
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322-3090, USA; Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322-3090, USA
| | - Muhammad M Hossain
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Jason R Richardson
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - W Michael Caudle
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322-3090, USA; Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322-3090, USA.
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31
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Radio NM, Breier JM, Reif DM, Judson RS, Martin M, Houck KA, Mundy WR, Shafer TJ. Use of Neural Models of Proliferation and Neurite Outgrowth to Screen Environmental Chemicals in the ToxCast Phase I Library. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1089/aivt.2014.0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas M. Radio
- Integrated Systems Toxicology Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Joseph M. Breier
- Integrated Systems Toxicology Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - David M. Reif
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Richard S. Judson
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Matthew Martin
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Keith A. Houck
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - William R. Mundy
- Integrated Systems Toxicology Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Timothy J. Shafer
- Integrated Systems Toxicology Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
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32
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Fritsche E, Alm H, Baumann J, Geerts L, Håkansson H, Masjosthusmann S, Witters H. Literature review on in vitro and alternative Developmental Neurotoxicity (DNT) testing methods. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.2903/sp.efsa.2015.en-778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Fritsche
- Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine (IUF), Group of Sphere Models and Risk Assessment, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Henrik Alm
- Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine (IUF), Group of Sphere Models and Risk Assessment, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jenny Baumann
- Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine (IUF), Group of Sphere Models and Risk Assessment, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lieve Geerts
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risk & Health, Boeretang 200, B‐2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Helen Håkansson
- Karolinska Institute (KI), Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Unit of Environmental Health Risk Assessment, SE‐171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stefan Masjosthusmann
- Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine (IUF), Group of Sphere Models and Risk Assessment, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hilda Witters
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risk & Health, Boeretang 200, B‐2400 Mol, Belgium
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Harrill JA, Robinette BL, Freudenrich TM, Mundy WR. Media formulation influences chemical effects on neuronal growth and morphology. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2015; 51:612-29. [PMID: 25678462 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-015-9873-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Screening for developmental neurotoxicity using in vitro, cell-based systems has been proposed as an efficient alternative to performing in vivo studies. One tool currently used for developmental neurotoxicity screening is automated high-content imaging of neuronal morphology. While high-content imaging (HCI) has been demonstrated to be useful in detection of potential developmental neurotoxicants, comparison of results between laboratories or assays can be complicated due to methodological differences. In order to determine whether high-content imaging-based developmental neurotoxicity assays can be affected by differences in media formulation, a systematic comparison of serum-supplemented (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's media (DMEM) + 10% serum) and serum-free (Neurobasal A + B27) culture media on neuronal morphology was performed using primary rat cortical neurons. Concentration-response assays for neuritogenesis, axon and dendrite outgrowth, and synaptogenesis were performed in each media type using chemicals with previously demonstrated effects. Marked qualitative and quantitative differences in the characteristics of neurons cultured in the two media types were observed, with increased neuronal growth and less basal cell death in Neurobasal A + B27. Media formulation also affected assay sensitivity and selectivity. Increases in assay sensitivity were observed in Neurobasal A + B27 media as compared to serum-supplemented DMEM. In some instances, a greater difference between effective concentrations for cell death and neurodevelopmental-specific endpoints was also observed in Neurobasal A + B27 media as compared to serum-supplemented DMEM. These data show that media formulation must be considered when comparing data for similar endpoints between studies. Neuronal culture maintained in Neurobasal A + B27 media had several features advantageous for HCI applications including less basal cell death, less cell clustering and neurite fasciculation, and a tendency towards increased sensitivity and selectivity in chemical concentration-response studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A Harrill
- Integrated Systems Toxicology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), United States Environmental Protection Agency, 109 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA
