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Obafemi BA, Adedara IA, Rocha JBT. Neurotoxicity of ochratoxin A: Molecular mechanisms and neurotherapeutic strategies. Toxicology 2023; 497-498:153630. [PMID: 37709162 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2023.153630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Data from epidemiological and experimental studies have evidenced that some chemical contaminants in food elicit their harmful effects by targeting the central nervous system. Ochratoxin A is a foodborne mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium species. Research on neurotoxicity associated with ochratoxin A exposure has increased greatly in recent years. The present review accrued substantial evidence on the neurotoxicity associated with ochratoxin A exposure as well as discussed notable susceptible targets of noxious ochratoxin A at molecular, cellular and genetic levels. Specifically, the neurotoxic mechanisms associated with ochratoxin A exposure were unequivocally unraveled in vitro using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, mouse hippocampal HT22 cells, human astrocyte (NHA-SV40LT) cells and microglia cells as well as in vivo using mammalian and non-mammalian models. Data from human biomonitoring studies on plasma ochratoxin A levels in patients with neurodegenerative diseases with some age- and sex-related responses were also highlighted. Moreover, the neurotherapeutic mechanisms of some naturally occurring bioactive compounds against ochratoxin A neurotoxicity are reviewed. Collectively, accumulated data from literature demonstrate that ochratoxin A is a neurotoxin with potential pathological involvement in neurological disorders. Cutting edge original translational research on the development of neurotherapeutics for neurotoxicity associated with foodborne toxicants including ochratoxin A is indispensable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blessing A Obafemi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Isaac A Adedara
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Center of Rural Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Camobi, 97105- 900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
| | - Joao B T Rocha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
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2
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Nguyen VTT, König S, Eggert S, Endres K, Kins S. The role of mycotoxins in neurodegenerative diseases: current state of the art and future perspectives of research. Biol Chem 2021; 403:3-26. [PMID: 34449171 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2021-0214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Mycotoxins are fungal metabolites that can cause various diseases in humans and animals. The adverse health effects of mycotoxins such as liver failure, immune deficiency, and cancer are well-described. However, growing evidence suggests an additional link between these fungal metabolites and neurodegenerative diseases. Despite the wealth of these initial reports, reliable conclusions are still constrained by limited access to human patients and availability of suitable cell or animal model systems. This review summarizes knowledge on mycotoxins associated with neurodegenerative diseases and the assumed underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. The limitations of the common in vivo and in vitro experiments to identify the role of mycotoxins in neurotoxicity and thereby in neurodegenerative diseases are elucidated and possible future perspectives to further evolve this research field are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vu Thu Thuy Nguyen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Str. 8, D-55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Svenja König
- Department of Human Biology and Human Genetics, University of Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Straße 13, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Simone Eggert
- Department of Human Biology and Human Genetics, University of Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Straße 13, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Kristina Endres
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Str. 8, D-55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefan Kins
- Department of Human Biology and Human Genetics, University of Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Straße 13, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
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3
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Gill S, Kumara VMR. Detecting Neurodevelopmental Toxicity of Domoic Acid and Ochratoxin A Using Rat Fetal Neural Stem Cells. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:md17100566. [PMID: 31590222 PMCID: PMC6835907 DOI: 10.3390/md17100566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, animal experiments in rodents are the gold standard for developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) investigations; however, testing guidelines for these experiments are insufficient in terms of animal use, time, and costs. Thus, alternative reliable approaches are needed for predicting DNT. We chose rat neural stem cells (rNSC) as a model system, and used a well-known neurotoxin, domoic acid (DA), as a model test chemical to validate the assay. This assay was used to investigate the potential neurotoxic effects of Ochratoxin A (OTA), of which the main target organ is the kidney. However, limited information is available regarding its neurotoxic effects. The effects of DA and OTA on the cytotoxicity and on the degree of differentiation of rat rNSC into astrocytes, neurons, and oligodendrocytes were monitored using cell-specific immunofluorescence staining for undifferentiated rNSC (nestin), neurospheres (nestin and A2B5), neurons (MAP2 clone M13, MAP2 clone AP18, and Doublecortin), astrocytes (GFAP), and oligodendrocytes (A2B5 and mGalc). In the absence of any chemical exposure, approximately 46% of rNSC differentiated into astrocytes and neurons, while 40% of the rNSC differentiated into oligodendrocytes. Both non-cytotoxic and cytotoxic concentrations of DA and OTA reduced the differentiation of rNSC into astrocytes, neurons, and oligodendrocytes. Furthermore, a non-cytotoxic nanomolar (0.05 µM) concentration of DA and 0.2 µM of OTA reduced the percentage differentiation of rNSC into astrocytes and neurons. Morphometric analysis showed that the highest concentration (10 μM) of DA reduced axonal length. These indicate that low, non-cytotoxic concentrations of DA and OTA can interfere with the differentiation of rNSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Gill
