1
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Noga M, Jurowski K. Toxicity of Bromo-DragonFLY as a New Psychoactive Substance: Application of In Silico Methods for the Prediction of Key Toxicological Parameters Important to Clinical and Forensic Toxicology. Chem Res Toxicol 2024. [PMID: 39119730 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.4c00105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Bromo-DragonFLY is a synthetic new psychoactive substance (NPS) that has gained attention due to its powerful and long-lasting hallucinogenic effects, legal status, and widespread availability. This study aimed to use various in silico toxicology methods to predict key toxicological parameters for Bromo-DragonFLY, including acute toxicity (LD50), genotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, health effects, and the potential for endocrine disruption. The results indicate significant acute toxicity with noticeable variations across different species, a low likelihood of genotoxic potential suggesting potential DNA damage, and a notable risk of cardiotoxicity associated with inhibition of the hERG channel. Evaluation of endocrine disruption suggests a low probability of Bromo-DragonFLY interacting with the estrogen receptor α (ER-α), indicating minimal estrogenic activity. These insights from in silico investigations are important for advancing our understanding of this NPS in forensic and clinical toxicology. These initial toxicological examinations establish a foundation for future research efforts and contribute to developing risk assessment and management strategies for using and misusing NPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Noga
- Department of Regulatory and Forensic Toxicology, Institute of Medical Expertises in Łódź, Ul. Aleksandrowska 67/93, 91-205 Łódź, Poland
| | - Kamil Jurowski
- Department of Regulatory and Forensic Toxicology, Institute of Medical Expertises in Łódź, Ul. Aleksandrowska 67/93, 91-205 Łódź, Poland
- Laboratory of Innovative Toxicological Research and Analyzes, Institute of Medical Studies, Medical College, Rzeszów University, Al. Mjr. W. Kopisto 2a, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
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2
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Tsai HHD, Ford LC, Burnett SD, Dickey AN, Wright FA, Chiu WA, Rusyn I. Informing Hazard Identification and Risk Characterization of Environmental Chemicals by Combining Transcriptomic and Functional Data from Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem-Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes. Chem Res Toxicol 2024. [PMID: 39046974 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.4c00193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Environmental chemicals may contribute to the global burden of cardiovascular disease, but experimental data are lacking to determine which substances pose the greatest risk. Human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes are a high-throughput cardiotoxicity model that is widely used to test drugs and chemicals; however, most studies focus on exploring electro-physiological readouts. Gene expression data may provide additional molecular insights to be used for both mechanistic interpretation and dose-response analyses. Therefore, we hypothesized that both transcriptomic and functional data in human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes may be used as a comprehensive screening tool to identify potential cardiotoxicity hazards and risks of the chemicals. To test this hypothesis, we performed concentration-response analysis of 464 chemicals from 12 classes, including both pharmaceuticals and nonpharmaceutical substances. Functional effects (beat frequency, QT prolongation, and asystole), cytotoxicity, and whole transcriptome response were evaluated. Points of departure were derived from phenotypic and transcriptomic data, and risk characterization was performed. Overall, 244 (53%) substances were active in at least one phenotype; as expected, pharmaceuticals with known cardiac liabilities were the most active. Positive chronotropy was the functional phenotype activated by the largest number of tested chemicals. No chemical class was particularly prone to pose a potential hazard to cardiomyocytes; a varying proportion (10-44%) of substances in each class had effects on cardiomyocytes. Transcriptomic data showed that 69 (15%) substances elicited significant gene expression changes; most perturbed pathways were highly relevant to known key characteristics of human cardiotoxicants. The bioactivity-to-exposure ratios showed that phenotypic- and transcriptomic-based POD led to similar results for risk characterization. Overall, our findings demonstrate how the integrative use of in vitro transcriptomic and phenotypic data from iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes not only offers a complementary approach for hazard and risk prioritization, but also enables mechanistic interpretation of the in vitro test results to increase confidence in decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Hsuan D Tsai
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Lucie C Ford
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Sarah D Burnett
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Allison N Dickey
- Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603, United States
| | - Fred A Wright
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603, United States
- Department of Statistics and Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603, United States
| | - Weihsueh A Chiu
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Ivan Rusyn
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
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3
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Abstract
Major advances in scientific discovery and insights that stem from the development and use of new techniques and models can bring remarkable progress to conventional toxicology. Although animal testing is still considered as the "gold standard" in traditional toxicity testing, there is a necessity for shift from animal testing to alternative methods regarding the drug safety testing owing to the emerging state-of-art techniques and the proposal of 3Rs (replace, reduce, and refine) towards animal welfare. This review describes some recent research methods in drug discovery toxicology, including in vitro cell and organ-on-a-chip, imaging systems, model organisms (C. elegans, Danio rerio, and Drosophila melanogaster), and toxicogenomics in modern toxicology testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Tang
- PTC Therapeutics Inc, South Plainfield, NJ, USA
| | - Vijay More
- PTC Therapeutics Inc, South Plainfield, NJ, USA
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4
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Reddy N, Lynch B, Gujral J, Karnik K. Alternatives to animal testing in toxicity testing: Current status and future perspectives in food safety assessments. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 179:113944. [PMID: 37453475 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The development of alternative methods to animal testing has gained great momentum since Russel and Burch introduced the "3Rs" concept of Reduction, Refinement, and Replacement of animals in safety testing in 1959. Several alternatives to animal testing have since been introduced, including but not limited to in vitro and in chemico test systems, in silico models, and computational models (e.g., [quantitative] structural activity relationship models, high-throughput screens, organ-on-chip models, and genomics or bioinformatics) to predict chemical toxicity. Furthermore, several agencies have developed robust integrated testing strategies to determine chemical toxicity. The cosmetics sector is pioneering the adoption of alternative methodologies for safety evaluations, and other sectors are aiming to completely abandon animal testing by 2035. However, beyond the use of in vitro genetic testing, agencies regulating the food industry have been slow to implement alternative methodologies into safety evaluations compared with other sectors; setting health-based guidance values for food ingredients requires data from systemic toxicity, and to date, no standalone validated alternative models to assess systemic toxicity exist. The abovementioned models show promise for assessing systemic toxicity with further research. In this paper, we review the current alternatives and their applicability and limitations in food safety evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navya Reddy
- Intertek Health Sciences Inc., 2233 Argentia Rd, Suite 201, Mississauga, ON, L5N 2X7, Canada
| | - Barry Lynch
- Intertek Health Sciences Inc., 2233 Argentia Rd, Suite 201, Mississauga, ON, L5N 2X7, Canada.
| | - Jaspreet Gujral
- Tate & Lyle, 5450 Prairie Stone Pkwy, Hoffman Estates, IL, 60192, USA
| | - Kavita Karnik
- Tate & Lyle PLC, 5 Marble Arch, London, W1H 7EJ, United Kingdom
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5
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Pognan F, Beilmann M, Boonen HCM, Czich A, Dear G, Hewitt P, Mow T, Oinonen T, Roth A, Steger-Hartmann T, Valentin JP, Van Goethem F, Weaver RJ, Newham P. The evolving role of investigative toxicology in the pharmaceutical industry. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:317-335. [PMID: 36781957 PMCID: PMC9924869 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-022-00633-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
For decades, preclinical toxicology was essentially a descriptive discipline in which treatment-related effects were carefully reported and used as a basis to calculate safety margins for drug candidates. In recent years, however, technological advances have increasingly enabled researchers to gain insights into toxicity mechanisms, supporting greater understanding of species relevance and translatability to humans, prediction of safety events, mitigation of side effects and development of safety biomarkers. Consequently, investigative (or mechanistic) toxicology has been gaining momentum and is now a key capability in the pharmaceutical industry. Here, we provide an overview of the current status of the field using case studies and discuss the potential impact of ongoing technological developments, based on a survey of investigative toxicologists from 14 European-based medium-sized to large pharmaceutical companies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francois Pognan
- Discovery and Investigative Safety, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Mario Beilmann
- Nonclinical Drug Safety Germany, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Harrie C M Boonen
- Drug Safety, Dept of Exploratory Toxicology, Lundbeck A/S, Valby, Denmark
| | | | - Gordon Dear
- In Vitro In Vivo Translation, GlaxoSmithKline David Jack Centre for Research, Ware, UK
| | - Philip Hewitt
- Chemical and Preclinical Safety, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Tomas Mow
- Safety Pharmacology and Early Toxicology, Novo Nordisk A/S, Maaloev, Denmark
| | - Teija Oinonen
- Preclinical Safety, Orion Corporation, Espoo, Finland
| | - Adrian Roth
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Freddy Van Goethem
- Predictive, Investigative & Translational Toxicology, Nonclinical Safety, Janssen Research & Development, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Richard J Weaver
- Innovation Life Cycle Management, Institut de Recherches Internationales Servier, Suresnes, France
| | - Peter Newham
- Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D, Cambridge, UK.
