1
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Morilla MJ, Ghosal K, Romero EL. Nanomedicines against Chagas disease: a critical review. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 15:333-349. [PMID: 38590427 PMCID: PMC11000002 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.15.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is the most important endemic parasitosis in South America and represents a great socioeconomic burden for the chronically ill and their families. The only currently available treatment against CD is based on the oral administration of benznidazole, an agent, developed in 1971, of controversial effectiveness on chronically ill patients and toxic to adults. So far, conventional pharmacological approaches have failed to offer more effective and less toxic alternatives to benznidazole. Nanomedicines reduce toxicity and increase the effectiveness of current oncological therapies. Could nanomedicines improve the treatment of the neglected CD? This question will be addressed in this review, first by critically discussing selected reports on the performance of benznidazole and other molecules formulated as nanomedicines in in vitro and in vivo CD models. Taking into consideration the developmental barriers for nanomedicines and the degree of current technical preclinical efforts, a prospect of developing nanomedicines against CD will be provided. Not surprisingly, we conclude that structurally simpler formulations with minimal production cost, such as oral nanocrystals and/or parenteral nano-immunostimulants, have the highest chances of making it to the market to treat CD. Nonetheless, substantive political and economic decisions, key to facing technological challenges, are still required regarding a realistic use of nanomedicines effective against CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jose Morilla
- Nanomedicine Research and Development Centre (NARD), Science and Technology Department, National University of Quilmes, Roque Sáenz Peña 352, Bernal, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Kajal Ghosal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, 188, Raja Subodh Chandra Mallick Rd., Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, West Bengal, India
| | - Eder Lilia Romero
- Nanomedicine Research and Development Centre (NARD), Science and Technology Department, National University of Quilmes, Roque Sáenz Peña 352, Bernal, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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2
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Ferronato GDA, Vit FF, da Silveira JC. 3D culture applied to reproduction in females: possibilities and perspectives. Anim Reprod 2024; 21:e20230039. [PMID: 38510565 PMCID: PMC10954237 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2023-0039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
In vitro cell culture is a well-established technique present in numerous laboratories in diverse areas. In reproduction, gametes, embryos, and reproductive tissues, such as the ovary and endometrium, can be cultured. These cultures are essential for embryo development studies, understanding signaling pathways, developing drugs for reproductive diseases, and in vitro embryo production (IVP). Although many culture systems are successful, they still have limitations to overcome. Three-dimensional (3D) culture systems can be close to physiological conditions, allowing greater interaction between cells and cells with the surrounding environment, maintenance of the cells' natural morphology, and expression of genes and proteins such as in vivo. Additionally, three-dimensional culture systems can stimulated extracellular matrix generating responses due to the mechanical force produced. Different techniques can be used to perform 3D culture systems, such as hydrogel matrix, hanging drop, low attachment surface, scaffold, levitation, liquid marble, and 3D printing. These systems demonstrate satisfactory results in follicle culture, allowing the culture from the pre-antral to antral phase, maintaining the follicular morphology, and increasing the development rates of embryos. Here, we review some of the different techniques of 3D culture systems and their applications to the culture of follicles and embryos, bringing new possibilities to the future of assisted reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Franciele Flores Vit
- Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil
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3
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Poulsen R, Zekri Y, Guyot R, Flamant F, Hansen M. Effect of in utero and lactational exposure to a thyroid hormone system disrupting chemical on mouse metabolome and brain transcriptome. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 340:122783. [PMID: 37866749 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Mice were exposed to a low dose of the model thyroid hormone disruptor, propylthiouracil. Although this had only a modest effect on maternal thyroid hormones production, postnatal analysis of the pups' plasma by mass spectrometry and the brain striatum by RNA sequencing gave evidence of low lasting changes that could reflect an adverse effect on neurodevelopment. Overall, these methods proved to be sensitive enough to detect minor disruptions of thyroid hormone signalling in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rikke Poulsen
- Aarhus University, Department of Environmental Science, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Yanis Zekri
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, CNRS, UMR 5242, INRAE USC 1370 Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon 46 allée d'Italie, 69364, Lyon, France
| | - Romain Guyot
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, CNRS, UMR 5242, INRAE USC 1370 Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon 46 allée d'Italie, 69364, Lyon, France
| | - Frédéric Flamant
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, CNRS, UMR 5242, INRAE USC 1370 Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon 46 allée d'Italie, 69364, Lyon, France
| | - Martin Hansen
- Aarhus University, Department of Environmental Science, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
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4