- Regulatory Toxicology Research Division, Health Products and Food Branch, Tunney's Pasture, Health Canada, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
| | - V M Ruvin Kumara
- Regulatory Toxicology Research Division, Health Products and Food Branch, Tunney's Pasture, Health Canada, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
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4
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Zhang B, Zhu L, Dai Y, Li H, Huang K, Luo Y, Xu W. An in vitro attempt at precision toxicology reveals the involvement of DNA methylation alteration in ochratoxin A-induced G0/G1 phase arrest. Epigenetics 2019; 15:199-214. [PMID: 31314649 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2019.1644878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Precision toxicology evaluates the toxicity of certain substances by isolating a small group of cells with a typical phenotype of interest followed by a single cell sequencing-based analysis. In this in vitro attempt, ochratoxin A (OTA), a typical mycotoxin and food contaminant, is found to induce G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest in human renal proximal tubular HKC cells at a concentration of 20 μM after a 24h-treatment. A small number of G0/G1 phase HKC cells are evaluated in both the presence and absence of OTA. These cells are sorted with a flow cytometer and subjected to mRNA and DNA methylation sequencing using Smart-Seq2 and single-cell reduced-representation bisulfite sequencing (scRRBS) technology, respectively. Integrated analysis of the transcriptome and methylome profiles reveals that OTA causes abnormal expression of the essential genes that regulate G1/S phase transition, act as signal transductors in G1 DNA damage checkpoints, and associate with the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome. The alteration of their DNA methylation status is a significant underlying epigenetic mechanism. Furthermore, Notch signaling and Ras/MAPK/CREB pathways are found to be suppressed by OTA. This attempt at precision toxicology paves the way for a deeper understanding of OTA toxicity and provides an innovative strategy to researchers in the toxicology and pharmacology field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyang Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.,Department of Pharmacology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Liye Zhu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yaqi Dai
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyu Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Kunlun Huang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Safety Assessment of Genetically Modified Organism (Food Safety), Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Yunbo Luo
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Safety Assessment of Genetically Modified Organism (Food Safety), Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Wentao Xu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Safety Assessment of Genetically Modified Organism (Food Safety), Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China
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5
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Schultz L, Zurich MG, Culot M, da Costa A, Landry C, Bellwon P, Kristl T, Hörmann K, Ruzek S, Aiche S, Reinert K, Bielow C, Gosselet F, Cecchelli R, Huber CG, Schroeder OHU, Gramowski-Voss A, Weiss DG, Bal-Price A. Evaluation of drug-induced neurotoxicity based on metabolomics, proteomics and electrical activity measurements in complementary CNS in vitro models. Toxicol In Vitro 2015; 30:138-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2015.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Revised: 03/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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6
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Rutigliano L, Valentini L, Martino NA, Pizzi F, Zanghì A, Dell'Aquila ME, Minervini F. Ochratoxin A at low concentrations inhibits in vitro growth of canine umbilical cord matrix mesenchymal stem cells through oxidative chromatin and DNA damage. Reprod Toxicol 2015; 57:121-9. [PMID: 26055943 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2015.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2014] [Revised: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Ochratoxin A (OTA) exposure during pregnancy in laboratory animals induces delayed/abnormal embryo development. Foetal adnexa-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could help evaluate the developmental risk of exposure to chemicals in advanced gestational age. We tested the effects of OTA at concentrations ranging from 2.5×10(-4) to 25nM on growth parameters of canine umbilical cord matrix (UCM)-derived MSCs. The hypothesis that oxidative chromatin and DNA damage could underlie OTA-mediated cell toxicity was also investigated. After in vitro exposure, OTA significantly decreased cell density and increased doubling time in a passage- and concentration-dependent manner and no exposed cells survived beyond passage 5. Significantly higher rates of cells showed condensed and fragmented chromatin and oxidized DNA, as assessed by OxyDNA assay. These findings showed that in vitro exposure to OTA, at picomolar levels, perturbs UCM-MSC growth parameters through oxidative chromatin and DNA damage, suggesting possible consequences on canine foetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Rutigliano
- Veterinary Clinics and Animal Production Section, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantations (DETO), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Str. Prov. Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano (BA), Italy.