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6
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Rehman MU, Khan A, Imtiyaz Z, Ali S, Makeen HA, Rashid S, Arafah A. Current Nano-therapeutic Approaches Ameliorating Inflammation in Cancer Progression. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:886-908. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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7
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Liu J, Guo W, Sakkiah S, Ji Z, Yavas G, Zou W, Chen M, Tong W, Patterson TA, Hong H. Machine Learning Models for Predicting Liver Toxicity. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2425:393-415. [PMID: 35188640 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1960-5_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Liver toxicity is a major adverse drug reaction that accounts for drug failure in clinical trials and withdrawal from the market. Therefore, predicting potential liver toxicity at an early stage in drug discovery is crucial to reduce costs and the potential for drug failure. However, current in vivo animal toxicity testing is very expensive and time consuming. As an alternative approach, various machine learning models have been developed to predict potential liver toxicity in humans. This chapter reviews current advances in the development and application of machine learning models for prediction of potential liver toxicity in humans and discusses possible improvements to liver toxicity prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Wenjing Guo
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Sugunadevi Sakkiah
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Zuowei Ji
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Gokhan Yavas
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Wen Zou
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Minjun Chen
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Weida Tong
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Tucker A Patterson
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Huixiao Hong
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA.
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8
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Nehra M, Dilbaghi N, Marrazza G, Kaushik A, Sonne C, Kim KH, Kumar S. Emerging nanobiotechnology in agriculture for the management of pesticide residues. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 401:123369. [PMID: 32763682 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Utilization of pesticides is often necessary for meeting commercial requirements for crop quality and yield. However, incessant global pesticide use poses potential risks to human and ecosystem health. This situation increases the urgency of developing nano-biotechnology-assisted pesticide formulations that have high efficacy and low risk of side effects. The risks associated with both conventional and nanopesticides are summarized in this review. Moreover, the management of residual pesticides is still a global challenge. The contamination of soil and water resources with pesticides has adverse impact over agricultural productivity and food security; ultimately posing threats to living organisms. Pesticide residues in the eco-system may be treated via several biological and physicochemical processes, such as microbe-based degradation and advanced oxidation processes. With these issues in mind, we present a review that explores both existing and emerging techniques for management of pesticide residues and environmental risks. These techniques can offer a sustainable solution to revitalize the tarnished water/soil resources. Further, state-of-the-art research approaches to investigate biotechnological alternatives to conventional pesticides are discussed along with future prospects and mitigation techniques are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Nehra
- Department of Bio and Nano Technology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, Haryana, 125001, India
| | - Neeraj Dilbaghi
- Department of Bio and Nano Technology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, Haryana, 125001, India
| | - Giovanna Marrazza
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Ajeet Kaushik
- NanoBioTech Laboratory, Department of Natural Sciences, Division of Sciences, Arts & Mathematics, Florida Polytechnic University, Lakeland, FL, 33805-8531, United States
| | - Christian Sonne
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Ki-Hyun Kim
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-Ro, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Department of Bio and Nano Technology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, Haryana, 125001, India.
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9
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Krewski D, Andersen ME, Tyshenko MG, Krishnan K, Hartung T, Boekelheide K, Wambaugh JF, Jones D, Whelan M, Thomas R, Yauk C, Barton-Maclaren T, Cote I. Toxicity testing in the 21st century: progress in the past decade and future perspectives. Arch Toxicol 2019; 94:1-58. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-019-02613-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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10
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Marques MR, Choo Q, Ashtikar M, Rocha TC, Bremer-Hoffmann S, Wacker MG. Nanomedicines - Tiny particles and big challenges. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 151-152:23-43. [PMID: 31226397 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
After decades of research, nanotechnology has been used in a broad array of biomedical products including medical devices, drug products, drug substances, and pharmaceutical-grade excipients. But like many great achievements in science, there is a fine balance between the risks and opportunities of this new technology. Some materials and surface structures in the nanosize range can exert unexpected toxicities and merit a more detailed safety assessment. Regulatory agencies such as the United States Food and Drug Administration or the European Medicines Agency have started dealing with the potential risks posed by nanomaterials. Considering that a thorough characterization is one of the key aspects of controlling such risks this review presents the regulatory background of nanosafety assessment and provides some practical advice on how to characterize nanomaterials and drug formulations. Further, the challenges of how to maintain and monitor pharmaceutical quality through a highly complex production processes will be discussed.
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11
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Watford S, Edwards S, Angrish M, Judson RS, Paul Friedman K. Progress in data interoperability to support computational toxicology and chemical safety evaluation. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2019; 380:114707. [PMID: 31404555 PMCID: PMC7705611 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2019.114707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
New approach methodologies (NAMs) in chemical safety evaluation are being explored to address the current public health implications of human environmental exposures to chemicals with limited or no data for assessment. For over a decade since a push toward "Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century," the field has focused on massive data generation efforts to inform computational approaches for preliminary hazard identification, adverse outcome pathways that link molecular initiating events and key events to apical outcomes, and high-throughput approaches to risk-based ratios of bioactivity and exposure to inform relative priority and safety assessment. Projects like the interagency Tox21 program and the US EPA ToxCast program have generated dose-response information on thousands of chemicals, identified and aggregated information from legacy systems, and created tools for access and analysis. The resulting information has been used to develop computational models as viable options for regulatory applications. This progress has introduced challenges in data management that are new, but not unique, to toxicology. Some of the key questions require critical thinking and solutions to promote semantic interoperability, including: (1) identification of bioactivity information from NAMs that might be related to a biological process; (2) identification of legacy hazard information that might be related to a key event or apical outcomes of interest; and, (3) integration of these NAM and traditional data for computational modeling and prediction of complex apical outcomes such as carcinogenesis. This work reviews a number of toxicology-related efforts specifically related to bioactivity and toxicological data interoperability based on the goals established by Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) Data Principles. These efforts are essential to enable better integration of NAM and traditional toxicology information to support data-driven toxicology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Watford
- Booz Allen Hamilton, Rockville, MD 20852, USA; National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Stephen Edwards
- Research Triangle Institute International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Michelle Angrish
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Richard S Judson
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Katie Paul Friedman
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
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12
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Grimm FA, House JS, Wilson MR, Sirenko O, Iwata Y, Wright FA, Ball N, Rusyn I. Multi-dimensional in vitro bioactivity profiling for grouping of glycol ethers. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2019; 101:91-102. [PMID: 30471335 PMCID: PMC6333527 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
High-content screening data derived from physiologically-relevant in vitro models promise to improve confidence in data-integrative groupings for read-across in human health safety assessments. The biological data-based read-across concept is especially applicable to bioactive chemicals with defined mechanisms of toxicity; however, the challenge of data-derived groupings for chemicals that are associated with little or no bioactivity has not been explored. In this study, we apply a suite of organotypic and population-based in vitro models for comprehensive bioactivity profiling of twenty E-Series and P-Series glycol ethers, solvents with a broad variation in toxicity ranging from relatively non-toxic to reproductive and hematopoetic system toxicants. Both E-Series and P-Series glycol ethers elicited cytotoxicity only at high concentrations (mM range) in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes. Population-variability assessment comprised a study of cytotoxicity in 94 human lymphoblast cell lines from 9 populations and revealed differences in inter-individual variability across glycol ethers, but did not indicate population-specific effects. Data derived from various phenotypic and transcriptomic assays revealed consistent bioactivity trends between both cardiomyocytes and hepatocytes, indicating a more universal, rather than cell-type specific mode-of-action for the tested glycol ethers in vitro. In vitro bioactivity-based similarity assessment using Toxicological Priority Index (ToxPi) showed that glycol ethers group according to their alcohol chain length, longer chains were associated with increased bioactivity. While overall in vitro bioactivity profiles did not correlate with in vivo toxicity data on glycol ethers, in vitro bioactivity of E-series glycol ethers were indicative of and correlated with in vivo irritation scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian A Grimm
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - John S House
- Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Melinda R Wilson
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | | | - Yasuhiro Iwata
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Fred A Wright
- Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Nicholas Ball
- Toxicology and Environmental Research and Consulting (TERC), Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S), The Dow Chemical Company, Horgen, Zurich, 8810, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Rusyn
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
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13
