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Vazakidou P, Bouftas N, Heinzelmann M, Johansson HKL, Svingen T, Leonards PEG, van Duursen MBM. Minor changes to circulating steroid hormones in female rats after perinatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol or ketoconazole. Reprod Toxicol 2024:108726. [PMID: 39326550 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2024] [Revised: 09/17/2024] [Accepted: 09/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
Current chemical test strategies lack sensitive markers for detecting female reproductive toxicity caused by endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). In search of a potentially sensitive readout, the steroidogenic disrupting effects of the well-known EDCs ketoconazole (KTZ) and diethylstilbestrol (DES) were investigated in vitro and on circulating steroid hormones in perinatally exposed female Sprague-Dawley rats. Twenty-one steroid hormones were analysed using LC-MS/MS in plasma from female rat offspring at postnatal day (PD) 6, 14, 22, 42 and 90. Most circulating steroid hormone levels increased with age except for estrone (E1), estradiol (E2) and backdoor pathway androsterone (ANDROST), which decreased after PD 22. Perinatal exposure to DES did not affect circulating steroid hormone levels at any dose or age compared to controls. KTZ exposure resulted in dose-dependent increase of corticosterone (CORTICO) at PD 6 and PD 14, with statistical significance only at PD 14. In the in vitro gold standard H295R steroidogenesis assay, twenty-one steroid hormones were measured instead of only T and E2. DES had subtle effects on steroidogenesis, whereas KTZ decreased most steroid hormones, but increased CORTICO, progesterone (P4), estriol (E3) initially (around 0.1-1µM) before decreasing. Our data suggests that circulating steroidomic profiling may not be a sensitive readout for EDC-induced female reproductive toxicity. Further studies are needed to associate H295R assay steroidomic profiles with in vivo profiles, especially in target tissues such as adrenals or gonads. Expanding the H295R steroidogenic assay to include a comprehensive steroidomic profile may enhance its regulatory applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paraskevi Vazakidou
- Environment and Health, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nora Bouftas
- Environment and Health, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Manuel Heinzelmann
- Environment and Health, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hanna K L Johansson
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Terje Svingen
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Pim E G Leonards
- Environment and Health, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Majorie B M van Duursen
- Environment and Health, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Bennett DH, Sellen J, Moran R, Alaimo CP, Young TM. Personal air sampling for pesticides in the California San Joaquin Valley. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024:10.1038/s41370-024-00708-4. [PMID: 39251871 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-024-00708-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND California is a leading agricultural state and with that, has significant applications of pesticides. Levels of exposure have been measured to be higher among residents in agricultural areas, but measures of personal inhalation exposure to a wide range of pesticides are lacking. Community members in the San Joaquin Valley have expressed concern over pesticide exposures. Working with community members, a wide range of pesticides in personal air samples were measured. METHODS Adult and school-aged participants were recruited from small agricultural towns in the San Joaquin Valley. Participants wore a backpack sampler for 8-14 h on 1-3 days. Samples were collected on two tubes, one with Tenax-TA resin and the other with XAD-2 resin. In total, 21 pesticides were analyzed using both LC/MS and GC/MS methods. RESULTS Thirty-one adult participants and 11 school aged participants were recruited, and sampling occurred on a total of 92 days. Seven adults, 22% of adult participants, and one school child had detectable levels of at least one pesticide. Pesticides detected above the limit of detection were 1,3-dichloropropene, chlorpyrifos, pyrimethanil, burprofezin and penthiopyrad. When these samples were collected, chlorpyrifos was not permitted to be used in California. IMPACT STATEMENT California, a leading agricultural state, has significant pesticide use, leading to concern about exposures among community members. Thirty-one adult and 11 school aged participants wore personal air sampling backpacks from 1-3 days. Twenty-two percent of adult participants had detectable levels of at least one pesticide. Two pesticides with established toxicity, 1,3-dichloropropene and chlorpyrifos were detected, along with first time measurements of pyrimethanil, burprofezin and penthiopyrad in the United States, which all have potential indications of toxicity. This study suggests the need to expand which pesticides are measured in agricultural communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah H Bennett
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Jane Sellen
- Californians for Pesticide Reform, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Rebecca Moran
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Christopher P Alaimo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Thomas M Young
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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3
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Kay JE, Brody JG, Schwarzman M, Rudel RA. Application of the Key Characteristics Framework to Identify Potential Breast Carcinogens Using Publicly Available in Vivo, in Vitro, and in Silico Data. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:17002. [PMID: 38197648 PMCID: PMC10777819 DOI: 10.1289/ehp13233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chemicals that induce mammary tumors in rodents or activate estrogen or progesterone signaling are likely to increase breast cancer (BC) risk. Identifying chemicals with these activities can prompt steps to protect human health. OBJECTIVES We compiled data on rodent tumors, endocrine activity, and genotoxicity to assess the key characteristics (KCs) of rodent mammary carcinogens (MCs), and to identify other chemicals that exhibit these effects and may therefore increase BC risk. METHODS Using authoritative databases, including International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs and the US Environmental Protection's (EPA) ToxCast, we selected chemicals that induce mammary tumors in rodents, stimulate estradiol or progesterone synthesis, or activate the estrogen receptor (ER) in vitro. We classified these chemicals by their genotoxicity and strength of endocrine activity and calculated the overrepresentation (enrichment) of these KCs among MCs. Finally, we evaluated whether these KCs predict whether a chemical is likely to induce mammary tumors. RESULTS We identified 279 MCs and an additional 642 chemicals that stimulate estrogen or progesterone signaling. MCs were significantly enriched for steroidogenicity, ER agonism, and genotoxicity, supporting the use of these KCs to predict whether a chemical is likely to induce rodent mammary tumors and, by inference, increase BC risk. More MCs were steroidogens than ER agonists, and many increased both estradiol and progesterone. Enrichment among MCs was greater for strong endocrine activity vs. weak or inactive, with a significant trend. DISCUSSION We identified hundreds of compounds that have biological activities that could increase BC risk and demonstrated that these activities are enriched among MCs. We argue that many of these should not be considered low hazard without investigating their ability to affect the breast, and chemicals with the strongest evidence can be targeted for exposure reduction. We describe ways to strengthen hazard identification, including improved assessments for mammary effects, developing assays for more KCs, and more comprehensive chemical testing. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13233.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Megan Schwarzman
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Garnovskaya M, Feshuk M, Stewart W, Friedman KP, Thomas RS, Deisenroth C. Evaluation of a high-throughput H295R homogenous time resolved fluorescence assay for androgen and estrogen steroidogenesis screening. Toxicol In Vitro 2023; 92:105659. [PMID: 37557933 PMCID: PMC10903741 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2023.105659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
The H295R test guideline assay evaluates the effect of test substances on synthesis of 17β-estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T). The objective of this study was to leverage commercial immunoassay technology to develop a more efficient H295R assay to measure E2 and T levels in 384-well format. The resulting Homogenous Time Resolved Fluorescence assay platform (H295R-HTRF) was evaluated against a training set of 36 chemicals derived from the OECD inter-laboratory validation study, EPA guideline 890.1200 aromatase assay, and azole fungicides active in the HT-H295R assay. Quality control performance criteria were met for all conditions except E2 synthesis inhibition where low basal hormone synthesis was observed. Five proficiency chemicals were active for both the E2 and T endpoints, consistent with guideline classifications. Of the nine OECD core reference chemicals, 9/9 were concordant with outcomes for E2 and 7/9 for T. Likewise, 9/13 and 11/13 OECD supplemental chemicals were concordant with anticipated effects for E2 and T, respectively. Of the 10 azole fungicides screened, 7/10 for E2 and 8/10 for T exhibited concordant outcomes for inhibition. Generally, all active chemicals in the training set demonstrated equivalent or greater potency in the H295R-HTRF assay, supporting the sensitivity of the platform. The adaptation of HTRF technology to the H295R model provides an efficient way to evaluate E2 and T modulators in accordance with guideline specifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Garnovskaya
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, United States
| | - Madison Feshuk
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, United States
| | - Wendy Stewart
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, United States
| | - Katie Paul Friedman
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, United States
| | - Russell S Thomas
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, United States
| | - Chad Deisenroth
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, United States.