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Schmeisser S, Miccoli A, von Bergen M, Berggren E, Braeuning A, Busch W, Desaintes C, Gourmelon A, Grafström R, Harrill J, Hartung T, Herzler M, Kass GEN, Kleinstreuer N, Leist M, Luijten M, Marx-Stoelting P, Poetz O, van Ravenzwaay B, Roggeband R, Rogiers V, Roth A, Sanders P, Thomas RS, Marie Vinggaard A, Vinken M, van de Water B, Luch A, Tralau T. New approach methodologies in human regulatory toxicology - Not if, but how and when! ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 178:108082. [PMID: 37422975 PMCID: PMC10858683 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The predominantly animal-centric approach of chemical safety assessment has increasingly come under pressure. Society is questioning overall performance, sustainability, continued relevance for human health risk assessment and ethics of this system, demanding a change of paradigm. At the same time, the scientific toolbox used for risk assessment is continuously enriched by the development of "New Approach Methodologies" (NAMs). While this term does not define the age or the state of readiness of the innovation, it covers a wide range of methods, including quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) predictions, high-throughput screening (HTS) bioassays, omics applications, cell cultures, organoids, microphysiological systems (MPS), machine learning models and artificial intelligence (AI). In addition to promising faster and more efficient toxicity testing, NAMs have the potential to fundamentally transform today's regulatory work by allowing more human-relevant decision-making in terms of both hazard and exposure assessment. Yet, several obstacles hamper a broader application of NAMs in current regulatory risk assessment. Constraints in addressing repeated-dose toxicity, with particular reference to the chronic toxicity, and hesitance from relevant stakeholders, are major challenges for the implementation of NAMs in a broader context. Moreover, issues regarding predictivity, reproducibility and quantification need to be addressed and regulatory and legislative frameworks need to be adapted to NAMs. The conceptual perspective presented here has its focus on hazard assessment and is grounded on the main findings and conclusions from a symposium and workshop held in Berlin in November 2021. It intends to provide further insights into how NAMs can be gradually integrated into chemical risk assessment aimed at protection of human health, until eventually the current paradigm is replaced by an animal-free "Next Generation Risk Assessment" (NGRA).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Miccoli
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany; National Research Council, Ancona, Italy
| | - Martin von Bergen
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany; German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; University of Leipzig, Faculty of Life Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Albert Braeuning
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Wibke Busch
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christian Desaintes
- European Commission (EC), Directorate General for Research and Innovation (RTD), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anne Gourmelon
- Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Environment Directorate, Paris, France
| | | | - Joshua Harrill
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Durham, USA
| | - Thomas Hartung
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Baltimore MD USA, CAAT-Europe, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Matthias Herzler
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Nicole Kleinstreuer
- NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Durham, USA
| | - Marcel Leist
- CAAT‑Europe and Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Mirjam Luijten
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | | | - Oliver Poetz
- NMI Natural and Medical Science Institute at the University of Tuebingen, Reutlingen, Germany; SIGNATOPE GmbH, Reutlingen, Germany
| | | | - Rob Roggeband
- European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA), Procter and Gamble Services Company NV/SA, Strombeek-Bever, Belgium
| | - Vera Rogiers
- Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Adrian Roth
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Sanders
- Fougeres Laboratory, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Fougères, France France
| | - Russell S Thomas
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Durham, USA
| | | | | | | | - Andreas Luch
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Tewes Tralau
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
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5
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Tosca EM, Ronchi D, Facciolo D, Magni P. Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement of Animal Experiments in Anticancer Drug Development: The Contribution of 3D In Vitro Cancer Models in the Drug Efficacy Assessment. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041058. [PMID: 37189676 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last decades three-dimensional (3D) in vitro cancer models have been proposed as a bridge between bidimensional (2D) cell cultures and in vivo animal models, the gold standards in the preclinical assessment of anticancer drug efficacy. 3D in vitro cancer models can be generated through a multitude of techniques, from both immortalized cancer cell lines and primary patient-derived tumor tissue. Among them, spheroids and organoids represent the most versatile and promising models, as they faithfully recapitulate the complexity and heterogeneity of human cancers. Although their recent applications include drug screening programs and personalized medicine, 3D in vitro cancer models have not yet been established as preclinical tools for studying anticancer drug efficacy and supporting preclinical-to-clinical translation, which remains mainly based on animal experimentation. In this review, we describe the state-of-the-art of 3D in vitro cancer models for the efficacy evaluation of anticancer agents, focusing on their potential contribution to replace, reduce and refine animal experimentations, highlighting their strength and weakness, and discussing possible perspectives to overcome current challenges.
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6
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Cattaneo I, Astuto MC, Binaglia M, Devos Y, Dorne JLCM, Ana FA, Fernandez DA, Garcia-Vello P, Kass GE, Lanzoni A, Liem AKD, Panzarea M, Paraskevopulos K, Parra Morte JM, Tarazona JV, Terron A. Implementing New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in food safety assessments: Strategic objectives and actions taken by the European Food Safety Authority. Trends Food Sci Technol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2023.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
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7
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Schueler J, Borenstein J, Buti L, Dong M, Masmoudi F, Hribar K, Anderson E, Sommergruber W. How to build a tumor: An industry perspective. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:103329. [PMID: 35908685 PMCID: PMC9585375 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
During the past 15 years, a plethora of innovative 3D in vitro systems has been developed. They offer the possibility of identifying crucial cellular and molecular contributors to the disease by permitting manipulation of each in isolation. However, improvements are needed particularly with respect to the predictivity and validity of those models. The major challenge now is to identify which assay and readout combination(s) best suits the current scientific question(s). A deep understanding of the different platforms along with their pros and cons is a prerequisite to make this decision. This review aims to give an overview of the most prominent systems with a focus on applications, translational relevance and adoption drivers from an industry perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Schueler
- Charles River Discovery Research Services Germany GmbH, Freiburg, Germany,Corresponding author.