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Rusyn I, Greene N. The Impact of Novel Assessment Methodologies in Toxicology on Green Chemistry and Chemical Alternatives. Toxicol Sci 2019; 161:276-284. [PMID: 29378069 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfx196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of experimental toxicology is rapidly advancing by incorporating novel techniques and methods that provide a much more granular view into the mechanisms of potential adverse effects of chemical exposures on human health. The data from various in vitro assays and computational models are useful not only for increasing confidence in hazard and risk decisions, but also are enabling better, faster and cheaper assessment of a greater number of compounds, mixtures, and complex products. This is of special value to the field of green chemistry where design of new materials or alternative uses of existing ones is driven, at least in part, by considerations of safety. This article reviews the state of the science and decision-making in scenarios when little to no data may be available to draw conclusions about which choice in green chemistry is "safer." It is clear that there is no "one size fits all" solution and multiple data streams need to be weighed in making a decision. Moreover, the overall level of familiarity of the decision-makers and scientists alike with new assessment methodologies, their validity, value and limitations is evolving. Thus, while the "impact" of the new developments in toxicology on the field of green chemistry is great already, it is premature to conclude that the data from new assessment methodologies have been widely accepted yet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Rusyn
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - Nigel Greene
- Predictive Compound Safety and ADME, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451
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14
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Soares S, Sousa J, Pais A, Vitorino C. Nanomedicine: Principles, Properties, and Regulatory Issues. Front Chem 2018; 6:360. [PMID: 30177965 PMCID: PMC6109690 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2018.00360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 335] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Several scientific areas have benefited significantly from the introduction of nanotechnology and the respective evolution. This is especially noteworthy in the development of new drug substances and products. This review focuses on the introduction of nanomedicines in the pharmaceutical market, and all the controversy associated to basic concepts related to these nanosystems, and the numerous methodologies applied for enhanced knowledge. Due to the properties conferred by the nanoscale, the challenges for nanotechnology implementation, specifically in the pharmaceutical development of new drug products and respective regulatory issues are critically discussed, mainly focused on the European Union context. Finally, issues pertaining to the current applications and future developments are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Soares
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Sousa
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Alberto Pais
- Department of Chemistry, Coimbra Chemistry Centre, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carla Vitorino
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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15
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Guyton KZ, Rusyn I, Chiu WA, Corpet DE, van den Berg M, Ross MK, Christiani DC, Beland FA, Smith MT. Re: 'Application of the key characteristics of carcinogens in cancer hazard evaluation': response to Goodman, Lynch and Rhomberg. Carcinogenesis 2018; 39:1091-1093. [PMID: 29982359 PMCID: PMC6067125 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgy082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Z Guyton
- Monographs Programme, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Ivan Rusyn
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Weihsueh A Chiu
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Denis E Corpet
- ENVT, INRA TOXALIM (Research Center in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Martin van den Berg
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Matthew K Ross
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - David C Christiani
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Frederick A Beland
- Division of Biochemical Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Martyn T Smith
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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16
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Wignall JA, Muratov E, Sedykh A, Guyton KZ, Tropsha A, Rusyn I, Chiu WA. Conditional Toxicity Value (CTV) Predictor: An In Silico Approach for Generating Quantitative Risk Estimates for Chemicals. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2018; 126:057008. [PMID: 29847084 PMCID: PMC6071978 DOI: 10.1289/ehp2998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2017] [Revised: 03/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human health assessments synthesize human, animal, and mechanistic data to produce toxicity values that are key inputs to risk-based decision making. Traditional assessments are data-, time-, and resource-intensive, and they cannot be developed for most environmental chemicals owing to a lack of appropriate data. OBJECTIVES As recommended by the National Research Council, we propose a solution for predicting toxicity values for data-poor chemicals through development of quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models. METHODS We used a comprehensive database of chemicals with existing regulatory toxicity values from U.S. federal and state agencies to develop quantitative QSAR models. We compared QSAR-based model predictions to those based on high-throughput screening (HTS) assays. RESULTS QSAR models for noncancer threshold-based values and cancer slope factors had cross-validation-based Q2 of 0.25-0.45, mean model errors of 0.70-1.11 log10 units, and applicability domains covering >80% of environmental chemicals. Toxicity values predicted from QSAR models developed in this study were more accurate and precise than those based on HTS assays or mean-based predictions. A publicly accessible web interface to make predictions for any chemical of interest is available at http://toxvalue.org. CONCLUSIONS An in silico tool that can predict toxicity values with an uncertainty of an order of magnitude or less can be used to quickly and quantitatively assess risks of environmental chemicals when traditional toxicity data or human health assessments are unavailable. This tool can fill a critical gap in the risk assessment and management of data-poor chemicals. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP2998.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eugene Muratov
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alexander Sedykh
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kathryn Z Guyton
- Monographs Section, International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization, Lyon, France
| | - Alexander Tropsha
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ivan Rusyn
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Weihsueh A Chiu
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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17
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DeVito SC. The Need for, and the Role of the Toxicological Chemist in the Design of Safer Chemicals. Toxicol Sci 2018; 161:225-240. [PMID: 29029316 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfx197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
During the past several decades, there has been an ever increasing emphasis for designers of new commercial (nonpharmaceutical) chemicals to include considerations of the potential impacts a planned chemical may have on human health and the environment as part of the design of the chemical, and to design chemicals such that they possess the desired use efficacy while minimizing threats to human health and the environment. Achievement of this goal would be facilitated by the availability of individuals specifically and formally trained to design such chemicals. Medicinal chemists are specifically trained to design and develop safe and clinically efficacious pharmaceutical substances. No such formally trained science hybrid exists for the design of safer commercial (nonpharmaceutical) chemicals. This article describes the need for and role of the "toxicological chemist," an individual who is formally trained in synthetic organic chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, toxicology, environmental science, and in the relationships between structure and commercial use efficacy, structure and toxicity, structure and environmental fate and effects, and global hazard, and trained to integrate this knowledge to design safer commercially efficacious chemicals. Using examples, this article illustrates the role of the toxicological chemist in designing commercially efficacious, safer chemical candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen C DeVito
- Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (mail code 7410M), United States Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, District of Columbia
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18
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Rönkkö S, Vellonen KS, Järvinen K, Toropainen E, Urtti A. Human corneal cell culture models for drug toxicity studies. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2017; 6:660-675. [PMID: 27613190 PMCID: PMC5097077 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-016-0330-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In vivo toxicity and absorption studies of topical ocular drugs are problematic, because these studies involve invasive tissue sampling and toxic effects in animal models. Therefore, different human corneal models ranging from simple monolayer cultures to three-dimensional models have been developed for toxicological prediction with in vitro models. Each system has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Use of non-corneal cells, inadequate characterization of gene-expression profiles, and accumulation of genomic aberrations in human corneal models are typical drawbacks that decrease their reliability and predictive power. In the future, further improvements are needed for verifying comparable expression profiles and cellular properties of human corneal models with their in vivo counterparts. A rapidly expanding stem cell technology combined with tissue engineering may give future opportunities to develop new tools in drug toxicity studies. One approach may be the production of artificial miniature corneas. In addition, there is also a need to use large-scale profiling approaches such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics for understanding of the ocular toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seppo Rönkkö
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O.Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kati-Sisko Vellonen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O.Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kristiina Järvinen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O.Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Elisa Toropainen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O.Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Arto Urtti
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O.Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland. .,Centre for Drug Research, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
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19
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Lagunin A, Rudik A, Druzhilovsky D, Filimonov D, Poroikov V. ROSC-Pred: web-service for rodent organ-specific carcinogenicity prediction. Bioinformatics 2017; 34:710-712. [DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btx678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alexey Lagunin
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Bioinformatics, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia Rudik
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry Druzhilovsky
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry Filimonov
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir Poroikov
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
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20