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Luca E, Zitzmann K, Bornstein S, Kugelmeier P, Beuschlein F, Nölting S, Hantel C. Three Dimensional Models of Endocrine Organs and Target Tissues Regulated by the Endocrine System. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4601. [PMID: 37760571 PMCID: PMC10526768 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Immortalized cell lines originating from tumors and cultured in monolayers in vitro display consistent behavior and response, and generate reproducible results across laboratories. However, for certain endpoints, these cell lines behave quite differently from the original solid tumors. Thereby, the homogeneity of immortalized cell lines and two-dimensionality of monolayer cultures deters from the development of new therapies and translatability of results to the more complex situation in vivo. Organoids originating from tissue biopsies and spheroids from cell lines mimic the heterogeneous and multidimensional characteristics of tumor cells in 3D structures in vitro. Thus, they have the advantage of recapitulating the more complex tissue architecture of solid tumors. In this review, we discuss recent efforts in basic and preclinical cancer research to establish methods to generate organoids/spheroids and living biobanks from endocrine tissues and target organs under endocrine control while striving to achieve solutions in personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edlira Luca
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kathrin Zitzmann
- Department of Medicine IV, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 München, Germany
| | - Stefan Bornstein
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Felix Beuschlein
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Endocrine Research Unit, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Svenja Nölting
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Medicine IV, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 München, Germany
| | - Constanze Hantel
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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Despicht C, Munkboel CH, Chou HN, Ertl P, Rothbauer M, Kutter JP, Styrishave B, Kretschmann A. Towards a microfluidic H295R steroidogenesis assay-biocompatibility study and steroid detection on a thiol-ene-based chip. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023; 415:5421-5436. [PMID: 37438566 PMCID: PMC10444685 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-04816-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The development of cell-based microfluidic assays offers exciting new opportunities in toxicity testing, allowing for integration of new functionalities, automation, and high throughput in comparison to traditional well-plate assays. As endocrine disruption caused by environmental chemicals and pharmaceuticals represents a growing global health burden, the purpose of the current study was to contribute towards the miniaturization of the H295R steroidogenesis assay, from the well-plate to the microfluidic format. Microfluidic chip fabrication with the established well-plate material polystyrene (PS) is expensive and complicated; PDMS and thiol-ene were therefore tested as potential chip materials for microfluidic H295R cell culture, and evaluated in terms of cell attachment, cell viability, and steroid synthesis in the absence and presence of collagen surface modification. Additionally, spike-recovery experiments were performed, to investigate potential steroid adsorption to chip materials. Cell aggregation with poor steroid recoveries was observed for PDMS, while cells formed monolayer cultures on the thiol-ene chip material, with cell viability and steroid synthesis comparable to cells grown on a PS surface. As thiol-ene overall displayed more favorable properties for H295R cell culture, a microfluidic chip design and corresponding cell seeding procedure were successfully developed, achieving repeatable and uniform cell distribution in microfluidic channels. Finally, H295R perfusion culture on thiol-ene chips was investigated at different flow rates (20, 10, and 2.5 µL/min), and 13 steroids were detected in eluting cell medium over 48 h at the lowest flow rate. The presented work and results pave the way for a time-resolved microfluidic H295R steroidogenesis assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Despicht
- Toxicology and Drug Metabolism Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100, Copenhagen OE, Denmark
| | - Cecilie H Munkboel
- Toxicology and Drug Metabolism Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100, Copenhagen OE, Denmark
| | - Hua Nee Chou
- Toxicology and Drug Metabolism Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100, Copenhagen OE, Denmark
| | - Peter Ertl
- Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mario Rothbauer
- Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060, Vienna, Austria
- Karl Chiari Lab for Orthopaedic Biology, Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-22, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jörg P Kutter
- Microscale Analytical Systems, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Univeristy of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, OE, Denmark
| | - Bjarne Styrishave
- Toxicology and Drug Metabolism Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100, Copenhagen OE, Denmark.
| | - Andreas Kretschmann
- Toxicology and Drug Metabolism Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100, Copenhagen OE, Denmark
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Tinwell H, Karmaus A, Gaskell V, Gomes C, Grant C, Holmes T, Jonas A, Kellum S, Krüger K, Malley L, Melching-Kollmuss S, Mercier O, Pandya H, Placke T, Settivari R, De Waen B. Evaluating H295R steroidogenesis assay data for robust interpretation. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 143:105461. [PMID: 37490962 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2023.105461] [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: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
The in vitro H295R steroidogenesis assay (OECD TG 456) is used to determine a chemical's potential to interfere with steroid hormone synthesis/metabolism. As positive outcomes in this assay can trigger significant higher tiered testing, we compiled a stakeholder database of reference and test item H295R data to characterize assay outcomes. Information concerning whether a Level 5 reproductive toxicity study was triggered due to a positive outcome in the H295R assay was also included. Quality control acceptance criteria were not always achieved, suggesting this assay is challenging to conduct within the guideline specifications. Analysis of test item data demonstrated that pairwise significance testing to controls allowed for overly sensitive statistically significant positive outcomes, which likely contribute to the assay's high positive hit rate. Complementary interpretation criteria (e.g., 1.5-fold change threshold) markedly reduced the rate of equivocal and positive outcomes thus improving identification of robust positive effects in the assay. Finally, a case study (positive H295R outcome and no endocrine adversity in vivo) is presented, which suggests that stricter data interpretation criteria could refine necessary in vivo follow-up testing. Overall, the described additional criteria could improve H295R data interpretation and help inform on how to best leverage this assay for regulatory purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Tinwell
- Bayer SAS, 16 Rue Jean-Marie Leclair, 69009, Lyon, France.
| | - A Karmaus
- Inotiv, 601 Keystone Park Drive, Morrisville, NC, 27560, United States
| | - V Gaskell
- Nufarm UK Ltd, Wyke Lane, Bradford, BD12 9EJ, UK
| | - C Gomes
- BASF SE, Experimental Toxicology and Ecology, Carl-Bosch-Strasse 38, 67056, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - C Grant
- Regulatory Science Associates, Kip Marina, Inverkip, Renfrewshire, PA16 OAS, UK
| | - T Holmes
- ADAMA Deutschland GmbH, Edmund-Rumpler-Str. 651149, Koeln (Cologne), Germany
| | - A Jonas
- Sumitomo Chemical Agro Europe, Parc D'Affaires de Crécy, 10A Rue de La Voie Lactée, 69370, Saint Didier Au Mont D'Or, France
| | - S Kellum
- Corteva Agriscience, Haskell R&D Center, 1090 Elkton Rd, Bldg 320, Newark, DE, 19711, USA
| | - K Krüger
- HELM AG, Nordkanalstrasse 28, 20097, Hamburg, Germany
| | - L Malley
- FMC, Stine Research Center, 1090 Elkton Road, Newark, DE, 19711, USA
| | | | - O Mercier
- Sumitomo Chemical Agro Europe, Parc D'Affaires de Crécy, 10A Rue de La Voie Lactée, 69370, Saint Didier Au Mont D'Or, France
| | - H Pandya
- UPL Limited, Mumbai, 400051, India
| | - T Placke
- Syngenta, Rosentalstrasse 67, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - R Settivari
- Corteva Agriscience, Haskell R&D Center, 1090 Elkton Rd, Bldg 320, Newark, DE, 19711, USA
| | - B De Waen
- ISK, De Kleetlaan 12b, 1831, Machelen, Belgium
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Jäger MC, Patt M, González-Ruiz V, Boccard J, Wey T, Winter DV, Rudaz S, Odermatt A. Extended steroid profiling in H295R cells provides deeper insight into chemical-induced disturbances of steroidogenesis: Exemplified by prochloraz and anabolic steroids. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2023; 570:111929. [PMID: 37037411 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.111929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Human adrenocortical H295R cells have been validated by the OECD Test Guideline 456 to detect chemicals disrupting testosterone and 17β-estradiol (estradiol) biosynthesis. This study evaluated a novel approach to detect disturbances of steroidogenesis in H295R cells, exemplified by prochloraz and five anabolic steroids. Steroid profiles were assessed by an untargeted LC-MS-based method, providing a relative quantification of 57 steroids annotated according to their accurate masses and retention times. Such a panel of steroids included several mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, progestins and adrenal androgens. The coverage of a high number of metabolites in this extended steroid profiling facilitated grouping of chemicals with similar effects and detecting subtler differences between chemicals. It allowed, for example, distinguishing between the effects of turinabol and oxymetholone, supposed to act similarly in a previous characterization including only nine adrenal steroids. Furthermore, the results revealed that product/substrate ratios can provide superior information on altered enzyme activities compared to individual metabolite levels. For example, the 17α-hydroxypregnenolone/pregnenolone ratio was found to be a more sensitive marker for detecting 17α-hydroxylase inhibition by prochloraz than the corresponding individual steroids. These results illustrate that chemical grouping and calculation of product/substrate ratios can provide valuable information on mode-of-action and help prioritizing further experimental work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Christin Jäger
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 64, 4055, Basel, Switzerland; Division of Molecular and Systems Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Melanie Patt
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 64, 4055, Basel, Switzerland; Division of Molecular and Systems Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Víctor González-Ruiz
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 64, 4055, Basel, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Geneva 4, Switzerland.