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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: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [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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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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Bal-Price A, Crofton KM, Sachana M, Shafer TJ, Behl M, Forsby A, Hargreaves A, Landesmann B, Lein PJ, Louisse J, Monnet-Tschudi F, Paini A, Rolaki A, Schrattenholz A, Suñol C, van Thriel C, Whelan M, Fritsche E. Putative adverse outcome pathways relevant to neurotoxicity. Crit Rev Toxicol 2015; 45:83-91. [PMID: 25605028 PMCID: PMC5072123 DOI: 10.3109/10408444.2014.981331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) framework provides a template that facilitates understanding of complex biological systems and the pathways of toxicity that result in adverse outcomes (AOs). The AOP starts with an molecular initiating event (MIE) in which a chemical interacts with a biological target(s), followed by a sequential series of KEs, which are cellular, anatomical, and/or functional changes in biological processes, that ultimately result in an AO manifest in individual organisms and populations. It has been developed as a tool for a knowledge-based safety assessment that relies on understanding mechanisms of toxicity, rather than simply observing its adverse outcome. A large number of cellular and molecular processes are known to be crucial to proper development and function of the central (CNS) and peripheral nervous systems (PNS). However, there are relatively few examples of well-documented pathways that include causally linked MIEs and KEs that result in adverse outcomes in the CNS or PNS. As a first step in applying the AOP framework to adverse health outcomes associated with exposure to exogenous neurotoxic substances, the EU Reference Laboratory for Alternatives to Animal Testing (EURL ECVAM) organized a workshop (March 2013, Ispra, Italy) to identify potential AOPs relevant to neurotoxic and developmental neurotoxic outcomes. Although the AOPs outlined during the workshop are not fully described, they could serve as a basis for further, more detailed AOP development and evaluation that could be useful to support human health risk assessment in a variety of ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bal-Price
- European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, Ispra, Italy
| | - Kevin M. Crofton
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, RTP, USA
| | - Magdalini Sachana
- European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, Ispra, Italy
| | - Timothy J. Shafer
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, RTP, USA
| | - Mamta Behl
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Anna Forsby
- Department of Neurochemistry, the Arrhenius Laboratories for NaturalScience, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden, Swetox, Swedish Toxicology Sciences Research Center, Södertälje, Sweden
| | | | - Brigitte Landesmann
- European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, Ispra, Italy
| | - Pamela J. Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Jochem Louisse
- European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, Ispra, Italy
| | | | - Alicia Paini
- European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, Ispra, Italy
| | - Alexandra Rolaki
- European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, Ispra, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Suñol
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, CIBERESP, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Christoph van Thriel
- IfADo-Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Maurice Whelan
- European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, Ispra, Italy
| | - Ellen Fritsche
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Barbosa DJ, Capela JP, de Lourdes Bastos M, Carvalho F. In vitro models for neurotoxicology research. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2015; 4:801-842. [DOI: 10.1039/c4tx00043a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The nervous system has a highly complex organization, including many cell types with multiple functions, with an intricate anatomy and unique structural and functional characteristics; the study of its (dys)functionality following exposure to xenobiotics, neurotoxicology, constitutes an important issue in neurosciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel José Barbosa
- REQUIMTE (Rede de Química e Tecnologia)
- Laboratório de Toxicologia
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas
- Faculdade de Farmácia
- Universidade do Porto
| | - João Paulo Capela
- REQUIMTE (Rede de Química e Tecnologia)
- Laboratório de Toxicologia
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas
- Faculdade de Farmácia
- Universidade do Porto
| | - Maria de Lourdes Bastos
- REQUIMTE (Rede de Química e Tecnologia)
- Laboratório de Toxicologia
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas
- Faculdade de Farmácia
- Universidade do Porto
| | - Félix Carvalho
- REQUIMTE (Rede de Química e Tecnologia)
- Laboratório de Toxicologia
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas
- Faculdade de Farmácia
- Universidade do Porto
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Baumann J, Dach K, Barenys M, Giersiefer S, Goniwiecha J, Lein PJ, Fritsche E. Application of the Neurosphere Assay for DNT Hazard Assessment: Challenges and Limitations. METHODS IN PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/7653_2015_49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Hausherr V, van Thriel C, Krug A, Leist M, Schöbel N. Impairment of glutamate signaling in mouse central nervous system neurons in vitro by tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate at noncytotoxic concentrations. Toxicol Sci 2014; 142:274-84. [PMID: 25199799 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfu174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Occupational and environmental exposure to tri-cresyl phosphates (TCPs) may cause various types of neurotoxicity. Among the TCP isomers, tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate is a well-studied organophosphate (OP) known to cause OP-induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN). Clinically, OPIDN is characterized by limb paralysis caused by the inhibition of neuropathy target esterase. Like other OPs, TOCP may also trigger acute toxicity by yet unknown mechanisms. Neurotoxic effects of TCPs, including TOCP, on central