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Cote I, Andersen ME, Ankley GT, Barone S, Birnbaum LS, Boekelheide K, Bois FY, Burgoon LD, Chiu WA, Crawford-Brown D, Crofton KM, DeVito M, Devlin RB, Edwards SW, Guyton KZ, Hattis D, Judson RS, Knight D, Krewski D, Lambert J, Maull EA, Mendrick D, Paoli GM, Patel CJ, Perkins EJ, Poje G, Portier CJ, Rusyn I, Schulte PA, Simeonov A, Smith MT, Thayer KA, Thomas RS, Thomas R, Tice RR, Vandenberg JJ, Villeneuve DL, Wesselkamper S, Whelan M, Whittaker C, White R, Xia M, Yauk C, Zeise L, Zhao J, DeWoskin RS. The Next Generation of Risk Assessment Multi-Year Study-Highlights of Findings, Applications to Risk Assessment, and Future Directions. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2016; 124:1671-1682. [PMID: 27091369 PMCID: PMC5089888 DOI: 10.1289/ehp233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Revised: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Next Generation (NexGen) of Risk Assessment effort is a multi-year collaboration among several organizations evaluating new, potentially more efficient molecular, computational, and systems biology approaches to risk assessment. This article summarizes our findings, suggests applications to risk assessment, and identifies strategic research directions. OBJECTIVE Our specific objectives were to test whether advanced biological data and methods could better inform our understanding of public health risks posed by environmental exposures. METHODS New data and methods were applied and evaluated for use in hazard identification and dose-response assessment. Biomarkers of exposure and effect, and risk characterization were also examined. Consideration was given to various decision contexts with increasing regulatory and public health impacts. Data types included transcriptomics, genomics, and proteomics. Methods included molecular epidemiology and clinical studies, bioinformatic knowledge mining, pathway and network analyses, short-duration in vivo and in vitro bioassays, and quantitative structure activity relationship modeling. DISCUSSION NexGen has advanced our ability to apply new science by more rapidly identifying chemicals and exposures of potential concern, helping characterize mechanisms of action that influence conclusions about causality, exposure-response relationships, susceptibility and cumulative risk, and by elucidating new biomarkers of exposure and effects. Additionally, NexGen has fostered extensive discussion among risk scientists and managers and improved confidence in interpreting and applying new data streams. CONCLUSIONS While considerable uncertainties remain, thoughtful application of new knowledge to risk assessment appears reasonable for augmenting major scope assessments, forming the basis for or augmenting limited scope assessments, and for prioritization and screening of very data limited chemicals. Citation: Cote I, Andersen ME, Ankley GT, Barone S, Birnbaum LS, Boekelheide K, Bois FY, Burgoon LD, Chiu WA, Crawford-Brown D, Crofton KM, DeVito M, Devlin RB, Edwards SW, Guyton KZ, Hattis D, Judson RS, Knight D, Krewski D, Lambert J, Maull EA, Mendrick D, Paoli GM, Patel CJ, Perkins EJ, Poje G, Portier CJ, Rusyn I, Schulte PA, Simeonov A, Smith MT, Thayer KA, Thomas RS, Thomas R, Tice RR, Vandenberg JJ, Villeneuve DL, Wesselkamper S, Whelan M, Whittaker C, White R, Xia M, Yauk C, Zeise L, Zhao J, DeWoskin RS. 2016. The Next Generation of Risk Assessment multiyear study-highlights of findings, applications to risk assessment, and future directions. Environ Health Perspect 124:1671-1682; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP233.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ila Cote
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Address correspondence to I. Cote, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8, Room 8152, 1595 Wynkoop St., Denver, CO 80202-1129 USA. Telephone: (202) 288-9539. E-mail:
| | | | - Gerald T. Ankley
- National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Stanley Barone
- Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, U.S. EPA, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Linda S. Birnbaum
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and
- National Toxicology Program, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kim Boekelheide
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Frederic Y. Bois
- Unité Modèles pour l’Écotoxicologie et la Toxicologie, Institut National de l’Environnement Industriel et des Risques, Verneuil en Halatte, France
| | - Lyle D. Burgoon
- U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Weihsueh A. Chiu
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | | | | | - Michael DeVito
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and
- National Toxicology Program, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Robert B. Devlin
- National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Stephen W. Edwards
- National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Dale Hattis
- George Perkins Marsh Institute, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Derek Knight
- European Chemicals Agency, Annankatu, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Daniel Krewski
- McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jason Lambert
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. EPA, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Elizabeth Anne Maull
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and
- National Toxicology Program, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Donna Mendrick
- National Center for Toxicological Research, Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas, USA
| | | | - Chirag Jagdish Patel
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Edward J. Perkins
- U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Gerald Poje
- Grant Consulting Group, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | | | - Ivan Rusyn
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Paul A. Schulte
- Education and Information Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Anton Simeonov
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Martyn T. Smith
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Kristina A. Thayer
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and
- National Toxicology Program, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Reuben Thomas
- Gladstone Institutes, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Raymond R. Tice
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and
- National Toxicology Program, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - John J. Vandenberg
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Daniel L. Villeneuve
- National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Scott Wesselkamper
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. EPA, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Maurice Whelan
- Systems Toxicology Unit, European Commission Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
| | - Christine Whittaker
- Education and Information Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Ronald White
- Center for Effective Government, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Menghang Xia
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Carole Yauk
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lauren Zeise
- Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California EPA, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Jay Zhao
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. EPA, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Robert S. DeWoskin
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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21
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Grimm FA, Iwata Y, Sirenko O, Chappell GA, Wright FA, Reif DM, Braisted J, Gerhold DL, Yeakley JM, Shepard P, Seligmann B, Roy T, Boogaard PJ, Ketelslegers HB, Rohde AM, Rusyn I. A chemical-biological similarity-based grouping of complex substances as a prototype approach for evaluating chemical alternatives. GREEN CHEMISTRY : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL AND GREEN CHEMISTRY RESOURCE : GC 2016; 18:4407-4419. [PMID: 28035192 PMCID: PMC5179981 DOI: 10.1039/c6gc01147k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Comparative assessment of potential human health impacts is a critical step in evaluating both chemical alternatives and existing products on the market. Most alternatives assessments are conducted on a chemical-by-chemical basis and it is seldom acknowledged that humans are exposed to complex products, not individual substances. Indeed, substances of Unknown or Variable composition, Complex reaction products, and Biological materials (UVCBs) are ubiquitous in commerce yet they present a major challenge for registration and health assessments. Here, we present a comprehensive experimental and computational approach to categorize UVCBs according to global similarities in their bioactivity using a suite of in vitro models. We used petroleum substances, an important group of UVCBs which are grouped for regulatory approval and read-across primarily on physico-chemical properties and the manufacturing process, and only partially based on toxicity data, as a case study. We exposed induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and hepatocytes to DMSO-soluble extracts of 21 petroleum substances from five product groups. Concentration-response data from high-content imaging in cardiomyocytes and hepatocytes, as well as targeted high-throughput transcriptomic analysis of the hepatocytes, revealed distinct groups of petroleum substances. Data integration showed that bioactivity profiling affords clustering of petroleum substances in a manner similar to the manufacturing process-based categories. Moreover, we observed a high degree of correlation between bioactivity profiles and physico-chemical properties, as well as improved groupings when chemical and biological data were combined. Altogether, we demonstrate how novel in vitro screening approaches can be effectively utilized in combination with physico-chemical characteristics to group complex substances and enable read-across. This approach allows for rapid and scientifically-informed evaluation of health impacts of both existing substances and their chemical alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian A Grimm
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences , Texas A&M University , College Station , TX , USA . ; ; Tel: +(979) 458-9866
| | - Yasuhiro Iwata
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences , Texas A&M University , College Station , TX , USA . ; ; Tel: +(979) 458-9866
| | | | - Grace A Chappell
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences , Texas A&M University , College Station , TX , USA . ; ; Tel: +(979) 458-9866
| | - Fred A Wright
- Bioinformatics Research Center , North Carolina State University , Raleigh , NC , USA
| | - David M Reif
- Bioinformatics Research Center , North Carolina State University , Raleigh , NC , USA
| | - John Braisted
- National Institutes of Health , National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences , Bethesda , MD , USA
| | - David L Gerhold
- National Institutes of Health , National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences , Bethesda , MD , USA
| | | | | | | | - Tim Roy
- Department of Natural Science , University of South Carolina , Beaufort , SC , USA
| | | | - Hans B Ketelslegers
- European Petroleum Refiners Association , Concawe Division , Brussels , BE , USA
| | | | - Ivan Rusyn
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences , Texas A&M University , College Station , TX , USA . ; ; Tel: +(979) 458-9866
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22
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Zhu XW, Xin YJ, Chen QH. Chemical and in vitro biological information to predict mouse liver toxicity using recursive random forests. SAR AND QSAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2016; 27:559-572. [PMID: 27353437 DOI: 10.1080/1062936x.2016.1201142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In this study, recursive random forests were used to build classification models for mouse liver toxicity. The mouse liver toxicity endpoint (67 toxic and 166 non-toxic) was a composition of four in vivo chronic systemic and carcinogenic toxicity endpoints (non-proliferative, neoplastic, proliferative and gross pathology). A multiple under-sampling approach and a shifted classification threshold of 0.288 (non-toxic < 0.288 and toxic ≥ 0.288) were used to cope with the unbalanced data. Our study showed that recursive random forests are very efficient in variable selection and for the development of predictive in silico models. Generally, over 95% redundant descriptors could be reduced from modelling for all the chemical, biological and hybrid models in this study. The predictive performance of chemical models (CCR of 0.73) is comparable with hybrid model performance (CCR of 0.74). Descriptors related to the octanol-water partition coefficient are vital for model performance. The in vitro endpoint of CYP2A2 played a key role in the development and interpretation of hybrid models. Identifying high-throughput screening assays relevant to liver toxicity would be key for improving in silico models of liver toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- X-W Zhu
- a College of Resource and Environment, Qingdao Agricultural University , Qingdao , China
- b Qingdao Engineering Research Center for Rural Environment, Qingdao Agricultural University , Qingdao , China
| | - Y-J Xin
- a College of Resource and Environment, Qingdao Agricultural University , Qingdao , China
| | - Q-H Chen
- a College of Resource and Environment, Qingdao Agricultural University , Qingdao , China
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23
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Low YS, Caster O, Bergvall T, Fourches D, Zang X, Norén GN, Rusyn I, Edwards R, Tropsha A. Cheminformatics-aided pharmacovigilance: application to Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2015; 23:968-78. [PMID: 26499102 PMCID: PMC4997030 DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocv127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 07/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective
Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) models can predict adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and thus provide early warnings of potential hazards. Timely identification of potential safety concerns could protect patients and aid early diagnosis of ADRs among the exposed. Our objective was to determine whether global spontaneous reporting patterns might allow chemical substructures associated with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) to be identified and utilized for ADR prediction by QSAR models.