| | | | | | - Meng Dong
- Dr Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and University of Tuebingen, Stuttgart, Germany
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8
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Mihelakis M, Ndikung J, Oelgeschläger M, Ertych N. The 4th dimension of in vitro systems - Time to level up. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 164:107256. [PMID: 35472563 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Various in vitro model systems have been established over the last decades to understand physiological processes, the causalities of diseases and the response of humans to environmental and industrial chemicals or therapeutic drugs. Common to all is a limited biological significance due to the impairment of functionality, for instance by the lack of physiological 3D tissue architecture or the loss of fundamental regulatory mechanisms including the circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is an adaption of living organisms to rhythmic environmental changes of the day-night cycle and coordinates behavior as well as various crucial physiological processes in a 24-hour pattern. Here, we discuss the impact of integrating circadian regulation in experimental approaches and toxicological assessments to improve the biological relevance of the obtained results. In particular, it is known for some time that an ongoing disruption of the circadian rhythmicity is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction or cancer. In the context of health recovery, the importance of circadian control mechanism is recognized by chronopharmacological concepts to increase the efficiency of pharmacological treatment strategies. Despite the undeniable circadian dependency and the biological relevance of manifold cellular and molecular processes, the impact of circadian regulation is hardly considered in a wide range of biomedical and toxicological research areas. Reactivating the circadian regulation holds the promise to enhance the biological relevance and reliability of in vitro approaches. In the context of human health protection the implementation of a circadian regulation will subsequently generate advanced physiologically relevant in vitro approaches and allows an improved toxicological assessment of health risks. In addition, the establishment of circadian disruption as a novel toxicological endpoint will provide a better understanding of toxicological mode of actions of environmental and industrial chemicals or drugs and enlarge the knowledge of disease development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Mihelakis
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Diedersdorfer Weg 1, 12277 Berlin, Germany
| | - Johanna Ndikung
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Diedersdorfer Weg 1, 12277 Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Oelgeschläger
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Diedersdorfer Weg 1, 12277 Berlin, Germany
| | - Norman Ertych
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Diedersdorfer Weg 1, 12277 Berlin, Germany.
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9
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Schneider MR, Oelgeschlaeger M, Burgdorf T, van Meer P, Theunissen P, Kienhuis AS, Piersma AH, Vandebriel RJ. Applicability of organ-on-chip systems in toxicology and pharmacology. Crit Rev Toxicol 2021; 51:540-554. [PMID: 34463591 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2021.1953439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Organ-on-chip (OoC) systems are microfabricated cell culture devices designed to model functional units of human organs by harboring an in vitro generated organ surrogate. In the present study, we reviewed issues and opportunities related to the application of OoC in the safety and efficacy assessment of chemicals and pharmaceuticals, as well as the steps needed to achieve this goal. The relative complexity of OoC over simple in vitro assays provides advantages and disadvantages in the context of compound testing. The broader biological domain of OoC potentially enhances their predictive value, whereas their complexity present issues with throughput, standardization and transferability. Using OoCs for regulatory purposes requires detailed and standardized protocols, providing reproducible results in an interlaboratory setting. The extent to which interlaboratory standardization of OoC is feasible and necessary for regulatory application is a matter of debate. The focus of applying OoCs in safety assessment is currently directed to characterization (the biology represented in the test) and qualification (the performance of the test). To this aim, OoCs are evaluated on a limited scale, especially in the pharmaceutical industry, with restricted sets of reference substances. Given the low throughput of OoC, it is questionable whether formal validation, in which many reference substances are extensively tested in different laboratories, is feasible for OoCs. Rather, initiatives such as open technology platforms, and collaboration between OoC developers and risk assessors may prove an expedient strategy to build confidence in OoCs for application in safety and efficacy assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlon R Schneider
- German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Oelgeschlaeger
- German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Tanja Burgdorf
- German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter van Meer
- Section on Pharmacology, Toxicology and Kinetics, Medicines Evaluation Board, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Theunissen
- Section on Pharmacology, Toxicology and Kinetics, Medicines Evaluation Board, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anne S Kienhuis
- Laboratory for Health Protection, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Aldert H Piersma
- Laboratory for Health Protection, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Rob J Vandebriel
- Laboratory for Health Protection, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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10
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Hoffmann S, Marigliani B, Akgün-Ölmez SG, Ireland D, Cruz R, Busquet F, Flick B, Lalu M, Ghandakly EC, de Vries RBM, Witters H, Wright RA, Ölmez M, Willett C, Hartung T, Stephens ML, Tsaioun K. A Systematic Review to Compare Chemical Hazard Predictions of the Zebrafish Embryotoxicity Test With Mammalian Prenatal Developmental Toxicity. Toxicol Sci 2021; 183:14-35. [PMID: 34109416 PMCID: PMC8404989 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfab072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Originally developed to inform the acute toxicity of chemicals on fish, the zebrafish embryotoxicity test (ZET) has also been proposed for assessing the prenatal developmental toxicity of chemicals, potentially replacing mammalian studies. Although extensively evaluated in primary studies, a comprehensive review summarizing the available evidence for the ZET's capacity is lacking. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of how well the presence or absence of exposure-related findings in the ZET predicts prenatal development toxicity in studies with rats and rabbits. A two-tiered systematic review of the developmental toxicity literature was performed, a review of the ZET literature was followed by one of the mammalian literature. Data were extracted using DistillerSR, and study validity was assessed with an amended SYRCLE's risk-of-bias tool. Extracted data were analyzed for each species and substance, which provided the basis for comparing the 2 test methods. Although limited by the number of 24 included chemicals, our results suggest that the ZET has potential to identify chemicals that are mammalian prenatal developmental toxicants, with a tendency for overprediction. Furthermore, our analysis confirmed the need for further standardization of the ZET. In addition, we identified contextual and methodological challenges in the application of systematic review approaches to toxicological questions. One key to overcoming these challenges is a transition to more comprehensive and transparent planning, conduct and reporting of toxicological studies. The first step toward bringing about this change is to create broad awareness in the toxicological community of the need for and benefits of more evidence-based approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Hoffmann