nervous system functions have not been studied in depth, and such non-OPIDN mechanisms might be related to the aerotoxic syndrome. To identify alternative mechanisms of TOCP neurotoxicity, we conducted an in vitro study using primary cortical neurons isolated from mouse embryos (E 16.5). After 24 h or 6 days in vitro (DIV), cell cultures were treated with different TOCP concentrations for 24 h. On DIV 2 and 7, we investigated three different endpoints--general cytotoxicity, neurite outgrowth, and glutamatergic signaling. At both time points, the EC50 for TOCP-induced cell death was 90 μM, however, neurite outgrowth was already significantly affected at TOCP concentrations of 10 μM. The number of cells responding to glutamate, as well as the corresponding mean response amplitudes were reduced with TOCP concentrations as low as 100 nM. For the first time, functional neurotoxicity is observed with very low TOCP concentrations, and in the absence of structural damages. Our proposed mechanism is that TOCP exposure may lead to cognitive deficits relevant in aerotoxic syndrome by inhibiting the signaling of glutamate, the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Hausherr
- IfADo - Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors, 44139 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Christoph van Thriel
- IfADo - Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors, 44139 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Anne Krug
- Doerenkamp-Zbinden Chair for in vitro toxicology and biomedicine, University of Konstanz, 78462 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Marcel Leist
- Doerenkamp-Zbinden Chair for in vitro toxicology and biomedicine, University of Konstanz, 78462 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Nicole Schöbel
- IfADo - Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors, 44139 Dortmund, Germany Department of Animal Physiology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
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40
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Wilson MS, Graham JR, Ball AJ. Multiparametric High Content Analysis for assessment of neurotoxicity in differentiated neuronal cell lines and human embryonic stem cell-derived neurons. Neurotoxicology 2014; 42:33-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2014.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Revised: 03/12/2014] [Accepted: 03/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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41
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Pizzurro DM, Dao K, Costa LG. Astrocytes protect against diazinon- and diazoxon-induced inhibition of neurite outgrowth by regulating neuronal glutathione. Toxicology 2014; 318:59-68. [PMID: 24561003 PMCID: PMC3999384 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2014.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Revised: 01/17/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Evidence demonstrating that human exposure to various organophosphorus insecticides (OPs) is associated with neurobehavioral deficits in children continues to emerge. The present study focused on diazinon (DZ) and its active oxygen metabolite, diazoxon (DZO), and explored their ability to impair neurite outgrowth in rat primary hippocampal neurons as a mechanism of developmental neurotoxicity. Both DZ and DZO (0.5-10 μM) significantly inhibited neurite outgrowth in hippocampal neurons, at concentrations devoid of any cyototoxicity. These effects appeared to be mediated by oxidative stress, as they were prevented by antioxidants (melatonin, N-t-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone, and glutathione ethyl ester). Inhibition of neurite outgrowth was observed at concentrations below those required to inhibit the catalytic activity of acetylcholinesterase. The presence of astrocytes in the culture was able to provide protection against inhibition of neurite outgrowth by DZ and DZO. Astrocytes increased neuronal glutathione (GSH) in neurons, to levels comparable to those of GSH ethyl ester. Astrocytes depleted of GSH by L-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine no longer conferred protection against DZ- and DZO-induced inhibition of neurite outgrowth. The findings indicate that DZ and DZO inhibit neurite outgrowth in hippocampal neurons by mechanisms involving oxidative stress, and that these effects can be modulated by astrocytes and astrocyte-derived GSH. Oxidative stress from other chemical exposures, as well as genetic abnormalities that result in deficiencies in GSH synthesis and regulation, may render individuals more susceptible to these developmental neurotoxic effects of OPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniella M Pizzurro
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Khoi Dao
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lucio G Costa
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
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42
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Label-free characterization of emerging human neuronal networks. Sci Rep 2014; 4:4434. [PMID: 24658536 PMCID: PMC3963031 DOI: 10.1038/srep04434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergent self-organization of a neuronal network in a developing nervous system is the result of a remarkably orchestrated process involving a multitude of chemical, mechanical and electrical signals. Little is known about the dynamic behavior of a developing network (especially in a human model) primarily due to a lack of practical and non-invasive methods to measure and quantify the process. Here we demonstrate that by using a novel optical interferometric technique, we can non-invasively measure several fundamental properties of neural networks from the sub-cellular to the cell population level. We applied this method to quantify network formation in human stem cell derived neurons and show for the first time, correlations between trends in the growth, transport, and spatial organization of such a system. Quantifying the fundamental behavior of such cell lines without compromising their viability may provide an important new tool in future longitudinal studies.