Materials and Methods
Using a reference set of 364 drugs having positive or negative reporting correlations with SJS in the VigiBase global repository of individual case safety reports (Uppsala Monitoring Center, Uppsala, Sweden), chemical descriptors were computed from drug molecular structures. Random Forest and Support Vector Machines methods were used to develop QSAR models, which were validated by external 5-fold cross validation. Models were employed for virtual screening of DrugBank to predict SJS actives and inactives, which were corroborated using knowledge bases like VigiBase, ChemoText, and MicroMedex (Truven Health Analytics Inc, Ann Arbor, Michigan).
Results
We developed QSAR models that could accurately predict if drugs were associated with SJS (area under the curve of 75%–81%). Our 10 most active and inactive predictions were substantiated by SJS reports (or lack thereof) in the literature.
Discussion
Interpretation of QSAR models in terms of significant chemical descriptors suggested novel SJS structural alerts.
Conclusions
We have demonstrated that QSAR models can accurately identify SJS active and inactive drugs. Requiring chemical structures only, QSAR models provide effective computational means to flag potentially harmful drugs for subsequent targeted surveillance and pharmacoepidemiologic investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen S Low
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ola Caster
- Uppsala Monitoring Centre, Uppsala, Sweden Department of Computer and Systems Sciences, Stockholm University, Kista, Sweden
| | | | - Denis Fourches
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Xiaoling Zang
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - G Niklas Norén
- Uppsala Monitoring Centre, Uppsala, Sweden Department of Mathematics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ivan Rusyn
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Alexander Tropsha
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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24
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Silveira JEPS, Pereda MCV, Nogueira C, Dieamant G, Cesar CKM, Assanome KM, Silva MS, Torello CO, Queiroz MLS, Eberlin S. Preliminary safety assessment of C-8 xylitol monoester and xylitol phosphate esters. Int J Cosmet Sci 2015; 38:41-51. [PMID: 26193758 DOI: 10.1111/ics.12262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Most of the cosmetic compounds with preservative properties available in the market pose some risks concerning safety, such as the possibility of causing sensitization. Due to the fact that there are few options, the proper development of new molecules with this purpose is needed. Xylitol is a natural sugar, and the antimicrobial properties of xylitol-derived compounds have already been described in the literature. C-8 xylitol monoester and xylitol phosphate esters may be useful for the development of skincare products. As an initial screen for safety of chemicals, the combination of in silico methods and in vitro testing can aid in prioritizing resources in toxicological investigations while reducing the ethical and monetary costs that are related to animal and human testing. This study was designed to evaluate the safety of C-8 xylitol monoester and xylitol phosphate esters regarding carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, skin and eye irritation/corrosion and sensitization through alternative methods. METHODS For the initial safety assessment, quantitative structure-activity relationship methodology was used. The prediction of the parameters carcinogenicity/mutagenicity, skin and eye irritation/corrosion and sensitization was generated from the chemical structure. The analysis also comprised physical-chemical properties, Cramer rules, threshold of toxicological concern and Michael reaction. In silico results of candidate molecules were compared to 19 compounds with preservative properties that are available in the market. Additionally, in vitro tests (Ames test for mutagenicity, cytotoxicity and phototoxicity tests and hen's egg test--chorioallantoic membrane for irritation) were performed to complement the evaluation. RESULTS In silico evaluation of both molecules presented no structural alerts related to eye and skin irritation, corrosion and sensitization, but some alerts for micronucleus and carcinogenicity were detected. However, by comparison, C-8 xylitol monoester, xylitol phosphate esters showed similar or better results than the compounds available in the market. Concerning experimental data, phototoxicity and mutagenicity results were negative. As expected for compounds with preservative activity, xylitol-derived substances presented positive result in cytotoxicity test. In hen's egg test, both molecules were irritants. CONCLUSION Our results suggested that xylitol-derived compounds appear to be suitable candidates for preservative systems in cosmetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E P S Silveira
- Department of Pharmacology/Hemocenter, Faculty of Medical Science, State University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - M C V Pereda
- Research and Development Department, Chemyunion Química Ltda, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
| | - C Nogueira
- Research and Development Department, Chemyunion Química Ltda, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
| | - G Dieamant
- Department of Pharmacology/Hemocenter, Faculty of Medical Science, State University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - C K M Cesar
- Research and Development Department, Chemyunion Química Ltda, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
| | | | - M S Silva
- Department of Pharmacology/Hemocenter, Faculty of Medical Science, State University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - C O Torello
- Department of Pharmacology/Hemocenter, Faculty of Medical Science, State University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - M L S Queiroz
- Department of Pharmacology/Hemocenter, Faculty of Medical Science, State University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - S Eberlin
- Department of Pharmacology/Hemocenter, Faculty of Medical Science, State University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brazil
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Pradeep P, Povinelli RJ, Merrill SJ, Bozdag S, Sem DS. Novel Uses of In Vitro Data to Develop Quantitative Biological Activity Relationship Models for in Vivo Carcinogenicity Prediction. Mol Inform 2015; 34:236-45. [PMID: 27490169 DOI: 10.1002/minf.201400168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The availability of large in vitro datasets enables better insight into the mode of action of chemicals and better identification of potential mechanism(s) of toxicity. Several studies have shown that not all in vitro assays can contribute as equal predictors of in vivo carcinogenicity for development of hybrid Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR) models. We propose two novel approaches for the use of mechanistically relevant in vitro assay data in the identification of relevant biological descriptors and development of Quantitative Biological Activity Relationship (QBAR) models for carcinogenicity prediction. We demonstrate that in vitro assay data can be used to develop QBAR models for in vivo carcinogenicity prediction via two case studies corroborated with firm scientific rationale. The case studies demonstrate the similarities between QBAR and QSAR modeling in: (i) the selection of relevant descriptors to be used in the machine learning algorithm, and (ii) the development of a computational model that maps chemical or biological descriptors to a toxic endpoint. The results of both the case studies show: (i) improved accuracy and sensitivity which is especially desirable under regulatory requirements, and (ii) overall adherence with the OECD/REACH guidelines. Such mechanism based models can be used along with QSAR models for prediction of mechanistically complex toxic endpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prachi Pradeep
- Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Marquette University, 1313 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA fax: (414) 288-5472.