- Evidence-Based Toxicology Collaboration (EBTC), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
- seh consulting + services, 33106 Paderborn, Germany
| | - Bianca Marigliani
- Department of Science and Technology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São José dos Campos, 12231-280 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sevcan Gül Akgün-Ölmez
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Istanbul, 34722, Turkey
| | - Danielle Ireland
- Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081, USA
| | - Rebecca Cruz
- Laboratory of Dental Clinical Research, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, 20520-040 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Burkhard Flick
- Experimental Toxicology and Ecology, BASF SE, 67063 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Manoj Lalu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, K1H 8L6 Ontario, Canada
| | - Elizabeth C Ghandakly
- Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Rob B M de Vries
- Evidence-Based Toxicology Collaboration (EBTC), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
- Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Experimentation (SYRCLE), Department for Health Evidence, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, 6500HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Robert A Wright
- William H. Welch Medical Library, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Metin Ölmez
- Umraniye Family Health Center (No. 44), Turkish Ministry of Health, 34760 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Catherine Willett
- Humane Society International, Washington, 20037 District of Columbia, USA
| | - Thomas Hartung
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Martin L Stephens
- Evidence-Based Toxicology Collaboration (EBTC), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Katya Tsaioun
- Evidence-Based Toxicology Collaboration (EBTC), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
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11
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Subramanian N, Palaniappan A. NanoTox: Development of a Parsimonious In Silico Model for Toxicity Assessment of Metal-Oxide Nanoparticles Using Physicochemical Features. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:11729-11739. [PMID: 34056326 PMCID: PMC8154018 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c01076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Metal-oxide nanoparticles find widespread applications in mundane life today, and cost-effective evaluation of their cytotoxicity and ecotoxicity is essential for sustainable progress. Machine learning models use existing experimental data and learn quantitative feature-toxicity relationships to yield predictive models. In this work, we adopted a principled approach to this problem by formulating a novel feature space based on intrinsic and extrinsic physicochemical properties, including periodic table properties but exclusive of in vitro characteristics such as cell line, cell type, and assay method. An optimal hypothesis space was developed by applying variance inflation analysis to the correlation structure of the features. Consequent to a stratified train-test split, the training dataset was balanced for the toxic outcomes and a mapping was then achieved from the normalized feature space to the toxicity class using various hyperparameter-tuned machine learning models, namely, logistic regression, random forest, support vector machines, and neural networks. Evaluation on an unseen test set yielded >96% balanced accuracy for the random forest, and neural network with one-hidden-layer models. The obtained cytotoxicity models are parsimonious, with intelligible inputs, and an embedded applicability check. Interpretability investigations of the models identified the key predictor variables of metal-oxide nanoparticle cytotoxicity. Our models could be applied on new, untested oxides, using a majority-voting ensemble classifier, NanoTox, that incorporates the best of the above models. NanoTox is the first open-source nanotoxicology pipeline, freely available under the GNU General Public License (https://github.com/NanoTox).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilesh
Anantha Subramanian
- Department
of Medical Nanotechnology and Department of Bioinformatics, School of Chemical and BioTechnology, SASTRA Deemed
University, Thanjavur 613401, India
| | - Ashok Palaniappan
- Department
of Medical Nanotechnology and Department of Bioinformatics, School of Chemical and BioTechnology, SASTRA Deemed
University, Thanjavur 613401, India
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12
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Lee J, Jeong JS, Kim W, Kim SY, Lee SJ, Baek SK, Lee JH, Jeong EJ, Nam SY, Yu WJ. Serial blood sampling effects in rat embryo-fetal development studies for toxicokinetics. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2021; 123:104930. [PMID: 33891998 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2021.104930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Serial blood sampling for toxicokinetics is generally conducted in regulatory embryo-fetal development (EFD) studies in rats. EFD studies are designed to detect the potential adverse effects of pharmaceuticals on pregnant females and their fetuses; this information is useful for understanding the relationships between systemic exposure levels and toxicity profiles. However, additional satellite pregnant females are needed for toxicokinetics because comprehensive information regarding the potential impact of serial blood sampling on pregnant females is scarce. Here, in this study, we investigated the potential impact of serial blood sampling in pregnant female rats using a typical EFD study design. Additionally, we investigated the additional endpoints (clinical pathology, organ weights, and histopathology) that were deemed likely to be sensitive to blood sampling. Results indicated that serial blood sampling in pregnant females induced physiological adaptive changes and did not affect the general endpoints in EFD studies. Nevertheless, inclusion of satellite groups in EFD studies may be a more prudent approach considering the physiological changes in pregnant females and potential off-target effects of candidate pharmaceuticals. These results provide background information on the impact of serial blood sampling in pregnant females and will be useful to design the regulatory EFD studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsoo Lee
- Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Research Group, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea; College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Seong Jeong
- Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Research Group, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Woojin Kim
- Toxicological Pathology Research Group, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Yun Kim
- Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Research Group, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Jin Lee
- Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Research Group, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Ki Baek
- Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Research Group, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Hwan Lee
- Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Research Group, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Ju Jeong
- Chemical Risk Assessment Research Committee, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Yoon Nam
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Wook-Joon Yu
- Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Research Group, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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Patterson EA, Whelan MP, Worth AP. The role of validation in establishing the scientific credibility of predictive toxicology approaches intended for regulatory application. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 17:100144. [PMID: 33681540 PMCID: PMC7903516 DOI: 10.1016/j.comtox.2020.100144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The role of validation in establishing the credibility of predictive methods is discussed. Various assessment frameworks for predictive methods have evolved independently, being developed by different communities. A set of seven credibility factors is proposed as a method-agnostic means of comparing the various assessment frameworks. It is hoped this will facilitate communication and cross-disciplinary collaboration between method developers and users.
New approaches in toxicology based on in vitro methods and computational modelling offer considerable potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of chemical hazard and risk assessment in a variety of regulatory contexts. However, this presents challenges both for developers and regulatory assessors because often these two communities do not share the same level of confidence in a new approach. To address this challenge, various assessment frameworks have been developed over the past 20 years with the aim of creating harmonised and systematic approaches for evaluating new methods. These frameworks typically focus on specific methodologies and technologies, which has proven useful for establishing the validity and credibility of individual methods. However, given the increasing need to compare methods and combine their use in integrated assessment strategies, the multiplicity of frameworks is arguably becoming a barrier to their acceptance. In this commentary, we explore the concepts of model validity and credibility, and we illustrate how a set of seven credibility factors provides a method-agnostic means of comparing different kinds of predictive toxicology approaches. It is hoped that this will facilitate communication and cross-disciplinarity among method developers and users, with the ultimate aim of increasing the acceptance and use of predictive approaches in toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andrew P Worth
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
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14
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A call for action on the development and implementation of new methodologies for safety assessment of chemical-based products in the EU – A short communication. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2021; 119:104837. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2020.104837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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15
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van der Ven LTM, Schoonen WG, Groot RM, den Ouden F, Heusinkveld HJ, Zwart EP, Hodemaekers HM, Rorije E, de Knecht J. The effects of aliphatic alcohols and related acid metabolites in zebrafish embryos - correlations with rat developmental toxicity and with effects in advanced life stages in fish. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 407:115249. [PMID: 32979392 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115249] [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: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The zebrafish embryo toxicity test (ZFET) is a simple medium-throughput test to inform about (sub)acute lethal effects in embryos. Enhanced analysis through morphological and teratological scoring, and through gene expression analysis, detects developmental effects and the underlying toxicological pathways. Altogether, the ZFET may inform about hazard of chemical exposure for embryonal development in humans, as well as for lethal effects in juvenile and adult fish. In this study, we compared the effects within a series of 12 aliphatic alcohols and related carboxylic acid derivatives (ethanol, acetic acid, 2-methoxyethanol, 2-methoxyacetic acid, 2-butoxyethanol, 2-butoxyacetic acid, 2-hydroxyacetic acid, 2-ethylhexan-1-ol, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, valproic acid, 2-aminoethanol, 2-(2-hydroxyethylamino)ethanol) in ZFET and early life stage (ELS, 28d) exposures, and compared ZFET results with existing results of rat developmental studies and LC50s in adult fish. High correlation scores were observed between compound potencies in ZFET with either ELS, LC50 in fish and developmental toxicity in rats, indicating similar potency ranking among the models. Compounds could be mapped to specific pathways in an adverse outcome pathway (AOP) network through morphological scoring and gene expression analysis in ZFET. Similarity of morphological effects and gene expression profiles in pairs of alcohols with their acid metabolites suggested metabolic activation of the parent alcohols, although with additional, metabolite-independent activity independent for ethanol and 2-ethylhexanol. Overall, phenotypical and gene expression analysis with these compounds indicates that the ZFET can potentially contribute to the AOP for developmental effects in rodents, and to predict toxicity of acute and chronic exposure in advanced life stages in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leo T M van der Ven
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Willem G Schoonen
- Centre for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Renate M Groot
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Fatima den Ouden
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Harm J Heusinkveld
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Edwin P Zwart
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Hennie M Hodemaekers
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Emiel Rorije
- Centre for Safety of Substances and Products, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Joop de Knecht