| | - Luisa Valentini
- Veterinary Clinics and Animal Production Section, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantations (DETO), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Str. Prov. Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano (BA), Italy.
| | - Nicola Antonio Martino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Puglia e Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Biotecnologie e Biofarmaceutica (DBBB), Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Str. Prov. Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano (BA), Italy.
| | - Flavia Pizzi
- Istituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria (IBBA) Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Unità Org. di Supporto di Lodi-c/o Parco Tecnologico Padano, via Einstein, 26500 Lodi, Italy.
| | - Antonina Zanghì
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario SS Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
| | - Maria Elena Dell'Aquila
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Biotecnologie e Biofarmaceutica (DBBB), Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Str. Prov. Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano (BA), Italy.
| | - Fiorenza Minervini
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production (ISPA), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. Amendola 122/O, 70125 Bari, Italy.
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7
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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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8
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Paradells S, Rocamonde B, Llinares C, Herranz-Pérez V, Jimenez M, Garcia-Verdugo JM, Zipancic I, Soria JM, Garcia-Esparza MA. Neurotoxic effects of ochratoxin A on the subventricular zone of adult mouse brain. J Appl Toxicol 2014; 35:737-51. [DOI: 10.1002/jat.3061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Revised: 06/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Paradells
- Facultad Ciencias de la Salud; Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera; Avda Seminario 46113 Moncada Valencia Spain
| | - Brenda Rocamonde
- Facultad Ciencias de la Salud; Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera; Avda Seminario 46113 Moncada Valencia Spain
| | - Cristina Llinares
- Facultad Ciencias de la Salud; Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera; Avda Seminario 46113 Moncada Valencia Spain
| | - Vicente Herranz-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología Comparada, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva; Universitat de València; 46980 Paterna Valencia, CIBERNED Spain
- Unidad mixta de Esclerosis múltiple y neurorregeneración; IIS Hospital La Fe-UVEG; 46013 Valencia Spain
| | - Misericordia Jimenez
- Departamento de Microbiología y Ecología; Universitat de València; Burjassot Spain
| | - Jose Manuel Garcia-Verdugo
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología Comparada, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva; Universitat de València; 46980 Paterna Valencia, CIBERNED Spain
- Unidad mixta de Esclerosis múltiple y neurorregeneración; IIS Hospital La Fe-UVEG; 46013 Valencia Spain
| | - Ivan Zipancic
- Facultad Ciencias de la Salud; Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera; Avda Seminario 46113 Moncada Valencia Spain
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera; Avda. Seminario 46113 Moncada Valencia Spain
| | - Jose Miguel Soria
- Facultad Ciencias de la Salud; Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera; Avda Seminario 46113 Moncada Valencia Spain
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera; Avda. Seminario 46113 Moncada Valencia Spain
| | - Ma. Angeles Garcia-Esparza
- Facultad Ciencias de la Salud; Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera; Avda Seminario 46113 Moncada Valencia Spain
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera; Avda. Seminario 46113 Moncada Valencia Spain
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9
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Repeated exposure to Ochratoxin A generates a neuroinflammatory response, characterized by neurodegenerative M1 microglial phenotype. Neurotoxicology 2014; 44:61-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2014.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2013] [Revised: 04/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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10