| | - Richard J Povinelli
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Marquette University, 1515 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
| | - Stephen J Merrill
- Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Marquette University, 1313 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA fax: (414) 288-5472
| | - Serdar Bozdag
- Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Marquette University, 1313 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA fax: (414) 288-5472
| | - Daniel S Sem
- School of Pharmacy, Concordia University Wisconsin, 12800 N. Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, WI 53097, USA
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Chen M, Bisgin H, Tong L, Hong H, Fang H, Borlak J, Tong W. Toward predictive models for drug-induced liver injury in humans: are we there yet? Biomark Med 2014; 8:201-13. [PMID: 24521015 DOI: 10.2217/bmm.13.146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a frequent cause for the termination of drug development programs and a leading reason of drug withdrawal from the marketplace. Unfortunately, the current preclinical testing strategies, including the regulatory-required animal toxicity studies or simple in vitro tests, are insufficiently powered to predict DILI in patients reliably. Notably, the limited predictive power of such testing strategies is mostly attributed to the complex nature of DILI, a poor understanding of its mechanism, a scarcity of human hepatotoxicity data and inadequate bioinformatics capabilities. With the advent of high-content screening assays, toxicogenomics and bioinformatics, multiple end points can be studied simultaneously to improve prediction of clinically relevant DILIs. This review focuses on the current state of efforts in developing predictive models from diverse data sources for potential use in detecting human hepatotoxicity, and also aims to provide perspectives on how to further improve DILI prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjun Chen
- Division of Bioinformatics & Biostatistics, National Center for Toxicological Research, The US Food & Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA
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Krewski D, Westphal M, Andersen ME, Paoli GM, Chiu WA, Al-Zoughool M, Croteau MC, Burgoon LD, Cote I. A framework for the next generation of risk science. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2014; 122:796-805. [PMID: 24727499 PMCID: PMC4123023 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1307260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2013] [Accepted: 04/09/2014] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency initiated the NexGen project to develop a new paradigm for the next generation of risk science. METHODS The NexGen framework was built on three cornerstones: the availability of new data on toxicity pathways made possible by fundamental advances in basic biology and toxicological science, the incorporation of a population health perspective that recognizes that most adverse health outcomes involve multiple determinants, and a renewed focus on new risk assessment methodologies designed to better inform risk management decision making. RESULTS The NexGen framework has three phases. Phase I (objectives) focuses on problem formulation and scoping, taking into account the risk context and the range of available risk management decision-making options. Phase II (risk assessment) seeks to identify critical toxicity pathway perturbations using new toxicity testing tools and technologies, and to better characterize risks and uncertainties using advanced risk assessment methodologies. Phase III (risk management) involves the development of evidence-based population health risk management strategies of a regulatory, economic, advisory, community-based, or technological nature, using sound principles of risk management decision making. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of a series of case study prototypes indicated that many aspects of the NexGen framework are already beginning to be adopted in practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Krewski
- McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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28
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A testing strategy to predict risk for drug-induced liver injury in humans using high-content screen assays and the 'rule-of-two' model. Arch Toxicol 2014; 88:1439-49. [PMID: 24958025 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-014-1276-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a major cause of drug failures in both the preclinical and clinical phase. Consequently, improving prediction of DILI at an early stage of drug discovery will reduce the potential failures in the subsequent drug development program. In this regard, high-content screening (HCS) assays are considered as a promising strategy for the study of DILI; however, the predictive performance of HCS assays is frequently insufficient. In the present study, a new testing strategy was developed to improve DILI prediction by employing in vitro assays that was combined with the RO2 model (i.e., 'rule-of-two' defined by daily dose ≥100 mg/day & logP ≥3). The RO2 model was derived from the observation that high daily doses and lipophilicity of an oral medication were associated with significant DILI risk in humans. In the developed testing strategy, the RO2 model was used for the rational selection of candidates for HCS assays, and only the negatives predicted by the RO2 model were further investigated by HCS. Subsequently, the effects of drug treatment on cell loss, nuclear size, DNA damage/fragmentation, apoptosis, lysosomal mass, mitochondrial membrane potential, and steatosis were studied in cultures of primary rat hepatocytes. Using a set of 70 drugs with clear evidence of clinically relevant DILI, the testing strategy improved the accuracies by 10 % and reduced the number of drugs requiring experimental assessment by approximately 20 %, as compared to the HCS assay alone. Moreover, the testing strategy was further validated by including published data (Cosgrove et al. in Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 237:317-330, 2009) on drug-cytokine-induced hepatotoxicity, which improved the accuracies by 7 %. Taken collectively, the proposed testing strategy can significantly improve the prediction of in vitro assays for detecting DILI liability in an early drug discovery phase.
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Römer M, Eichner J, Metzger U, Templin MF, Plummer S, Ellinger-Ziegelbauer H, Zell A. Cross-platform toxicogenomics for the prediction of non-genotoxic hepatocarcinogenesis in rat. PLoS One 2014; 9:e97640. [PMID: 24830643 PMCID: PMC4022579 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2014] [Accepted: 04/10/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the area of omics profiling in toxicology, i.e. toxicogenomics, characteristic molecular profiles have previously been incorporated into prediction models for early assessment of a carcinogenic potential and mechanism-based classification of compounds. Traditionally, the biomarker signatures used for model construction were derived from individual high-throughput techniques, such as microarrays designed for monitoring global mRNA expression. In this study, we built predictive models by integrating omics data across complementary microarray platforms and introduced new concepts for modeling of pathway alterations and molecular interactions between multiple biological layers. We trained and evaluated diverse machine learning-based models, differing in the incorporated features and learning algorithms on a cross-omics dataset encompassing mRNA, miRNA, and protein expression profiles obtained from rat liver samples treated with a heterogeneous set of substances. Most of these compounds could be unambiguously classified as genotoxic carcinogens, non-genotoxic carcinogens, or non-hepatocarcinogens based on evidence from published studies. Since mixed characteristics were reported for the compounds Cyproterone acetate, Thioacetamide, and Wy-14643, we reclassified these compounds as either genotoxic or non-genotoxic carcinogens based on their molecular profiles. Evaluating our toxicogenomics models in a repeated external cross-validation procedure, we demonstrated that the prediction accuracy of our models could be increased by joining the biomarker signatures across multiple biological layers and by adding complex features derived from cross-platform integration of the omics data. Furthermore, we found that adding these features resulted in a better separation of the compound classes and a more confident reclassification of the three undefined compounds as non-genotoxic carcinogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Römer
- Center of Bioinformatics Tuebingen (ZBIT), University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Johannes Eichner
- Center of Bioinformatics Tuebingen (ZBIT), University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ute Metzger
- Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Markus F. Templin
- Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Simon Plummer
- CXR Biosciences, James Lindsay Place, Dundee Technopole, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | | | - Andreas Zell
- Center of Bioinformatics Tuebingen (ZBIT), University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Low YS, Sedykh AY, Rusyn I, Tropsha A. Integrative approaches for predicting in vivo effects of chemicals from their structural descriptors and the results of short-term biological assays. Curr Top Med Chem 2014; 14:1356-64. [PMID: 24805064 PMCID: PMC5344042 DOI: 10.2174/1568026614666140506121116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2014] [Revised: 02/05/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cheminformatics approaches such as Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR) modeling have been used traditionally for predicting chemical toxicity. In recent years, high throughput biological assays have been increasingly employed to elucidate mechanisms of chemical toxicity and predict toxic effects of chemicals in vivo. The data generated in such assays can be considered as biological descriptors of chemicals that can be combined with molecular descriptors and employed in QSAR modeling to improve the accuracy of toxicity prediction. In this review, we discuss several approaches for integrating chemical and biological data for predicting biological effects of chemicals in vivo and compare their performance across several data sets. We conclude that while no method consistently shows superior performance, the integrative approaches rank consistently among the best yet offer enriched interpretation of models over those built with either chemical or biological data alone. We discuss the outlook for such interdisciplinary methods and offer recommendations to further improve the accuracy and interpretability of computational models that predict chemical toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alexander Tropsha
- 100K Beard Hall, Campus Box 7568, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7568, USA.