| | - Julien Boccard
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 64, 4055, Basel, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Geneva 4, Switzerland.
| | - Tim Wey
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 64, 4055, Basel, Switzerland; Division of Molecular and Systems Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Denise V Winter
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 64, 4055, Basel, Switzerland; Division of Molecular and Systems Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Serge Rudaz
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 64, 4055, Basel, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Geneva 4, Switzerland.
| | - Alex Odermatt
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 64, 4055, Basel, Switzerland; Division of Molecular and Systems Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
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Cheminformatics analysis of chemicals that increase estrogen and progesterone synthesis for a breast cancer hazard assessment. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20647. [PMID: 36450809 PMCID: PMC9712655 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24889-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Factors that increase estrogen or progesterone (P4) action are well-established as increasing breast cancer risk, and many first-line treatments to prevent breast cancer recurrence work by blocking estrogen synthesis or action. In previous work, using data from an in vitro steroidogenesis assay developed for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ToxCast program, we identified 182 chemicals that increased estradiol (E2up) and 185 that increased progesterone (P4up) in human H295R adrenocortical carcinoma cells, an OECD validated assay for steroidogenesis. Chemicals known to induce mammary effects in vivo were very likely to increase E2 or P4 synthesis, further supporting the importance of these pathways for breast cancer. To identify additional chemical exposures that may increase breast cancer risk through E2 or P4 steroidogenesis, we developed a cheminformatics approach to identify structural features associated with these activities and to predict other E2 or P4 steroidogens from their chemical structures. First, we used molecular descriptors and physicochemical properties to cluster the 2,012 chemicals screened in the steroidogenesis assay using a self-organizing map (SOM). Structural features such as triazine, phenol, or more broadly benzene ramified with halide, amine or alcohol, are enriched for E2 or P4up chemicals. Among E2up chemicals, phenol and benzenone are found as significant substructures, along with nitrogen-containing biphenyls. For P4up chemicals, phenol and complex aromatic systems ramified with oxygen-based groups such as flavone or phenolphthalein are significant substructures. Chemicals that are active for both E2up and P4up are enriched with substructures such as dihydroxy phosphanedithione or are small chemicals that contain one benzene ramified with chlorine, alcohol, methyl or primary amine. These results are confirmed with a chemotype ToxPrint analysis. Then, we used machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms to develop and validate predictive classification QSAR models for E2up and P4up chemicals. These models gave reasonable external prediction performances (balanced accuracy ~ 0.8 and Matthews Coefficient Correlation ~ 0.5) on an external validation. The QSAR models were enriched by adding a confidence score that considers the chemical applicability domain and a ToxPrint assessment of the chemical. This profiling and these models may be useful to direct future testing and risk assessments for chemicals related to breast cancer and other hormonally-mediated outcomes.
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Foster MJ, Patlewicz G, Shah I, Haggard DE, Judson RS, Paul Friedman K. Evaluating structure-based activity in a high-throughput assay for steroid biosynthesis. COMPUTATIONAL TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 24:1-23. [PMID: 37841081 PMCID: PMC10569244 DOI: 10.1016/j.comtox.2022.100245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Data from a high-throughput human adrenocortical carcinoma assay (HT-H295R) for steroid hormone biosynthesis are available for >2000 chemicals in single concentration and 654 chemicals in multi-concentration (mc). Previously, a metric describing the effect size of a chemical on the biosynthesis of 11 hormones was derived using mc data referred to as the maximum mean Mahalanobis distance (maxmMd). However, mc HT-H295R assay data remain unavailable for many chemicals. This work leverages existing HT-H295R assay data by constructing structure-activity relationships to make predictions for data-poor chemicals, including: (1) identification of individual structural descriptors, known as ToxPrint chemotypes, associated with increased odds of affecting estrogen or androgen synthesis; (2) a random forest (RF) classifier using physicochemical property descriptors to predict HT-H295R maxmMd binary (positive or negative) outcomes; and, (3) a local approach to predict maxmMd binary outcomes using nearest neighbors (NNs) based on two types of chemical fingerprints (chemotype or Morgan). Individual chemotypes demonstrated high specificity (85-98%) for modulators of estrogen and androgen synthesis but with low sensitivity. The best RF model for maxmMd classification included 13 predicted physicochemical descriptors, yielding a balanced accuracy (BA) of 71% with only modest improvement when hundreds of structural features were added. The best two NN models for binary maxmMd prediction demonstrated BAs of 85 and 81% using chemotype and Morgan fingerprints, respectively. Using an external test set of 6302 chemicals (lacking HT-H295R data), 1241 were identified as putative estrogen and androgen modulators. Combined results across the three classification models (global RF model and two local NN models) predict that 1033 of the 6302 chemicals would be more likely to affect HT-H295R bioactivity. Together, these in silico approaches can efficiently prioritize thousands of untested chemicals for screening to further evaluate their effects on steroid biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Foster
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27711, USA
- National Student Services Contractor, Oak Ridge Associated Universities
| | - G Patlewicz
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27711, USA
| | - I Shah
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27711, USA
| | - D E Haggard
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27711, USA
| | - R S Judson
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27711, USA
| | - K Paul Friedman
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27711, USA
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Robitaille J, Denslow ND, Escher BI, Kurita-Oyamada HG, Marlatt V, Martyniuk CJ, Navarro-Martín L, Prosser R, Sanderson T, Yargeau V, Langlois VS. Towards regulation of Endocrine Disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in water resources using bioassays - A guide to developing a testing strategy. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 205:112483. [PMID: 34863984 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are found in every environmental medium and are chemically diverse. Their presence in water resources can negatively impact the health of both human and wildlife. Currently, there are no mandatory screening mandates or regulations for EDC levels in complex water samples globally. Bioassays, which allow quantifying in vivo or in vitro biological effects of chemicals are used commonly to assess acute toxicity in water. The existing OECD framework to identify single-compound EDCs offers a set of bioassays that are validated for the Estrogen-, Androgen-, and Thyroid hormones, and for Steroidogenesis pathways (EATS). In this review, we discussed bioassays that could be potentially used to screen EDCs in water resources, including in vivo and in vitro bioassays using invertebrates, fish, amphibians, and/or mammalians species. Strengths and weaknesses of samples preparation for complex water samples are discussed. We also review how to calculate the Effect-Based Trigger values, which could serve as thresholds to determine if a given water sample poses a risk based on existing quality standards. This work aims to assist governments and regulatory agencies in developing a testing strategy towards regulation of EDCs in water resources worldwide. The main recommendations include 1) opting for internationally validated cell reporter in vitro bioassays to reduce animal use & cost; 2) testing for cell viability (a critical parameter) when using in vitro bioassays; and 3) evaluating the recovery of the water sample preparation method selected. This review also highlights future research avenues for the EDC screening revolution (e.g., 3D tissue culture, transgenic animals, OMICs, and Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs)).
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Robitaille
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut National de La Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | | | - Beate I Escher
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany; Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Vicki Marlatt
- Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Laia Navarro-Martín
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Thomas Sanderson
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, INRS, Laval, QC, Canada
| | | | - Valerie S Langlois
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut National de La Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Quebec City, QC, Canada.