- Centre for Safety of Substances and Products, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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16
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Heusinkveld HJ, Staal YCM, Baker NC, Daston G, Knudsen TB, Piersma A. An ontology for developmental processes and toxicities of neural tube closure. Reprod Toxicol 2020; 99:160-167. [PMID: 32926990 PMCID: PMC10083840 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the development and implementation of animal-free approaches to chemical and pharmaceutical hazard and risk assessment has taken off. Alternative approaches are being developed starting from the perspective of human biology and physiology. Neural tube closure is a vital step that occurs early in human development. Correct closure of the neural tube depends on a complex interplay between proteins along a number of protein concentration gradients. The sensitivity of neural tube closure to chemical disturbance of signalling pathways such as the retinoid pathway, is well known. To map the pathways underlying neural tube closure, literature data on the molecular regulation of neural tube closure were collected. As the process of neural tube closure is highly conserved in vertebrates, the extensive literature available for the mouse was used whilst considering its relevance for humans. Thus, important cell compartments, regulatory pathways, and protein interactions essential for neural tube closure under physiological circumstances were identified and mapped. An understanding of aberrant processes leading to neural tube defects (NTDs) requires detailed maps of neural tube embryology, including the complex genetic signals and responses underlying critical cellular dynamical and biomechanical processes. The retinoid signaling pathway serves as a case study for this ontology because of well-defined crosstalk with the genetic control of neural tube patterning and morphogenesis. It is a known target for mechanistically-diverse chemical structures that disrupt neural tube closure The data presented in this manuscript will set the stage for constructing mathematical models and computer simulation of neural tube closure for human-relevant AOPs and predictive toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harm J Heusinkveld
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Yvonne C M Staal
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | | | - George Daston
- Global Product Stewardship, The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Thomas B Knudsen
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park NC 27711, USA
| | - Aldert Piersma
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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17
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Kolle SN, Landsiedel R, Natsch A. Replacing the refinement for skin sensitization testing: Considerations to the implementation of adverse outcome pathway (AOP)-based defined approaches (DA) in OECD guidelines. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2020; 115:104713. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2020.104713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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18
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Furxhi I, Murphy F. Predicting In Vitro Neurotoxicity Induced by Nanoparticles Using Machine Learning. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5280. [PMID: 32722414 PMCID: PMC7432486 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The practice of non-testing approaches in nanoparticles hazard assessment is necessary to identify and classify potential risks in a cost effective and timely manner. Machine learning techniques have been applied in the field of nanotoxicology with encouraging results. A neurotoxicity classification model for diverse nanoparticles is presented in this study. A data set created from multiple literature sources consisting of nanoparticles physicochemical properties, exposure conditions and in vitro characteristics is compiled to predict cell viability. Pre-processing techniques were applied such as normalization methods and two supervised instance methods, a synthetic minority over-sampling technique to address biased predictions and production of subsamples via bootstrapping. The classification model was developed using random forest and goodness-of-fit with additional robustness and predictability metrics were used to evaluate the performance. Information gain analysis identified the exposure dose and duration, toxicological assay, cell type, and zeta potential as the five most important attributes to predict neurotoxicity in vitro. This is the first tissue-specific machine learning tool for neurotoxicity prediction caused by nanoparticles in in vitro systems. The model performs better than non-tissue specific models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irini Furxhi
- Transgero Limited, V42V384 Newcastle, Limerick, Ireland;
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19
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Romeo D, Salieri B, Hischier R, Nowack B, Wick P. An integrated pathway based on in vitro data for the human hazard assessment of nanomaterials. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 137:105505. [PMID: 32014789 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
In line with the 3R concept, nanotoxicology is shifting from a phenomenological to a mechanistic approach based on in vitro and in silico methods, with a consequent reduction in animal testing. Risk Assessment (RA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies, which traditionally rely on in vivo toxicity studies, will not be able to keep up with the pace of development of new nanomaterials unless they adapt to use this new type of data. While tools and models are already available and show a great potential for future use in RA and LCA, currently none is able alone to quantitatively assess human hazards (i.e. calculate chronic NOAEL or ED50 values). By highlighting which models and approaches can be used in a quantitative way with the available knowledge and data, we propose an integrated pathway for the use of in vitro data in RA and LCA. Starting with the characterization of nanoparticles' properties, the pathway then investigates how to select relevant in vitro human data, and how to bridge in vitro dose-response relationships to in vivo effects. If verified, this approach would allow RA and LCA to stir up the development of nanotoxicology by giving indications about the data and quality requirements needed in risk methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daina Romeo
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Particles-Biology Interactions Laboratory, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland.
| | - Beatrice Salieri
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Technology and Society Laboratory, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland.
| | - Roland Hischier
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Technology and Society Laboratory, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland.
| | - Bernd Nowack
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Technology and Society Laboratory, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland.
| | - Peter Wick
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Particles-Biology Interactions Laboratory, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland.