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31
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Brown JB, Niijima S, Okuno Y. CompoundProtein Interaction Prediction Within Chemogenomics: Theoretical Concepts, Practical Usage, and Future Directions. Mol Inform 2013; 32:906-21. [DOI: 10.1002/minf.201300101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2013] [Accepted: 08/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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32
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Exploring QSTR modeling and toxicophore mapping for identification of important molecular features contributing to the chemical toxicity in Escherichia coli. Toxicol In Vitro 2013; 28:265-72. [PMID: 24246193 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2013.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2013] [Revised: 10/31/2013] [Accepted: 11/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Biodiversity deprivation can affect functions and services of the ecosystem. Changes in biodiversity alter ecosystem processes and change the resilience of ecosystems to ecological changes. Bacterial communities are the main form of biomass in the ecosystem and one of largest populations on the planet. Bacterial communities provide important services to biodiversity. They break down pollutants, municipal waste and ingested food, and they are the primary route for recycling of organic matter to plants and other autotrophs, conversion of inorganic matter into new biological tissue using sunlight, management of energy crisis through use of biofuel. In the present study, computational chemistry and statistical modeling have been used to develop mathematical equations which can be applied to calculate toxicity of new/unknown chemicals/biofuels/metabolites in Escherichia coli. 2D and 3D descriptors were generated from molecular structure of compounds and mathematical models have been developed using genetic function approximation followed by multiple linear regression (GFA-MLR) method. Model validity was checked through defined internal (R(2)=0.751 and Q(2)=0.711), and external (Rpred(2)=0.773) statistical parameters. Molecular features responsible for toxicity were also assessed through 3D toxicophore study. The toxicophore-based model was validated (R=0.785) using qualitative statistical metrics and randomization test (Fischer validation).
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Ramirez T, Daneshian M, Kamp H, Bois FY, Clench MR, Coen M, Donley B, Fischer SM, Ekman DR, Fabian E, Guillou C, Heuer J, Hogberg HT, Jungnickel H, Keun HC, Krennrich G, Krupp E, Luch A, Noor F, Peter E, Riefke B, Seymour M, Skinner N, Smirnova L, Verheij E, Wagner S, Hartung T, van Ravenzwaay B, Leist M. Metabolomics in toxicology and preclinical research. ALTEX-ALTERNATIVES TO ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION 2013; 30:209-25. [PMID: 23665807 DOI: 10.14573/altex.2013.2.209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Metabolomics, the comprehensive analysis of metabolites in a biological system, provides detailed information about the biochemical/physiological status of a biological system, and about the changes caused by chemicals. Metabolomics analysis is used in many fields, ranging from the analysis of the physiological status of genetically modified organisms in safety science to the evaluation of human health conditions. In toxicology, metabolomics is the -omics discipline that is most closely related to classical knowledge of disturbed biochemical pathways. It allows rapid identification of the potential targets of a hazardous compound. It can give information on target organs and often can help to improve our understanding regarding the mode-of-action of a given compound. Such insights aid the discovery of biomarkers that either indicate pathophysiological conditions or help the monitoring of the efficacy of drug therapies. The first toxicological applications of metabolomics were for mechanistic research, but different ways to use the technology in a regulatory context are being explored. Ideally, further progress in that direction will position the metabolomics approach to address the challenges of toxicology of the 21st century. To address these issues, scientists from academia, industry, and regulatory bodies came together in a workshop to discuss the current status of applied metabolomics and its potential in the safety assessment of compounds. We report here on the conclusions of three working groups addressing questions regarding 1) metabolomics for in vitro studies 2) the appropriate use of metabolomics in systems toxicology, and 3) use of metabolomics in a regulatory context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzutzuy Ramirez
- BASF SE, Experimental Toxicology and Ecology, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
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Sirenko O, Cromwell EF, Crittenden C, Wignall JA, Wright FA, Rusyn I. Assessment of beating parameters in human induced pluripotent stem cells enables quantitative in vitro screening for cardiotoxicity. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2013; 273:500-7. [PMID: 24095675 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2013.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Revised: 09/11/2013] [Accepted: 09/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes show promise for screening during early drug development. Here, we tested a hypothesis that in vitro assessment of multiple cardiomyocyte physiological parameters enables predictive and mechanistically-interpretable evaluation of cardiotoxicity in a high-throughput format. Human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes were exposed for 30 min or 24 h to 131 drugs, positive (107) and negative (24) for in vivo cardiotoxicity, in up to 6 concentrations (3 nM to 30 uM) in 384-well plates. Fast kinetic imaging was used to monitor changes in cardiomyocyte function using intracellular Ca(2+) flux readouts synchronous with beating, and cell viability. A number of physiological parameters of cardiomyocyte beating, such as beat rate, peak shape (amplitude, width, raise, decay, etc.) and regularity were collected using automated data analysis. Concentration-response profiles were evaluated using logistic modeling to derive a benchmark concentration (BMC) point-of-departure value, based on one standard deviation departure from the estimated baseline in vehicle (0.3% dimethyl sulfoxide)-treated cells. BMC values were used for cardiotoxicity classification and ranking of compounds. Beat rate and several peak shape parameters were found to be good predictors, while cell viability had poor classification accuracy. In addition, we applied the Toxicological Prioritization Index (ToxPi) approach to integrate and display data across many collected parameters, to derive "cardiosafety" ranking of tested compounds. Multi-parameter screening of beating profiles allows for cardiotoxicity risk assessment and identification of specific patterns defining mechanism-specific effects. These data and analysis methods may be used widely for compound screening and early safety evaluation in drug development.
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Chen M, Hong H, Fang H, Kelly R, Zhou G, Borlak J, Tong W. Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship Models for Predicting Drug-Induced Liver Injury Based on FDA-Approved Drug Labeling Annotation and Using a Large Collection of Drugs. Toxicol Sci 2013; 136:242-9. [DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kft189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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36
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Low Y, Sedykh A, Fourches D, Golbraikh A, Whelan M, Rusyn I, Tropsha A. Integrative chemical-biological read-across approach for chemical hazard classification. Chem Res Toxicol 2013; 26:1199-208. [PMID: 23848138 DOI: 10.1021/tx400110f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Traditional read-across approaches typically rely on the chemical similarity principle to predict chemical toxicity; however, the accuracy of such predictions is often inadequate due to the underlying complex mechanisms of toxicity. Here, we report on the development of a hazard classification and visualization method that draws upon both chemical structural similarity and comparisons of biological responses to chemicals measured in multiple short-term assays ("biological" similarity). The Chemical-Biological Read-Across (CBRA) approach infers each compound's toxicity from both chemical and biological analogues whose similarities are determined by the Tanimoto coefficient. Classification accuracy of CBRA was compared to that of classical RA and other methods using chemical descriptors alone or in combination with biological data. Different types of adverse effects (hepatotoxicity, hepatocarcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and acute lethality) were classified using several biological data types (gene expression profiling and cytotoxicity screening). CBRA-based hazard classification exhibited consistently high external classification accuracy and applicability to diverse chemicals. Transparency of the CBRA approach is aided by the use of radial plots that show the relative contribution of analogous chemical and biological neighbors. Identification of both chemical and biological features that give rise to the high accuracy of CBRA-based toxicity prediction facilitates mechanistic interpretation of the models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen Low
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
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37
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Lei B, Li J, Yao X. A Novel Strategy of Structural Similarity Based Consensus Modeling. Mol Inform 2013; 32:599-608. [PMID: 27481768 DOI: 10.1002/minf.201200170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2012] [Accepted: 04/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
A novel strategy of "structural similarity based consensus modeling" (SSCM) based on "model distance and guided model selection" (MD-QGMS) submodel set was proposed. The SSCM strategy is built upon a hypothesis, that is, similar compounds are most probably predicted more accurately by a same submodel among a model population, which can be concluded from the fact that models employing a different set of descriptors can predict compounds with specific structures more accurately. It is proved that the proposed SSCM strategy can remarkably improve the external prediction ability of QSAR models by employing two different datasets. In future, the proposed SSCM strategy may provide a new direction to develop more accurate predictive models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beilei Lei
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, 22 Xinong Road, P. R. China tel: +86-029-87092262.