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12
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Liu L, Cui H, Huang Y, Zhou Y, Hu J, Wan Y. Enzyme-Mediated Reactions of Phenolic Pollutants and Endogenous Metabolites as an Overlooked Metabolic Disruption Pathway. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:3634-3644. [PMID: 35238542 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c08141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
It is generally recognized that phenol-containing molecules mainly undergo phase II metabolic reactions, whereas glucuronide and sulfate are conjugated to form water-soluble products. Here, we report direct reactions of phenolic pollutants (triclosan, alkylphenol, bisphenol A [BPA], and its analogues) and some endogenous metabolites (vitamin E [VE] and estradiol) to generate new lipophilic ether products (e.g., BPA-O-VEs and alkylphenol-O-estradiol). A nontargeted screening strategy was used to identify the products in human liver microsome incubations, and the most abundant products (BPA-O-VEs) were confirmed via in vivo exposure in mice. BPA-O-VEs were frequently detected in sera from the general population at levels comparable to those of glucuronide/sulfate-conjugated BPA. Recombinant human cytochrome P450s were applied to find that CYP3A4 catalyzed the formation of these newly discovered ether metabolites by linking the VE hydroxyl group to the BPA phenolic ring, leading to the significantly reduced antioxidative activities of BPA-O-VEs compared to VEs. The effects of the reaction on the homeostasis of reacted biomolecules were finally assessed by in vitro assay and in vivo mice exposures. The generation of BPA-O-VEs decreased the VE concentrations and increased the reactive oxygen species generation after exposure to BPA at environmentally relevant concentrations. The identified reactions provided an overlooked metabolic disruption pathway for phenolic pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Liu
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Hongyang Cui
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yixuan Huang
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yulan Zhou
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jianying Hu
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yi Wan
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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Barton-Maclaren TS, Wade M, Basu N, Bayen S, Grundy J, Marlatt V, Moore R, Parent L, Parrott J, Grigorova P, Pinsonnault-Cooper J, Langlois VS. Innovation in regulatory approaches for endocrine disrupting chemicals: The journey to risk assessment modernization in Canada. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:112225. [PMID: 34666016 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Globally, regulatory authorities grapple with the challenge of assessing the hazards and risks to human and ecosystem health that may result from exposure to chemicals that disrupt the normal functioning of endocrine systems. Rapidly increasing number of chemicals in commerce, coupled with the reliance on traditional, costly animal experiments for hazard characterization - often with limited sensitivity to many important mechanisms of endocrine disruption -, presents ongoing challenges for chemical regulation. The consequence is a limited number of chemicals for which there is sufficient data to assess if there is endocrine toxicity and hence few chemicals with thorough hazard characterization. To address this challenge, regulatory assessment of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is benefiting from a revolution in toxicology that focuses on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to more rapidly identify, prioritize, and assess the potential risks from exposure to chemicals using novel, more efficient, and more mechanistically driven methodologies and tools. Incorporated into Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATA) and guided by conceptual frameworks such as Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs), emerging approaches focus initially on molecular interactions between the test chemical and potentially vulnerable biological systems instead of the need for animal toxicity data. These new toxicity testing methods can be complemented with in silico and computational toxicology approaches, including those that predict chemical kinetics. Coupled with exposure data, these will inform risk-based decision-making approaches. Canada is part of a global network collaborating on building confidence in the use of NAMs for regulatory assessment of EDCs. Herein, we review the current approaches to EDC regulation globally (mainly from the perspective of human health), and provide a perspective on how the advances for regulatory testing and assessment can be applied and discuss the promises and challenges faced in adopting these novel approaches to minimize risks due to EDC exposure in Canada, and our world.
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Affiliation(s)
- T S Barton-Maclaren
- Existing Substances Risk Assessment Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Canada.
| | - M Wade
- Environmental Health Centre, Environmental Health, Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - N Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Ste Anne de Bellevue, QC, Canada
| | - S Bayen
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Ste Anne de Bellevue, QC, Canada
| | - J Grundy
- New Substances Assessment and Control Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Canada
| | - V Marlatt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - R Moore
- New Substances Assessment and Control Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Canada
| | - L Parent
- Département Science et Technologie, Université TÉLUQ, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - J Parrott
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - P Grigorova
- Département Science et Technologie, Université TÉLUQ, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - J Pinsonnault-Cooper
- New Substances Assessment and Control Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Canada
| | - V S Langlois
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Quebec City, QC, Canada
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Burden N, Embry MR, Hutchinson TH, Lynn SG, Maynard SK, Mitchell CA, Pellizzato F, Sewell F, Thorpe KL, Weltje L, Wheeler JR. Investigating endocrine-disrupting properties of chemicals in fish and amphibians: Opportunities to apply the 3Rs. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2022; 18:442-458. [PMID: 34292658 PMCID: PMC9292818 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Many regulations are beginning to explicitly require investigation of a chemical's endocrine-disrupting properties as a part of the safety assessment process for substances already on or about to be placed on the market. Different jurisdictions are applying distinct approaches. However, all share a common theme requiring testing for endocrine activity and adverse effects, typically involving in vitro and in vivo assays on selected endocrine pathways. For ecotoxicological evaluation, in vivo assays can be performed across various animal species, including mammals, amphibians, and fish. Results indicating activity (i.e., that a test substance may interact with the endocrine system) from in vivo screens usually trigger further higher-tier in vivo assays. Higher-tier assays provide data on adverse effects on relevant endpoints over more extensive parts of the organism's life cycle. Both in vivo screening and higher-tier assays are animal- and resource-intensive and can be technically challenging to conduct. Testing large numbers of chemicals will inevitably result in the use of large numbers of animals, contradicting stipulations set out within many regulatory frameworks that animal studies be conducted as a last resort. Improved strategies are urgently required. In February 2020, the UK's National Centre for the 3Rs and the Health and Environmental Sciences Institute hosted a workshop ("Investigating Endocrine Disrupting Properties in Fish and Amphibians: Opportunities to Apply the 3Rs"). Over 50 delegates attended from North America and Europe, across academia, laboratories, and consultancies, regulatory agencies, and industry. Challenges and opportunities in applying refinement and reduction approaches within the current animal test guidelines were discussed, and utilization of replacement and/or new approach methodologies, including in silico, in vitro, and embryo models, was explored. Efforts and activities needed to enable application of 3Rs approaches in practice were also identified. This article provides an overview of the workshop discussions and sets priority areas for follow-up. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:442-458. © 2021 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thomas H. Hutchinson
- School of Geography, Earth & Environmental SciencesUniversity of PlymouthPlymouthUK
| | - Scott G. Lynn
- US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Office of Science Coordination and PolicyWashingtonDCUSA
- Present address:
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Office of Pesticide ProgramsWashingtonDCUSA
| | | | | | | | | | - Karen L. Thorpe
- Centre for Chemical Safety and StewardshipFera Science Ltd.YorkUK
| | - Lennart Weltje
- BASF SE, Agricultural Solutions−EcotoxicologyLimburgerhofGermany
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15
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Wang X, Luu T, Beal MA, Barton-Maclaren TS, Robaire B, Hales BF. The Effects of Organophosphate Esters Used as Flame Retardants and Plasticizers on Granulosa, Leydig, and Spermatogonial Cells Analyzed Using High-Content Imaging. Toxicol Sci 2022; 186:269-287. [PMID: 35135005 PMCID: PMC8963303 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfac012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The replacement of regulated brominated flame retardants and plasticizers with organophosphate esters (OPEs) has led to their pervasive presence in the environment and in biological matrices. Further, there is evidence that exposure to some of these chemicals is associated with reproductive toxicity. Using a high-content imaging approach, we assessed the effects of exposure to 9 OPEs on cells related to reproductive function: KGN human granulosa cells, MA-10 mouse Leydig cells, and C18-4 mouse spermatogonial cells. The effects of OPEs were compared with those of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), a legacy brominated flame retardant. Alterations in several important cell features, including cell survival, mitochondrial dynamics, oxidative stress, lysosomes, and lipid droplets, were analyzed. Most of the OPEs tested displayed higher cytotoxicity than BDE-47 in all 3 cell lines. Effects on phenotypic parameters were specific for each cell type. Several OPEs increased total mitochondria, decreased lysosomes, increased the total area of lipid droplets, and induced oxidative stress in KGN cells; these endpoints were differentially affected in MA-10 and C18-4 cells. Alterations in cell phenotypes were highly correlated in the 2 steroidogenic cell lines for a few triaryl OPEs. Potency ranking using 2 complementary approaches, Toxicological Prioritization Index analyses and the lowest benchmark concentration/administered equivalent dose method, revealed that while most of the OPEs tested were more potent than BDE-47, others showed little to no effect. We propose that these approaches serve as lines of evidence in a screening strategy to identify the potential for reproductive and endocrine effects of emerging chemicals and assist in regulatory decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Wang