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43
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Kolaja K. Stem cells and stem cell-derived tissues and their use in safety assessment. J Biol Chem 2013; 289:4555-61. [PMID: 24362027 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.r113.481028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxicology has long relied on animal models in a tedious approach to understanding risk of exposure to an uncharacterized molecule. Stem cell-derived tissues can be made in high purity, quality, and quantity to enable a new approach to this problem. Currently, stem cell-derived tissues are primarily "generic" genetic backgrounds; the future will see the integration of various genetic backgrounds and complex three-dimensional models to create truly unique in vitro organoids. This minireview focuses on the state of the art of a number of stem cell-derived tissues and details their application in toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Kolaja
- From Cellular Dynamics International, Montclair, New Jersey 07042
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44
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Hayess K, Riebeling C, Pirow R, Steinfath M, Sittner D, Slawik B, Luch A, Seiler AEM. The DNT-EST: a predictive embryonic stem cell-based assay for developmental neurotoxicity testing in vitro. Toxicology 2013; 314:135-47. [PMID: 24096155 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2013.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2013] [Revised: 09/20/2013] [Accepted: 09/21/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
As the developing brain is exquisitely vulnerable to chemical disturbances, testing for developmental neurotoxicity of a substance is an important aspect of characterizing its tissue specific toxicity. Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) can be differentiated toward a neural phenotype, and this can be used as a model for early brain development. We developed a new in vitro assay using mESCs to predict adverse effects of chemicals and other compounds on neural development - the so-called DNT-EST. After treatment of differentiating stem cells for 48h or 72h, at two key developmental stages endpoint for neural differentiation, viability, and proliferation were assessed. As a reference, we similarly treated undifferentiated stem cells 2 days after plating for 48h or 72h in parallel to the differentiating stem cells. Here, we show that chemical testing of a training set comprising nine substances (six substances of known developmental toxicity and three without specific developmental neurotoxicity) enabled a mathematical prediction model to be formulated that provided 100% predictivity and accuracy for the given substances, including in leave-one-out cross-validation. The described test method can be performed within two weeks, including data analysis, and provides a prediction of the developmental neurotoxicity potency of a substance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Hayess
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Experimental Toxicology and ZEBET, Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
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45
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miRNA expression profiling in a human stem cell-based model as a tool for developmental neurotoxicity testing. Cell Biol Toxicol 2013; 29:239-57. [PMID: 23903816 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-013-9250-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2013] [Accepted: 06/20/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The main aim of this study was to evaluate whether microRNA (miRNA) profiling could be a useful tool for in vitro developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) testing. Therefore, to identify the possible DNT biomarkers among miRNAs, we have studied the changes in miRNA expressions in a mixed neuronal/glial culture derived from carcinoma pluripotent stem cells (NT2 cell line) after exposure to methyl mercury chloride (MeHgCl) during the process of neuronal differentiation (2-36 days in vitro (DIV1)). The neuronal differentiation triggered by exposure to retinoic acid (RA) was characterized in the control culture by mRNA expression analysis of neuronal specific markers such as MAP2, NF-200, Tubulin βIII, MAPT-tau, synaptophysin as well as excitatory (NMDA, AMPA) and inhibitory (GABA) receptors. The results obtained from the miRNA expression analysis have identified the presence of a miRNA signature which is specific for neural differentiation in the control culture and another for the response to MeHgCl-induced toxicity. In differentiated neuronal control cultures, we observed the downregulation of the stemness phenotype-linked miR-302 cluster and the overexpression of several miRNAs specific for neuronal differentiation (e.g. let-7, miR-125b and miR-132). In the cultures exposed to MeHgCl (400 nM), we observed an overexpression of a signature composed of five miRNAs (miR-302b, miR-367, miR-372, miR-196b and miR-141) that are known to be involved in the regulation of developmental processes and cellular stress response mechanisms. Using gene ontology term and pathway enrichment analysis of the validated targets of the miRNAs deregulated by the toxic treatment, the possible effect of MeHgCl exposure on signalling pathways involved in axon guidance and learning and memory processes was revealed. The obtained data suggest that miRNA profiling could provide simplified functional evaluation of the toxicity pathways involved in developmental neurotoxicity in comparison with the transcriptomics studies.