| | - Jiazhong Li
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Xiaojun Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
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Pramanik S, Roy K. Environmental toxicological fate prediction of diverse organic chemicals based on steady-state compartmental chemical mass ratio using quantitative structure-fate relationship (QSFR) models. CHEMOSPHERE 2013; 92:600-607. [PMID: 23642702 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.03.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2013] [Revised: 03/06/2013] [Accepted: 03/22/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Four quantitative prediction models for steady-state compartmental chemical mass concentrations (Wn,g) were obtained from structural information, physiochemical properties, degradation rate and transport coefficients of 455 diverse organic chemicals using chemometric tools in a quantitative structure-fate relationship (QSFR) study. The mass ratio assessment of environmentally prevalent organic chemicals may be helpful to predict their toxicological fate in the ecosystems. Four sets of mass ratios [(1) log(Wair) from water emissions (water to air compartment), (2) log(Wair) from air emissions (within different zones of the air compartment), (3) log(Wwater) from water emissions (within different zones of the water compartment) and (4) log(Wwater) from air emissions (air to water compartment)] have been used. The developed models using genetic function approximation followed by multiple linear regression (GFA-MLR) and subsequent partial least squares (PLS) treatment identify only four descriptors for log(Wair) from water emission, six descriptors for log(Wair) from air emission, five descriptors for log(Wwater) from water emission and seven descriptors for log(Wwater) from air emission for predicting efficiently a large number of test set chemicals (ntest=182). The conclusive models suggest that descriptors such as partition coefficients (Kaw, Kow and Ksw), degradation parameters (Ksoil,Kwater and Kair), vapor pressure (Pv), diffusivity (Dwater), spatial descriptors (Jurs-WNSA-1, Jurs-WNSA-2, Jurs-WPSA-3, Jurs-FNSA-3 and Density), thermodynamic descriptors (MolRef and AlogP98), electrotopological state indices (S_dsN, S_ssNH and S_dsCH) are important for predicting the chemical mass ratios. The developed models may be applicable in toxicological fate prediction of diverse chemicals in the ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subrata Pramanik
- Drug Theoretics and Cheminformatics Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700 032, India
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Zhu XW, Sedykh A, Liu SS. Hybrid in silico models for drug-induced liver injury using chemical descriptors and in vitro cell-imaging information. J Appl Toxicol 2013; 34:281-8. [PMID: 23640866 DOI: 10.1002/jat.2879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2013] [Revised: 02/22/2013] [Accepted: 02/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a major adverse drug reaction that accounts for one-third of post-marketing drug withdrawals. Several classifiers for human hepatotoxicity using chemical descriptors with limited prediction accuracies have been published. In this study, we developed predictive in silico models based on a set of 156 DILI positive and 136 DILI negative compounds for DILI prediction. First, models based on a chemical descriptor (CDK, Dragon and MOE) and in vitro cell-imaging endpoints [human hepatocyte imaging assay technology (HIAT) descriptors] were built using random forest (RF) and five-fold cross-validation procedure. Then three hybrid models were built using HIAT and a single type of chemical descriptors. Generally, the models based only on chemical descriptors were poor, with a correct classification rate (CCR) around 0.60 when the default threshold value (i.e. threshold = 0.50) was used. The hybrid models afforded a CCR of 0.73 with a specificity of 0.74 and a better true positive rate (sensitivity of 0.71), which is crucial in drug toxicity screening for the purpose of patient safety. The benefit of hybrid models was even more drastic when stricter classification thresholds were employed (e.g. CCR would be 0.83 when double thresholds (non-toxic < 0.40 and toxic > 0.60) were used for the hybrid model). We have developed rigorously validated hybrid models which can be used in virtual screening of lead compounds with potential hepatotoxicity. Our study also showed a chemical structure and in vitro biological data can be complementary in enhancing the prediction accuracy of human hepatotoxicity and can afford rational mechanistic interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Wei Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
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Abstract
Some researchers consider nanotechnology the next industrial revolution, and consumer products and a variety of industries increasingly use synthetic nanoparticles. In this Account, we review the initial accomplishments of nanoecotoxicology, a discipline that is just a decade old. This new subdiscipline of ecotoxicology faces two important and challenging problems: the analysis of the safety of nanotechnologies in the natural environment and the promotion of sustainable development while mitigating the potential pitfalls of innovative nanotechnologies. In this Account, we provide a snapshot of the publicly available scientific information regarding the ecotoxicity of engineered nanoparticles. We pay special attention to information relevant to aquatic freshwater species commonly used for risk assessment and regulation. Just as the development of ecotoxicology has lagged behind that of toxicology, nanoecotoxicological research has developed much more slowly than nanotoxicology. Although the first nanotoxicolology papers were published in 1990s, the first nanoecotoxicology papers came out in 2006. A meta-analysis of scientific publications covering different environmental impacts of nanomaterials showed that the importance of research into the environmental impact of nanotechnology has gradually increased since 2005. Now the most frequently cited papers in the environmental disciplines are often those that focus on synthetic nanoparticles. The first nanoecotoxicology studies focused on adverse effects of nanoparticles on fish, algae and daphnids, which are ecotoxicological model organisms for classification and labeling of chemicals (these model organisms are also used in the EU chemical safety policy adopted in 2007: Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)). Based on our experience, we propose a multitrophic battery of nanoecotoxicological testing that includes particle-feeding and a priori particle-"proof" prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms at different food-chain levels. Using this battery of selected test organisms, we demonstrated that TiO₂ nanoparticles were toxic to algae and that ZnO and CuO nanoparticles were toxic to several aquatic invertebrate test species. Thus, one single biotest cannot predict the ecotoxicological effects of chemicals/nanoparticles, and researchers should use several tests instead. Moreover, produced nanoparticles usually vary in features such as size, shape, and coating; therefore, a single nanoparticle species may actually include many entities with different physicochemical properties. An ecotoxicity analysis of all these variants would require a huge number of laboratory tests. To address these issues, high throughput bioassays and computational (QSAR) models that serve as powerful alternatives to conventional (eco)toxicity testing must be implemented to handle both the diversity of nanomaterials and the complexity of ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Kahru
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Angela Ivask
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Tallinn, Estonia
- University of California Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States
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Hartung T, Luechtefeld T, Maertens A, Kleensang A. Integrated testing strategies for safety assessments. ALTEX 2013; 30:3-18. [PMID: 23338803 PMCID: PMC3800026 DOI: 10.14573/altex.2013.1.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Despite the fact that toxicology uses many stand-alone tests, a systematic combination of several information sources very often is required: Examples include: when not all possible outcomes of interest (e.g., modes of action), classes of test substances (applicability domains), or severity classes of effect are covered in a single test; when the positive test result is rare (low prevalence leading to excessive false-positive results); when the gold standard test is too costly or uses too many animals, creating a need for prioritization by screening. Similarly, tests are combined when the human predictivity of a single test is not satisfactory or when existing data and evidence from various tests will be integrated. Increasingly, kinetic information also will be integrated to make an in vivo extrapolation from in vitro data. Integrated Testing Strategies (ITS) offer the solution to these problems. ITS have been discussed for more than a decade, and some attempts have been made in test guidance for regulations. Despite their obvious potential for revamping regulatory toxicology, however, we still have little guidance on the composition, validation, and adaptation of ITS for different purposes. Similarly, Weight of Evidence and Evidence-based Toxicology approaches require different pieces of evidence and test data to be weighed and combined. ITS also represent the logical way of combining pathway-based tests, as suggested in Toxicology for the 21st Century. This paper describes the state of the art of ITS and makes suggestions as to the definition, systematic combination, and quality assurance of ITS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hartung
- Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, CAAT, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Mesli F, Medjahed K, Ghalem S. Prediction of structural and thermodynamic properties of three products: 1-bromobenzene, tetrachlorethylene and 4-hydroxy-chromen-2-one using numerical methods. RESEARCH ON CHEMICAL INTERMEDIATES 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s11164-012-0722-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Pleil JD, Williams MA, Sobus JR. Chemical Safety for Sustainability (CSS): Human in vivo biomonitoring data for complementing results from in vitro toxicology—A commentary. Toxicol Lett 2012; 215:201-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2012.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2012] [Revised: 10/14/2012] [Accepted: 10/15/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Reif DM, Sypa M, Lock EF, Wright FA, Wilson A, Cathey T, Judson RR, Rusyn I. ToxPi GUI: an interactive visualization tool for transparent integration of data from diverse sources of evidence. Bioinformatics 2012. [PMID: 23202747 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/bts686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Scientists and regulators are often faced with complex decisions, where use of scarce resources must be prioritized using collections of diverse information. The Toxicological Prioritization Index (ToxPi™) was developed to enable integration of multiple sources of evidence on exposure and/or safety, transformed into transparent visual rankings to facilitate decision making. The rankings and associated graphical profiles can be used to prioritize resources in various decision contexts, such as testing chemical toxicity or assessing similarity of predicted compound bioactivity profiles. The amount and types of information available to decision makers are increasing exponentially, while the complex decisions must rely on specialized domain knowledge across multiple criteria of varying importance. Thus, the ToxPi bridges a gap, combining rigorous aggregation of evidence with ease of communication to stakeholders. RESULTS An interactive ToxPi graphical user interface (GUI) application has been implemented to allow straightforward decision support across a variety of decision-making contexts in environmental health. The GUI allows users to easily import and recombine data, then analyze, visualize, highlight, export and communicate ToxPi results. It also provides a statistical metric of stability for both individual ToxPi scores and relative prioritized ranks. AVAILABILITY The ToxPi GUI application, complete user manual and example data files are freely available from http://comptox.unc.edu/toxpi.php.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Reif
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, USA.
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