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Trang Luu
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Marc A Beal
- Existing Substances Risk Assessment Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Tara S Barton-Maclaren
- Existing Substances Risk Assessment Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Bernard Robaire
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Barbara F Hales
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Room 110, Montreal, QC H3G1Y6, Canada. E-mail:
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17
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Deisenroth C, DeGroot DE, Zurlinden T, Eicher A, McCord J, Lee MY, Carmichael P, Thomas RS. The Alginate Immobilization of Metabolic Enzymes Platform Retrofits an Estrogen Receptor Transactivation Assay With Metabolic Competence. Toxicol Sci 2021; 178:281-301. [PMID: 32991717 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfaa147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The U.S. EPA Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program utilizes data across the ToxCast/Tox21 high-throughput screening (HTS) programs to evaluate the biological effects of potential endocrine active substances. A potential limitation to the use of in vitro assay data in regulatory decision-making is the lack of coverage for xenobiotic metabolic processes. Both hepatic- and peripheral-tissue metabolism can yield metabolites that exhibit greater activity than the parent compound (bioactivation) or are inactive (bioinactivation) for a given biological target. Interpretation of biological effect data for both putative endocrine active substances, as well as other chemicals, screened in HTS assays may benefit from the addition of xenobiotic metabolic capabilities to decrease the uncertainty in predicting potential hazards to human health. The objective of this study was to develop an approach to retrofit existing HTS assays with hepatic metabolism. The Alginate Immobilization of Metabolic Enzymes (AIME) platform encapsulates hepatic S9 fractions in alginate microspheres attached to 96-well peg lids. Functional characterization across a panel of reference substrates for phase I cytochrome P450 enzymes revealed substrate depletion with expected metabolite accumulation. Performance of the AIME method in the VM7Luc estrogen receptor transactivation assay was evaluated across 15 reference chemicals and 48 test chemicals that yield metabolites previously identified as estrogen receptor active or inactive. The results demonstrate the utility of applying the AIME method for identification of false-positive and false-negative target assay effects, reprioritization of hazard based on metabolism-dependent bioactivity, and enhanced in vivo concordance with the rodent uterotrophic bioassay. Integration of the AIME metabolism method may prove useful for future biochemical and cell-based HTS applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad Deisenroth
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - Danica E DeGroot
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - Todd Zurlinden
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - Andrew Eicher
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - James McCord
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - Mi-Young Lee
- Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Unilever, Colworth Science, Park, Bedford, Sharnbrook MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Paul Carmichael
- Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Unilever, Colworth Science, Park, Bedford, Sharnbrook MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Russell S Thomas
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
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Guyton KZ, Schubauer-Berigan MK. Invited Perspective: Prioritizing Chemical Testing and Evaluation Using Validated in Vitro Assays Relevant to Key Characteristics. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:71303. [PMID: 34287027 PMCID: PMC8312475 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Z Guyton
- IARC Monographs, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
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19
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Cardona B, Rudel RA. Application of an in Vitro Assay to Identify Chemicals That Increase Estradiol and Progesterone Synthesis and Are Potential Breast Cancer Risk Factors. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:77003. [PMID: 34287026 PMCID: PMC8293912 DOI: 10.1289/ehp8608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Established breast cancer risk factors, such as hormone replacement therapy and reproductive history, are thought to act by increasing estrogen and progesterone (P4) activity. OBJECTIVE We aimed to use in vitro screening data to identify chemicals that increase the synthesis of estradiol (E2) or P4 and evaluate potential risks. METHOD Using data from a high-throughput (HT) in vitro steroidogenesis assay developed for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ToxCast program, we identified chemicals that increased estradiol (E2-up) or progesterone (P4-up) in human H295R adrenocortical carcinoma cells. We prioritized chemicals by their activity. We compiled in vivo studies and assessments about carcinogenicity and reproductive/developmental (repro/dev) toxicity. We identified exposure sources and predicted intakes from the U.S. EPA's ExpoCast. RESULTS We found 296 chemicals increased E2 (182) or P4 (185), with 71 chemicals increasing both. In vivo data often showed effects consistent with this mechanism. Of the E2- and P4-up chemicals, about 30% were likely repro/dev toxicants or carcinogens, whereas only 5-13% were classified as unlikely. However, most of the chemicals had insufficient in vivo data to evaluate their effects. Of 45 chemicals associated with mammary gland effects, and also tested in the H294R assay, 29 increased E2 or P4, including the well-known mammary carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene. E2- and P4-up chemicals include pesticides, consumer product ingredients, food additives, and drinking water contaminants. DISCUSSION The U.S. EPA's in vitro screening data identified several hundred chemicals that should be considered as potential risk factors for breast cancer because they increased E2 or P4 synthesis. In vitro data is a helpful addition to current toxicity assessments, which are not sensitive to mammary gland effects. Relevant effects on the mammary gland are often not noticed or are dismissed, including for 2,4-dichlorophenol and cyfluthrin. Fifty-three active E2-up and 59 active P4-up chemicals that are in consumer products, food, pesticides, or drugs have not been evaluated for carcinogenic potential and are priorities for study and exposure reduction. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8608.
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Draskau MK, Rosenmai AK, Scholze M, Pedersen M, Boberg J, Christiansen S, Svingen T. Human-relevant concentrations of the antifungal drug clotrimazole disrupt maternal and fetal steroid hormone profiles in rats. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2021; 422:115554. [PMID: 33910022 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2021.115554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Clotrimazole is a non-prescription and broad-spectrum antifungal drug sold under brand names such as Canesten® and Lotrimin®. It is used to treat different types of fungal infections, from oral thrush to athlete's foot and vaginal mycosis. The level of exposure to clotrimazole is uncertain, as the exact usage amongst self-medicating patients is unclear. Recent studies have raised potential concern about the unsupervised use of clotrimazole during pregnancy, especially since it is a potent inhibitor of CYP enzymes of the steroidogenesis pathway. To address some of these concerns, we have assessed the effects of intrauterine exposure to clotrimazole on developing rat fetuses. By exposing pregnant rats to clotrimazole 25 or 75 mg/kg bw/day during gestation days 7-21, we obtained internal fetal concentrations close to those observed in humans. These in vivo data are in strong agreement with our physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBK)-modelled levels. At these doses, we observed no obvious morphological changes to the reproductive system, nor shorter male anogenital distance; a well-established morphometric marker for anti-androgenic effects in male offspring. However, steroid hormone profiles were significantly affected in both maternal and fetal plasma, in particular pronounced suppression of estrogens was seen. In fetal testes, marked up-concentration of hydroxyprogesterone was observed, which indicates a specific action on steroidogenesis. Since systemic clotrimazole is rapidly metabolized in humans, relevant exposure levels may not in itself cause adverse changes to the reproductive systems. Its capacity to significantly alter steroid hormone concentrations, however, suggests that clotrimazole should be used with caution during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Kam Draskau
- Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 202, Kongens Lyngby DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Anna Kjerstine Rosenmai
- Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 202, Kongens Lyngby DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Martin Scholze
- Division of Environmental Studies, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Mikael Pedersen
- Research Group for Analytical Food Chemistry, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 202, Kongens Lyngby DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Julie Boberg
- Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 202, Kongens Lyngby DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Sofie Christiansen
- Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 202, Kongens Lyngby DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Terje Svingen
- Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 202, Kongens Lyngby DK-2800, Denmark.