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Strategies in genotoxicology: Acceptance of innovative scientific methods in a regulatory context and from an industrial perspective. MUTATION RESEARCH-GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2020; 853:503171. [PMID: 32522346 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2020.503171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The tests used and the general principles behind test strategies are now often over 30 years old. It may be time by now, given that our knowledge of genetic toxicology has improved and that we also technically are better able to investigate DNA damage making use of modern molecular biological techniques, to start thinking on a new test strategy. In the present paper, it is discussed that the time is there to consider a new approach for genotoxicity assessment of substances. A fit for all test strategy was discussed making use of the most recent technological methods and techniques. It was also indicated that in silico tools should be more accepted by regulatory institutes/bodies as supporting information to better conclude which tests should be required for each separate substance to demonstrate its genotoxic potency. Next to that there should be a good rationale for performing in vivo studies. Finally, the need for germ cell genotoxicity testing, essential when classification and labeling of substances is mandatory, was discussed. It was suggested to change the GHS for genotoxicity classification and labelling from in vivo tests in germ cells into in vivo tests in somatic cells. Quantitative genotoxicology was also discussed. It appeared that we are currently at a transition, where the science developing to justify carrying out human health risk assessments based on genetic toxicology data sets supported by mechanistic data and exposure data. However, implementation will take time, and acceptance will be supported through the development of numerous case studies. Major remaining questions are: is genetic damage a relevant endpoint in itself, or should the risk assessment be carried out on the apical endpoint of cancer and which genotoxic endpoint should be used to derive the point of departure (PoD) for the human exposure limit?
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21
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Furxhi I, Murphy F, Mullins M, Arvanitis A, Poland CA. Nanotoxicology data for in silico tools: a literature review. Nanotoxicology 2020; 14:612-637. [PMID: 32100604 DOI: 10.1080/17435390.2020.1729439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The exercise of non-testing approaches in nanoparticles (NPs) hazard assessment is necessary for the risk assessment, considering cost and time efficiency, to identify, assess, and classify potential risks. One strategy for investigating the toxicological properties of a variety of NPs is by means of computational tools that decode how nano-specific features relate to toxicity and enable its prediction. This literature review records systematically the data used in published studies that predict nano (eco)-toxicological endpoints using machine learning models. Instead of seeking mechanistic interpretations this review maps the pathways followed, involving biological features in relation to NPs exposure, their physico-chemical characteristics and the most commonly predicted outcomes. The results, derived from published research of the last decade, are summarized visually, providing prior-based data mining paradigms to be readily used by the nanotoxicology community in computational studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irini Furxhi
- Department of Accounting and Finance, Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Finbarr Murphy
- Department of Accounting and Finance, Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Martin Mullins
- Department of Accounting and Finance, Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Athanasios Arvanitis
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Informatics Research Group, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Craig A Poland
- ELEGI/Colt Laboratory, Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
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22
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Furxhi I, Murphy F, Mullins M, Arvanitis A, Poland CA. Practices and Trends of Machine Learning Application in Nanotoxicology. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 10:E116. [PMID: 31936210 PMCID: PMC7023261 DOI: 10.3390/nano10010116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Machine Learning (ML) techniques have been applied in the field of nanotoxicology with very encouraging results. Adverse effects of nanoforms are affected by multiple features described by theoretical descriptors, nano-specific measured properties, and experimental conditions. ML has been proven very helpful in this field in order to gain an insight into features effecting toxicity, predicting possible adverse effects as part of proactive risk analysis, and informing safe design. At this juncture, it is important to document and categorize the work that has been carried out. This study investigates and bookmarks ML methodologies used to predict nano (eco)-toxicological outcomes in nanotoxicology during the last decade. It provides a review of the sequenced steps involved in implementing an ML model, from data pre-processing, to model implementation, model validation, and applicability domain. The review gathers and presents the step-wise information on techniques and procedures of existing models that can be used readily to assemble new nanotoxicological in silico studies and accelerates the regulation of in silico tools in nanotoxicology. ML applications in nanotoxicology comprise an active and diverse collection of ongoing efforts, although it is still in their early steps toward a scientific accord, subsequent guidelines, and regulation adoption. This study is an important bookend to a decade of ML applications to nanotoxicology and serves as a useful guide to further in silico applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irini Furxhi
- Department of Accounting and Finance, Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick, V94PH93 Limerick, Ireland; (F.M.); (M.M.)
- Transgero Limited, Newcastle, V42V384 Limerick, Ireland
| | - Finbarr Murphy
- Department of Accounting and Finance, Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick, V94PH93 Limerick, Ireland; (F.M.); (M.M.)
- Transgero Limited, Newcastle, V42V384 Limerick, Ireland
| | - Martin Mullins
- Department of Accounting and Finance, Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick, V94PH93 Limerick, Ireland; (F.M.); (M.M.)