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Krug AK, Balmer NV, Matt F, Schönenberger F, Merhof D, Leist M. Evaluation of a human neurite growth assay as specific screen for developmental neurotoxicants. Arch Toxicol 2013; 87:2215-31. [PMID: 23670202 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-013-1072-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Organ-specific in vitro toxicity assays are often highly sensitive, but they lack specificity. We evaluated here examples of assay features that can affect test specificity, and some general procedures are suggested on how positive hits in complex biological assays may be defined. Differentiating human LUHMES cells were used as potential model for developmental neurotoxicity testing. Forty candidate toxicants were screened, and several hits were obtained and confirmed. Although the cells had a definitive neuronal phenotype, the use of a general cell death endpoint in these cultures did not allow specific identification of neurotoxicants. As alternative approach, neurite growth was measured as an organ-specific functional endpoint. We found that neurite extension of developing LUHMES was specifically inhibited by diverse compounds such as colchicine, vincristine, narciclasine, rotenone, cycloheximide, or diquat. These compounds reduced neurite growth at concentrations that did not compromise cell viability, and neurite growth was affected more potently than the integrity of developed neurites of mature neurons. A ratio of the EC50 values of neurite growth inhibition and cell death of >4 provided a robust classifier for compounds associated with a developmental neurotoxic hazard. Screening of unspecific toxicants in the test system always yielded ratios <4. The assay identified also compounds that accelerated neurite growth, such as the rho kinase pathway modifiers blebbistatin or thiazovivin. The negative effects of colchicine or rotenone were completely inhibited by a rho kinase inhibitor. In summary, we suggest that assays using functional endpoints (neurite growth) can specifically identify and characterize (developmental) neurotoxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne K Krug
- Doerenkamp-Zbinden Chair for In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstr. 10, Box 657, 78457, Constance, Germany,
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A human pluripotent carcinoma stem cell-based model for in vitro developmental neurotoxicity testing: effects of methylmercury, lead and aluminum evaluated by gene expression studies. Int J Dev Neurosci 2013; 31:679-91. [PMID: 23501475 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2013.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2012] [Revised: 01/24/2013] [Accepted: 03/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The major advantage of the neuronal cell culture models derived from human stem cells is their ability to replicate the crucial stages of neurodevelopment such as the commitment of human stem cells to the neuronal lineage and their subsequent stages of differentiation into neuronal and glial-like cell. In these studies we used mixed neuronal/glial culture derived from the NTERA-2 (NT-2) cell line, which has been established from human pluripotent testicular embryonal carcinoma cells. After characterization of the different stages of cell differentiation into neuronal- and glial-like phenotype toxicity studies were performed to evaluate whether this model would be suitable for developmental neurotoxicity studies. The cells were exposed during the differentiation process to non-cytotoxic concentrations of methylmercury chloride, lead chloride and aluminum nitrate for two weeks. The toxicity was then evaluated by measuring the mRNA levels of cell specific markers (neuronal and glial). The results obtained suggest that lead chloride and aluminum nitrate at low concentrations were toxic primarily to astrocytes and at the higher concentrations it also induced neurotoxicity. In contrast, MetHgCl was toxic for both cell types, neuronal and glial, as mRNA specific for astrocytes and neuronal markers were affected. The results obtained suggest that a neuronal mixed culture derived from human NT2 precursor cells is a suitable model for developmental neurotoxicity studies and gene expression could be used as a sensitive endpoint for initial screening of potential neurotoxic compounds.