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Villeneuve DL, Blackwell BR, Cavallin JE, Cheng WY, Feifarek DJ, Jensen KM, Kahl MW, Milsk RY, Poole ST, Randolph EC, Saari TW, Ankley GT. Case Study in 21st Century Ecotoxicology: Using In Vitro Aromatase Inhibition Data to Predict Short-Term In Vivo Responses in Adult Female Fish. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:1155-1170. [PMID: 33332681 PMCID: PMC8127875 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The present study evaluated whether in vitro measures of aromatase inhibition as inputs into a quantitative adverse outcome pathway (qAOP) construct could effectively predict in vivo effects on 17β-estradiol (E2) and vitellogenin (VTG) concentrations in female fathead minnows. Five chemicals identified as aromatase inhibitors in mammalian-based ToxCast assays were screened for their ability to inhibit fathead minnow aromatase in vitro. Female fathead minnows were then exposed to 3 of those chemicals: letrozole, epoxiconazole, and imazalil in concentration-response (5 concentrations plus control) for 24 h. Consistent with AOP-based expectations, all 3 chemicals caused significant reductions in plasma E2 and hepatic VTG transcription. Characteristic compensatory upregulation of aromatase and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (fshr) transcripts in the ovary were observed for letrozole but not for the other 2 compounds. Considering the overall patterns of concentration-response and temporal concordance among endpoints, data from the in vivo experiments strengthen confidence in the qualitative relationships outlined by the AOP. Quantitatively, the qAOP model provided predictions that fell within the standard error of measured data for letrozole but not for imazalil and epoxiconazole. However, the inclusion of measured plasma concentrations of the test chemicals as inputs improved model predictions, with all predictions falling within the range of measured values. Results highlight both the utility and limitations of the qAOP and its potential use in 21st century ecotoxicology. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1155-1170. © 2020 SETAC. This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel L. Villeneuve
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
- Address Correspondence to
| | - Brett R. Blackwell
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Jenna E. Cavallin
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Wan-Yun Cheng
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Integrated Systems Toxicology Division, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - David J. Feifarek
- Student Services Contractor, US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Kathleen M. Jensen
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Michael W. Kahl
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Rebecca Y. Milsk
- ORISE Participant, US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Shane T. Poole
- Student Services Contractor, US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Eric C. Randolph
- ORISE Participant, US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Travis W. Saari
- Student Services Contractor, US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Gerald T. Ankley
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, MN, USA
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22
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Piper T, Heimbach S, Adamczewski M, Thevis M. An in vitro assay approach to investigate the potential impact of different doping agents on the steroid profile. Drug Test Anal 2020; 13:916-928. [PMID: 33283964 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The steroid profile, that is, the urinary concentrations and concentration ratios of selected steroids, is used in sports drug testing to detect the misuse of endogenous steroids such as testosterone. Since several years, not only population-based thresholds are applied but also the steroid profile is monitored via the Athlete Biological Passport whereby the individual reference ranges derived from multiple test results of the same athlete are compared to population-based thresholds. In order to maintain a high probative force of the passport, samples collected or analyzed under suboptimal conditions should not be included in the longitudinal review. This applies to biologically affected or degraded samples and to samples excluded owing to the presence of other substances potentially (or evidently) altering the steroid profile. Nineteen different doping agents comprising anabolic steroids, selective androgen receptor modulators, selective estrogen receptor modulators, ibutamoren, and tibolone were investigated for their effect on the steroid profile using an androgen receptor activation test, an androgen receptor binding assay, an aromatase assay, and a steroidogenesis assay. The in vitro tests were coupled with well-established liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry-based analytical approaches and for a subset of steroidal analytes by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The variety of tests employed should produce a comprehensive data set to better understand how a compound under investigation may impact the steroid profile. Although our data set may allow an estimate of whether or not a substance will have an impact on the overall steroid metabolism, predicting which parameter in particular may be influenced remains difficult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Piper
- Center for Preventive Doping Research, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sonja Heimbach
- Research & Development, Crop Science, in vitro Toxicology, Bayer AG, Monheim, Germany
| | - Martin Adamczewski
- Research & Development, Crop Science, in vitro Toxicology, Bayer AG, Monheim, Germany
| | - Mario Thevis
- Center for Preventive Doping Research, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping Agents (EuMoCEDA), Cologne/Bonn, Germany
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23
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Cardona B, Rudel RA. US EPA's regulatory pesticide evaluations need clearer guidelines for considering mammary gland tumors and other mammary gland effects. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 518:110927. [PMID: 32645345 PMCID: PMC9183204 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer risk from pesticides may be missed if effects on mammary gland are not assessed in toxicology studies required for registration. Using US EPA's registration documents, we identified pesticides that cause mammary tumors or alter development, and evaluated how those findings were considered in risk assessment. Of 28 pesticides that produced mammary tumors, EPA's risk assessment acknowledges those tumors for nine and dismisses the remaining cases. For five pesticides that alter mammary gland development, the implications for lactation and cancer risk are not assessed. Many of the mammary-active pesticides activate pathways related to endocrine disruption: altering steroid synthesis in H295R cells, activating nuclear receptors, or affecting xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes. Clearer guidelines based on breast cancer biology would strengthen assessment of mammary gland effects, including sensitive histology and hormone measures. Potential cancer risks from several common pesticides should be re-evaluated, including: malathion, triclopyr, atrazine, propylene oxide, and 3-iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC).
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24
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Kurlbaum M, Sbiera S, Kendl S, Martin Fassnacht M, Kroiss M. Steroidogenesis in the NCI-H295 Cell Line Model is Strongly Affected By Culture Conditions and Substrain. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2020; 128:672-680. [PMID: 32349159 DOI: 10.1055/a-1105-6332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT NCI-H295 cells are the most widely used model for adrenal steroidogenesis and adrenocortical carcinoma and have been used for decades in laboratories worldwide. However, reported steroidogenic properties differ considerably. OBJECTIVE To evaluate heterogeneity of steroidogenesis among NCI-H295 cell strains, clarify the influence of culture media and test response to inhibitors of steroidogenesis by using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). METHODS NCI-H295 cells were obtained from two cell banks and cultivated in different media. An LC-MS/MS-based panel analysis of thirteen steroids was adapted for cell culture supernatant. Cells were treated with metyrapone, abiraterone and mitotane. RESULTS Mineralocorticoid synthesis was strongly affected by passaging as reflected by reduction of aldosterone secretion from 0.158±0.006 to 0.017±0.001 µg/106 cells (p<0.05). Relevant differences were also found for cells from two vendors in terms of aldosterone secretion (0.180±0.001 vs. 0.09±0.002 µg/106 cells, p<0.05). Selection of medium strongly impacted on cortisol secretion with>4-fold difference (40.6±5.5 vs. 182.1±23 µg/106 cells) and reflected differential activation of the glucocorticoid pathway. Exposure to abiraterone, metyrapone and mitotane resulted in characteristic steroidogenic profiles consistent with known mechanism of drug action with considerable differences in metabolites upstream of the blocked enzyme. CONCLUSION We demonstrate that steroid hormone secretion in NCI-H295 cells is strongly affected by the individual strain, passage and growing conditions. These factors should be taken into account in the evaluation of experiments analyzing steroid parameters directly or as surrogate parameters of cell viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Kurlbaum
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Würzburg, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- University Hospital Würzburg, Central Laboratory, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Silviu Sbiera
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Würzburg, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Kendl
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Würzburg, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- University Hospital Würzburg, Central Laboratory, Würzburg, Germany
| | - M Martin Fassnacht
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Würzburg, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- University Hospital Würzburg, Central Laboratory, Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Kroiss
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Würzburg, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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25
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Doering JA, Villeneuve DL, Fay KA, Randolph EC, Jensen KM, Kahl MD, LaLone CA, Ankley GT. Differential Sensitivity to In Vitro Inhibition of Cytochrome P450 Aromatase (CYP19) Activity Among 18 Freshwater Fishes. Toxicol Sci 2020; 170:394-403. [PMID: 31099392 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfz115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There is significant concern regarding potential impairment of fish reproduction associated with endocrine disrupting chemicals. Aromatase (CYP19) is a steroidogenic enzyme involved in the conversion of androgens to estrogens. Inhibition of aromatase by chemicals can result in reduced concentrations of estrogens leading to adverse reproductive effects. These effects have been extensively investigated in a small number of laboratory model fishes, such as fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes), and zebrafish (Danio rerio). But, differences in sensitivity among species are largely unknown. Therefore, this study took a first step toward understanding potential differences in sensitivity to aromatase inhibitors among fishes. Specifically, a standard in vitro aromatase inhibition assay using subcellular fractions of whole tissue homogenates was used to evaluate the potential sensitivity of 18 phylogenetically diverse species of freshwater fish to the nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor fadrozole. Sensitivity to fadrozole ranged by more than 52-fold among these species. Five species were further investigated for sensitivity to up to 4 additional nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors, letrozole, imazalil, prochloraz, and propiconazole. Potencies of each of these chemicals relative to fadrozole ranged by up to 2 orders of magnitude among the 5 species. Fathead minnow, Japanese medaka, and zebrafish were among the least sensitive to all the investigated chemicals; therefore, ecological risks of aromatase inhibitors derived from these species might not be adequately protective of more sensitive native fishes. This information could guide more objective ecological risk assessments of native fishes to chemicals that inhibit aromatase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon A Doering
- Mid-Continent Ecology Division.,National Research Council, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
| | | | - Kellie A Fay
- Mid-Continent Ecology Division.,Biology Department, University of Minnesota-Duluth
| | - Eric C Randolph
- Oak Ridge Institute of Science Education, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota
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26
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Yue S, Zhang T, Shen Q, Song Q, Ji C, Chen Y, Mao M, Kong Y, Chen D, Liu J, Sun Z, Zhao M. Assessment of endocrine-disrupting effects of emerging polyhalogenated carbazoles (PHCZs): In vitro, in silico, and in vivo evidence. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 140:105729. [PMID: 32344252 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Polyhalogenated carbazoles (PHCZs) are an emerging class of persistent, bioaccumulative compounds that are structurally and chemically related to dioxins. They have been detected widely in sediment, river, and soil samples, but their environmental risks are largely unknown. Therefore, seven common PHCZs were tested for their endocrine disrupting potential in silico, in vitro, and in vivo. A dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to detect receptor-mediated (agonist or antagonistic) activity (concentration range: 10-9-10-5 M) against the estrogen receptor α (ERα), glucocorticoid receptor α (GRα), and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). The alterations in the steroidogenesis pathway were investigated in H295R cells. Antagonistic effects against GRα were observed with five PHCZs, along with an increase in the cortisol levels of H295R cells. The most common effect observed was that of the agonistic activity of ERα, with the molecular docking analysis further indicating that hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions may stabilize the interaction between PHCZs and the estrogen receptor binding pocket. In addition, a seven-day exposure of young female rats to three PHCZs (27-BCZ, 3-BCZ, and 36-BCZ) resulted in changes in serum E2 levels, uterine epithelium cell heights, and relative uterus weights. In conclusion, endocrine-disrupting effects, especially the estrogenic effects, were observed for the tested PHCZs. Such adverse effects of PHCZs on humans and wildlife warrant further thorough investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqing Yue
- College of Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Blood, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Qiqi Shen
- College of Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Qin Song
- College of Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Chenyang Ji
- College of Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Yuanchen Chen
- College of Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Manfei Mao
- College of Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Yuan Kong
- College of Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Da Chen
- School of Environment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jing Liu
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhe Sun
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Meirong Zhao
- College of Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China.