- Transgero Limited, Newcastle, V42V384 Limerick, Ireland
| | - Athanasios Arvanitis
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Informatics Research Group, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki Box 483, Greece;
| | - Craig A. Poland
- ELEGI/Colt Laboratory, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, Scotland, UK;
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23
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Ndikung J, Storm D, Violet N, Kramer A, Schönfelder G, Ertych N, Oelgeschläger M. Restoring circadian synchrony in vitro facilitates physiological responses to environmental chemicals. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 134:105265. [PMID: 31734582 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The growing requirement of hazard and risk assessment of environmental chemicals and the efforts to minimize animal testing, increases the demand for innovative and predictive in vitro test systems in toxicology, reflecting the physiological conditions of human nature. Here, an elemental factor regulating a variety of physiological processes is the day-night rhythm. This circadian rhythm, describing a biological oscillation with a 24-h period is hardly acknowledged in toxicology and test method development. Whilst, in animals or humans the entire organism exhibits a rigorous cellular circadian synchrony, in conventional in vitro systems each cell follows its own rhythm, due to the absence of appropriate synchronizing signals. OBJECTIVE Here we investigated whether circadian synchronization of human cells in an in vitro system improves the cellular response and, thus, increases the sensitivity of the test system. Since the circadian regulation of metabolism is particularly well understood, and dioxin and dioxin-like compounds are of major concern for environmental health we focused on the ubiquitous drug metabolizing detoxification system mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). METHODS To this end, we applied various prototypical AHR activators onto different human cell lines under non-synchronized or circadian synchronized conditions and determined the dose response on representative endogenous target genes. RESULTS Remarkably, the cellular response dynamic upon chemical treatment was substantially enhanced in circadian synchronized cells and followed a rhythmic expression pattern. This broader dynamic range was associated with a strikingly higher induction of AHR target genes and the corresponding enzymatic activity, thereby rather mimicking the in vivo situation. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that a synchronized circadian rhythm in a cell culture based test system can improve the physiological relevance of an appropriate in vitro method by reflecting the biological in vivo situation more closely. Accordingly, it is a promising tool to facilitate the wide acceptance of in vitro methods in the field of regulatory toxicology and to further optimize the toxicological assessment of environmental chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Ndikung
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Diedersdorfer Weg 1, 12277 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dorothe Storm
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Diedersdorfer Weg 1, 12277 Berlin, Germany
| | - Norman Violet
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Diedersdorfer Weg 1, 12277 Berlin, Germany
| | - Achim Kramer
- Laboratory of Chronobiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Gilbert Schönfelder
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Diedersdorfer Weg 1, 12277 Berlin, Germany; Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Norman Ertych
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Diedersdorfer Weg 1, 12277 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Michael Oelgeschläger
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Diedersdorfer Weg 1, 12277 Berlin, Germany
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Bhardwaj V, Kaushik A, Khatib ZM, Nair M, McGoron AJ. Recalcitrant Issues and New Frontiers in Nano-Pharmacology. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1369. [PMID: 31849645 PMCID: PMC6897283 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Packaging of old pharma drugs into new packaging "nanoparticles" is called nano-pharmacology and the products are called nano-based drugs. The inception of nano-pharmacology research and development (R&D) is marked by the approval of the first nano-based drug Doxil® in 1995 by the Food and Drug Administration. However, even after more than two decades, today, there are only ∼20 nano-based drugs in the market to treat cancers and brain diseases. In this article we share the perspectives of nanotechnology scientists, engineers, and clinicians on the roadblocks in nano-pharmacology R&D. Also, we share our opinion on new frontiers in the field of nano-pharmacology R&D that may allow rapid and efficient transfer of nano-pharma technologies from R&D to market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinay Bhardwaj
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ, United States
| | - Ajeet Kaushik
- Department of Natural Sciences, Florida Polytechnic University, Lakeland, FL, United States
| | - Ziad M. Khatib
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Madhavan Nair
- Center for Personalized Nanomedicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Anthony J. McGoron
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
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25
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Yang FW, Li YX, Ren FZ, Luo J, Pang GF. Assessment of the endocrine-disrupting effects of organophosphorus pesticide triazophos and its metabolites on endocrine hormones biosynthesis, transport and receptor binding in silico. Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 133:110759. [PMID: 31421215 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.110759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Triazophos (TAP) was a widely used organophosphorus insecticide in developing countries. TAP could produce specific metabolites triazophos-oxon (TAPO) and 1-phenyl-3-hydroxy-1,2,4-triazole (PHT) and non-specific metabolites diethylthiophosphate (DETP) and diethylphosphate (DEP). The objective of this study involved computational approaches to discover potential mechanisms of molecular interaction of TAP and its major metabolites with endocrine hormone-related proteins using molecular docking in silico. We found that TAP, TAPO and DEP showed high binding affinity with more proteins and enzymes than PHT and DETP. TAP might interfere with the endocrine function of the adrenal gland, and TAP might also bind strongly with glucocorticoid receptors and thyroid hormone receptors. TAPO might disrupt the normal binding of androgen receptor, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and adrenergic receptor to their natural hormone ligands. DEP might affect biosynthesis of steroid hormones and thyroid hormones. Meanwhile, DEP might disrupt the binding and transport of thyroid hormones in the blood and the normal binding of thyroid hormones to their receptors. These results suggested that TAP and DEP might have endocrine disrupting activities and were potential endocrine disrupting chemicals. Our results provided further reference for the comprehensive evaluation of toxicity of organophosphorus chemicals and their metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Wei Yang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yi-Xuan Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Fa-Zheng Ren
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China; Key Laboratory of Functional Dairy, Co-constructed by Ministry of Education and Beijing Government, Beijing Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Jie Luo
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China; College of Food Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410114, China
| | - Guo-Fang Pang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China; Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing, 100176, China.
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