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Pamies D, Hartung T, Hogberg HT. Biological and medical applications of a brain-on-a-chip. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2014; 239:1096-1107. [PMID: 24912505 DOI: 10.1177/1535370214537738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The desire to develop and evaluate drugs as potential countermeasures for biological and chemical threats requires test systems that can also substitute for the clinical trials normally crucial for drug development. Current animal models have limited predictivity for drug efficacy in humans as the large majority of drugs fails in clinical trials. We have limited understanding of the function of the central nervous system and the complexity of the brain, especially during development and neuronal plasticity. Simple in vitro systems do not represent physiology and function of the brain. Moreover, the difficulty of studying interactions between human genetics and environmental factors leads to lack of knowledge about the events that induce neurological diseases. Microphysiological systems (MPS) promise to generate more complex in vitro human models that better simulate the organ's biology and function. MPS combine different cell types in a specific three-dimensional (3D) configuration to simulate organs with a concrete function. The final aim of these MPS is to combine different "organoids" to generate a human-on-a-chip, an approach that would allow studies of complex physiological organ interactions. The recent discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) gives a range of possibilities allowing cellular studies of individuals with different genetic backgrounds (e.g., human disease models). Application of iPSCs from different donors in MPS gives the opportunity to better understand mechanisms of the disease and can be a novel tool in drug development, toxicology, and medicine. In order to generate a brain-on-a-chip, we have established a 3D model from human iPSCs based on our experience with a 3D rat primary aggregating brain model. After four weeks of differentiation, human 3D aggregates stain positive for different neuronal markers and show higher gene expression of various neuronal differentiation markers compared to 2D cultures. Here we present the applications and challenges of this emerging technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Pamies
- Centers for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; University of Konstanz, POB 600, Konstanz 78457, Germany
| | - Thomas Hartung
- Centers for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; University of Konstanz, POB 600, Konstanz 78457, Germany
| | - Helena T Hogberg
- Centers for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; University of Konstanz, POB 600, Konstanz 78457, Germany
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11
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Hogberg HT, Bressler J, Christian KM, Harris G, Makri G, O'Driscoll C, Pamies D, Smirnova L, Wen Z, Hartung T. Toward a 3D model of human brain development for studying gene/environment interactions. Stem Cell Res Ther 2013; 4 Suppl 1:S4. [PMID: 24564953 PMCID: PMC4029162 DOI: 10.1186/scrt365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This project aims to establish and characterize an in vitro model of the developing human brain for the purpose of testing drugs and chemicals. To accurately assess risk, a model needs to recapitulate the complex interactions between different types of glial cells and neurons in a three-dimensional platform. Moreover, human cells are preferred over cells from rodents to eliminate cross-species differences in sensitivity to chemicals. Previously, we established conditions to culture rat primary cells as three-dimensional aggregates, which will be humanized and evaluated here with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The use of iPSCs allows us to address gene/environment interactions as well as the potential of chemicals to interfere with epigenetic mechanisms. Additionally, iPSCs afford us the opportunity to study the effect of chemicals during very early stages of brain development. It is well recognized that assays for testing toxicity in the developing brain must consider differences in sensitivity and susceptibility that arise depending on the time of exposure. This model will reflect critical developmental processes such as proliferation, differentiation, lineage specification, migration, axonal growth, dendritic arborization and synaptogenesis, which will probably display differences in sensitivity to different types of chemicals. Functional endpoints will evaluate the complex cell-to-cell interactions that are affected in neurodevelopment through chemical perturbation, and the efficacy of drug intervention to prevent or reverse phenotypes. The model described is designed to assess developmental neurotoxicity effects on unique processes occurring during human brain development by leveraging human iPSCs from diverse genetic backgrounds, which can be differentiated into different cell types of the central nervous system. Our goal is to demonstrate the feasibility of the personalized model using iPSCs derived from individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders caused by known mutations and chromosomal aberrations. Notably, such a human brain model will be a versatile tool for more complex testing platforms and strategies as well as research into central nervous system physiology and pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena T Hogberg
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA and University of Konstanz, POB 600, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Joseph Bressler
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA and University of Konstanz, POB 600, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
- Hugo Moser Institute at the Kennedy Krieger, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 707 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kimberly M Christian