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27
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van der Ven LTM, Rorije E, Sprong RC, Zink D, Derr R, Hendriks G, Loo LH, Luijten M. A Case Study with Triazole Fungicides to Explore Practical Application of Next-Generation Hazard Assessment Methods for Human Health. Chem Res Toxicol 2020; 33:834-848. [PMID: 32041405 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.9b00484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The ongoing developments in chemical risk assessment have led to new concepts building on integration of sophisticated nonanimal models for hazard characterization. Here we explore a pragmatic approach for implementing such concepts, using a case study of three triazole fungicides, namely, flusilazole, propiconazole, and cyproconazole. The strategy applied starts with evaluating the overall level of concern by comparing exposure estimates to toxicological potential, followed by a combination of in silico tools and literature-derived high-throughput screening assays and computational elaborations to obtain insight into potential toxicological mechanisms and targets in the organism. Additionally, some targeted in vitro tests were evaluated for their utility to confirm suspected mechanisms of toxicity and to generate points of departure. Toxicological mechanisms instead of the current "end point-by-end point" approach should guide the selection of methods and assays that constitute a toolbox for next-generation risk assessment. Comparison of the obtained in silico and in vitro results with data from traditional in vivo testing revealed that, overall, nonanimal methods for hazard identification can produce adequate qualitative hazard information for risk assessment. Follow-up studies are needed to further refine the proposed approach, including the composition of the toolbox, toxicokinetics models, and models for exposure assessment.
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28
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Mansouri K, Kleinstreuer N, Abdelaziz AM, Alberga D, Alves VM, Andersson PL, Andrade CH, Bai F, Balabin I, Ballabio D, Benfenati E, Bhhatarai B, Boyer S, Chen J, Consonni V, Farag S, Fourches D, García-Sosa AT, Gramatica P, Grisoni F, Grulke CM, Hong H, Horvath D, Hu X, Huang R, Jeliazkova N, Li J, Li X, Liu H, Manganelli S, Mangiatordi GF, Maran U, Marcou G, Martin T, Muratov E, Nguyen DT, Nicolotti O, Nikolov NG, Norinder U, Papa E, Petitjean M, Piir G, Pogodin P, Poroikov V, Qiao X, Richard AM, Roncaglioni A, Ruiz P, Rupakheti C, Sakkiah S, Sangion A, Schramm KW, Selvaraj C, Shah I, Sild S, Sun L, Taboureau O, Tang Y, Tetko IV, Todeschini R, Tong W, Trisciuzzi D, Tropsha A, Van Den Driessche G, Varnek A, Wang Z, Wedebye EB, Williams AJ, Xie H, Zakharov AV, Zheng Z, Judson RS. CoMPARA: Collaborative Modeling Project for Androgen Receptor Activity. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2020; 128:27002. [PMID: 32074470 DOI: 10.23645/epacomptox.5176876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are xenobiotics that mimic the interaction of natural hormones and alter synthesis, transport, or metabolic pathways. The prospect of EDCs causing adverse health effects in humans and wildlife has led to the development of scientific and regulatory approaches for evaluating bioactivity. This need is being addressed using high-throughput screening (HTS) in vitro approaches and computational modeling. OBJECTIVES In support of the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) led two worldwide consortiums to virtually screen chemicals for their potential estrogenic and androgenic activities. Here, we describe the Collaborative Modeling Project for Androgen Receptor Activity (CoMPARA) efforts, which follows the steps of the Collaborative Estrogen Receptor Activity Prediction Project (CERAPP). METHODS The CoMPARA list of screened chemicals built on CERAPP's list of 32,464 chemicals to include additional chemicals of interest, as well as simulated ToxCast™ metabolites, totaling 55,450 chemical structures. Computational toxicology scientists from 25 international groups contributed 91 predictive models for binding, agonist, and antagonist activity predictions. Models were underpinned by a common training set of 1,746 chemicals compiled from a combined data set of 11 ToxCast™/Tox21 HTS in vitro assays. RESULTS The resulting models were evaluated using curated literature data extracted from different sources. To overcome the limitations of single-model approaches, CoMPARA predictions were combined into consensus models that provided averaged predictive accuracy of approximately 80% for the evaluation set. DISCUSSION The strengths and limitations of the consensus predictions were discussed with example chemicals; then, the models were implemented into the free and open-source OPERA application to enable screening of new chemicals with a defined applicability domain and accuracy assessment. This implementation was used to screen the entire EPA DSSTox database of ∼875,000 chemicals, and their predicted AR activities have been made available on the EPA CompTox Chemicals dashboard and National Toxicology Program's Integrated Chemical Environment. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5580.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamel Mansouri
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
- ScitoVation LLC, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
- Integrated Laboratory Systems, Inc., Morrisville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Nicole Kleinstreuer
- National Toxicology Program Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ahmed M Abdelaziz
- Technische Universität München, Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan für Ernährung, Landnutzung und Umwelt, Department für Biowissenschaftliche Grundlagen, Weihenstephaner Steig 23, 85350 Freising, Germany
| | - Domenico Alberga
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Vinicius M Alves
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Carolina H Andrade
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Fang Bai
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, China
| | - Ilya Balabin
- Information Systems & Global Solutions (IS&GS), Lockheed Martin, USA
| | - Davide Ballabio
- Milano Chemometrics and QSAR Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Emilio Benfenati
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Barun Bhhatarai
- QSAR Research Unit in Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Scott Boyer
- Swedish Toxicology Sciences Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Södertälje, Sweden
| | - Jingwen Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Viviana Consonni
- Milano Chemometrics and QSAR Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Sherif Farag
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Denis Fourches
- Department of Chemistry, Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Paola Gramatica
- QSAR Research Unit in Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Francesca Grisoni
- Milano Chemometrics and QSAR Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Chris M Grulke
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Huixiao Hong
- Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Center for Toxicology Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas, USA
| | - Dragos Horvath
- Laboratoire de Chémoinformatique-UMR7140, University of Strasbourg/CNRS, Strasbourg, France
| | - Xin Hu
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Ruili Huang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Jiazhong Li
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, China
| | - Xuehua Li
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | | | - Serena Manganelli
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Uko Maran
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Gilles Marcou
- Laboratoire de Chémoinformatique-UMR7140, University of Strasbourg/CNRS, Strasbourg, France
| | - Todd Martin
- National Risk Management Research Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Eugene Muratov
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dac-Trung Nguyen
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Orazio Nicolotti
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Nikolai G Nikolov
- Division of Risk Assessment and Nutrition, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulf Norinder
- Swedish Toxicology Sciences Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Södertälje, Sweden
| | - Ester Papa
- QSAR Research Unit in Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Michel Petitjean
- Computational Modeling of Protein-Ligand Interactions (CMPLI)-INSERM UMR 8251, INSERM ERL U1133, Functional and Adaptative Biology (BFA), Universite de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Geven Piir
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Pavel Pogodin
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry IBMC, 10 Building 8, Pogodinskaya st., Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Vladimir Poroikov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry IBMC, 10 Building 8, Pogodinskaya st., Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Xianliang Qiao
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Ann M Richard
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Patricia Ruiz
- Computational Toxicology and Methods Development Laboratory, Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Chetan Rupakheti
- National Risk Management Research Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Sugunadevi Sakkiah
- Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Center for Toxicology Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas, USA
| | - Alessandro Sangion
- QSAR Research Unit in Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Karl-Werner Schramm