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48
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Harrill JA, Robinette BL, Freudenrich T, Mundy WR. Use of high content image analyses to detect chemical-mediated effects on neurite sub-populations in primary rat cortical neurons. Neurotoxicology 2013; 34:61-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2012.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2012] [Revised: 10/10/2012] [Accepted: 10/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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49
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de Groot MWGDM, Westerink RHS, Dingemans MML. Don't judge a neuron only by its cover: neuronal function in in vitro developmental neurotoxicity testing. Toxicol Sci 2012; 132:1-7. [PMID: 22961093 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfs269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Classical cases of developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) in humans and advances in risk assessment methods did not prevent the emergence of new chemicals with (suspected) DNT potential. Exposure to these chemicals may be related to the increased worldwide incidence of learning and neurodevelopmental disorders in children. DNT is often investigated in a traditional manner (in vivo using large numbers of experimental animals), whereas development of in vitro methods for DNT reduces animal use and increases insight into cellular and molecular mechanisms of DNT. Several essential neurodevelopmental processes, including proliferation, migration, differentiation, formation of axons and dendrites, synaptogenesis, and apoptosis, are already being evaluated in vitro using biochemical and morphological endpoints. Yet, investigation of chemical-induced effects on the development of functional neuronal networks, including network formation, inter- and intracellular signaling and neuronal network function, is underrepresented in DNT testing. This view therefore focuses on in vitro models and innovative experimental approaches for functional DNT testing, ranging from optical and electrophysiological measurements of intra- and intercellular signaling in neural stem/progenitor cells to measurements of network activity in neuronal networks using multielectrode arrays. The development of functional DNT assays will strongly support the decision-making process for measures to prevent potential chemical-induced adverse effects on neurodevelopment and cognition in humans. We therefore argue that for risk assessment, biochemical and morphological approaches should be complemented with investigations of neuronal (network) functionality.
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Neurite outgrowth and differentiation of rat cortex progenitor cells are sensitive to lithium chloride at non-cytotoxic exposures. Neurotoxicology 2012; 33:1170-9. [PMID: 22771960 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2012.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2011] [Revised: 06/20/2012] [Accepted: 06/25/2012] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Neuron-specific in vitro screening strategies have the potential to accelerate the evaluation of chemicals for neurotoxicity. We examined neurite outgrowth as a measure of neuronal response with a commercially available rat cortex progenitor cell model, where cells were exposed to a chemical during a period of cell differentiation. In control cultures, the fraction of beta-III-tubulin positive neurons and their neurite length increased significantly with time, indicating differentiation of the progenitor cells. Expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein, an astrocyte marker, also increased significantly with time. By seeding progenitor cells at varying densities, we demonstrated that neurite length was influenced by cell-cell spacing. After ten days, cultures seeded at densities of 1000 cells/mm(2) or lower had significantly shorter neurites than cultures seeded at densities of 1250 cells/mm(2) or higher. Progenitor cells were exposed to lithium, a neuroactive chemical with diverse modes of action. Cultures exposed to 30 mmol/L or 10 mmol/L lithium chloride (LiCl) had significantly lower metabolic activity than control cultures, as reported by adenosine triphosphate content, and no neurons were observed after ten days of exposure. Cultures exposed to 3 mmol/L, 1 mmol/L, or 0.3 mmol/L LiCl, which encompass lithium's therapeutic range, had metabolic activity similar to control cultures. These cultures exhibited concentration-dependent decreases in neurite outgrowth after ten days of LiCl exposure. Neurite outgrowth results were relatively robust, regardless of the evaluation methodology. This work demonstrates that measurement of neurite outgrowth in differentiating progenitor cell cultures can be a sensitive endpoint for neuronal response under non-cytotoxic exposure conditions.
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