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Georgina Harris
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA and University of Konstanz, POB 600, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Georgia Makri
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Cliona O'Driscoll
- Hugo Moser Institute at the Kennedy Krieger, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 707 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - David Pamies
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA and University of Konstanz, POB 600, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Lena Smirnova
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA and University of Konstanz, POB 600, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Zhexing Wen
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Thomas Hartung
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA and University of Konstanz, POB 600, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
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12
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Zurich MG, Stanzel S, Kopp-Schneider A, Prieto P, Honegger P. Evaluation of aggregating brain cell cultures for the detection of acute organ-specific toxicity. Toxicol In Vitro 2012; 27:1416-24. [PMID: 22954530 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2012.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2011] [Revised: 06/11/2012] [Accepted: 06/29/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
As part of the ACuteTox project aimed at the development of non-animal testing strategies for predicting human acute oral toxicity, aggregating brain cell cultures (AGGR) were examined for their capability to detect organ-specific toxicity. Previous multicenter evaluations of in vitro cytotoxicity showed that some 20% of the tested chemicals exhibited significantly lower in vitro toxicity as expected from in vivo toxicity data. This was supposed to be due to toxicity at supracellular (organ or system) levels. To examine the capability of AGGR to alert for potential organ-specific toxicants, concentration-response studies were carried out in AGGR for 86 chemicals, taking as endpoints the mRNA expression levels of four selected genes. The lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) determined for each chemical was compared with the IC20 reported for the 3T3/NRU cytotoxicity assay. A LOEC lower than IC20 by at least a factor of 5 was taken to alert for organ-specific toxicity. The results showed that the frequency of alerts increased with the level of toxicity observed in AGGR. Among the chemicals identified as alert were many compounds known for their organ-specific toxicity. These findings suggest that AGGR are suitable for the detection of organ-specific toxicity and that they could, in conjunction with the 3T3/NRU cytotoxicity assay, improve the predictive capacity of in vitro toxicity testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Gabrielle Zurich
- Department of Physiology, University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 7, CH-1005 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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13
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Ochratoxin A induces oxidative DNA damage and G1 phase arrest in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro. Toxicol Lett 2012; 211:164-71. [PMID: 22498431 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2012.03.800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2011] [Revised: 03/21/2012] [Accepted: 03/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Ochratoxin A is one of the most abundant food-contaminating mycotoxins worldwide, and its immunosuppressive effects in human caused more and more concern in biomedical field. In the present study, the toxicity of OTA on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMC) was explored by analyzing the involvement of oxidative pathway. It was found that OTA treatment led to the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the increase of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), an important biomarker of oxidative DNA stress. Moreover, we found that OTA treatment induced DNA strand breaks in hPBMC as evidenced by DNA comet tails formation and increased γ-H2AX expression. In addition, OTA could induce cell cycle arrest at G1 phase by down-regulating the expression of CDK4 and cyclinD1 protein, as well as apoptosis in hPBMC in vitro. Pre-treatment of hPBMC with antioxidant, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), could reduce OTA-induced ROS release and DNA damage, thus confirming the involvement of oxidative DNA damage in the OTA genotoxicity in hPBMC. NAC pre-treatment could also significantly prevent OTA-induced down-regulation of CDK4 and cyclinD1 expression in hPBMC. All the results demonstrated the involvement of oxidative pathway in OTA mediated cytotoxicity in human immune cells, which including the ROS accumulation-oxidative DNA damage-G1 arrest and apoptosis. Our results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms by which OTA might promote immunotoxicity.
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