- Technische Universität München, Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan für Ernährung, Landnutzung und Umwelt, Department für Biowissenschaftliche Grundlagen, Weihenstephaner Steig 23, 85350 Freising, Germany
| | - Chandrabose Selvaraj
- Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Center for Toxicology Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas, USA
| | - Imran Shah
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sulev Sild
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Lixia Sun
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Olivier Taboureau
- Computational Modeling of Protein-Ligand Interactions (CMPLI)-INSERM UMR 8251, INSERM ERL U1133, Functional and Adaptative Biology (BFA), Universite de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Yun Tang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Igor V Tetko
- BIGCHEM GmbH, Neuherberg, Germany
- Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen - German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Roberto Todeschini
- Milano Chemometrics and QSAR Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Weida Tong
- Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Center for Toxicology Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas, USA
| | | | - Alexander Tropsha
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - George Van Den Driessche
- Department of Chemistry, Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alexandre Varnek
- Laboratoire de Chémoinformatique-UMR7140, University of Strasbourg/CNRS, Strasbourg, France
| | - Zhongyu Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Eva B Wedebye
- Division of Risk Assessment and Nutrition, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Antony J Williams
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Hongbin Xie
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Alexey V Zakharov
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Ziye Zheng
- Chemistry Department, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Richard S Judson
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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Mansouri K, Kleinstreuer N, Abdelaziz AM, Alberga D, Alves VM, Andersson PL, Andrade CH, Bai F, Balabin I, Ballabio D, Benfenati E, Bhhatarai B, Boyer S, Chen J, Consonni V, Farag S, Fourches D, García-Sosa AT, Gramatica P, Grisoni F, Grulke CM, Hong H, Horvath D, Hu X, Huang R, Jeliazkova N, Li J, Li X, Liu H, Manganelli S, Mangiatordi GF, Maran U, Marcou G, Martin T, Muratov E, Nguyen DT, Nicolotti O, Nikolov NG, Norinder U, Papa E, Petitjean M, Piir G, Pogodin P, Poroikov V, Qiao X, Richard AM, Roncaglioni A, Ruiz P, Rupakheti C, Sakkiah S, Sangion A, Schramm KW, Selvaraj C, Shah I, Sild S, Sun L, Taboureau O, Tang Y, Tetko IV, Todeschini R, Tong W, Trisciuzzi D, Tropsha A, Van Den Driessche G, Varnek A, Wang Z, Wedebye EB, Williams AJ, Xie H, Zakharov AV, Zheng Z, Judson RS. CoMPARA: Collaborative Modeling Project for Androgen Receptor Activity. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2020; 128:27002. [PMID: 32074470 PMCID: PMC7064318 DOI: 10.1289/ehp5580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are xenobiotics that mimic the interaction of natural hormones and alter synthesis, transport, or metabolic pathways. The prospect of EDCs causing adverse health effects in humans and wildlife has led to the development of scientific and regulatory approaches for evaluating bioactivity. This need is being addressed using high-throughput screening (HTS) in vitro approaches and computational modeling. OBJECTIVES In support of the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) led two worldwide consortiums to virtually screen chemicals for their potential estrogenic and androgenic activities. Here, we describe the Collaborative Modeling Project for Androgen Receptor Activity (CoMPARA) efforts, which follows the steps of the Collaborative Estrogen Receptor Activity Prediction Project (CERAPP). METHODS The CoMPARA list of screened chemicals built on CERAPP's list of 32,464 chemicals to include additional chemicals of interest, as well as simulated ToxCast™ metabolites, totaling 55,450 chemical structures. Computational toxicology scientists from 25 international groups contributed 91 predictive models for binding, agonist, and antagonist activity predictions. Models were underpinned by a common training set of 1,746 chemicals compiled from a combined data set of 11 ToxCast™/Tox21 HTS in vitro assays. RESULTS The resulting models were evaluated using curated literature data extracted from different sources. To overcome the limitations of single-model approaches, CoMPARA predictions were combined into consensus models that provided averaged predictive accuracy of approximately 80% for the evaluation set. DISCUSSION The strengths and limitations of the consensus predictions were discussed with example chemicals; then, the models were implemented into the free and open-source OPERA application to enable screening of new chemicals with a defined applicability domain and accuracy assessment. This implementation was used to screen the entire EPA DSSTox database of ∼ 875,000 chemicals, and their predicted AR activities have been made available on the EPA CompTox Chemicals dashboard and National Toxicology Program's Integrated Chemical Environment. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5580.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamel Mansouri
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
- ScitoVation LLC, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
- Integrated Laboratory Systems, Inc., Morrisville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Nicole Kleinstreuer
- National Toxicology Program Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ahmed M. Abdelaziz
- Technische Universität München, Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan für Ernährung, Landnutzung und Umwelt, Department für Biowissenschaftliche Grundlagen, Weihenstephaner Steig 23, 85350 Freising, Germany
| | - Domenico Alberga
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Vinicius M. Alves
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Carolina H. Andrade
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Fang Bai
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, China
| | - Ilya Balabin
- Information Systems & Global Solutions (IS&GS), Lockheed Martin, USA
| | - Davide Ballabio
- Milano Chemometrics and QSAR Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Emilio Benfenati
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri”, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Barun Bhhatarai
- QSAR Research Unit in Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Scott Boyer
- Swedish Toxicology Sciences Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Södertälje, Sweden
| | - Jingwen Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Viviana Consonni
- Milano Chemometrics and QSAR Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Sherif Farag
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Denis Fourches
- Department of Chemistry, Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Paola Gramatica
- QSAR Research Unit in Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Francesca Grisoni
- Milano Chemometrics and QSAR Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Chris M. Grulke
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Huixiao Hong
- Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Center for Toxicology Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas, USA
| | - Dragos Horvath
- Laboratoire de Chémoinformatique—UMR7140, University of Strasbourg/CNRS, Strasbourg, France
| | - Xin Hu
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Ruili Huang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Jiazhong Li
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, China
| | - Xuehua Li
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | | | - Serena Manganelli
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri”, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Uko Maran
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Gilles Marcou
- Laboratoire de Chémoinformatique—UMR7140, University of Strasbourg/CNRS, Strasbourg, France
| | - Todd Martin
- National Risk Management Research Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Eugene Muratov
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dac-Trung Nguyen
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Orazio Nicolotti
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Nikolai G. Nikolov
- Division of Risk Assessment and Nutrition, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulf Norinder
- Swedish Toxicology Sciences Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Södertälje, Sweden
| | - Ester Papa
- QSAR Research Unit in Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Michel Petitjean
- Computational Modeling of Protein-Ligand Interactions (CMPLI)–INSERM UMR 8251, INSERM ERL U1133, Functional and Adaptative Biology (BFA), Universite de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Geven Piir
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Pavel Pogodin
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry IBMC, 10 Building 8, Pogodinskaya st., Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Vladimir Poroikov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry IBMC, 10 Building 8, Pogodinskaya st., Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Xianliang Qiao
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Ann M. Richard
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Patricia Ruiz
- Computational Toxicology and Methods Development Laboratory, Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Chetan Rupakheti
- National Risk Management Research Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Sugunadevi Sakkiah
- Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Center for Toxicology Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas, USA
| | - Alessandro Sangion
- QSAR Research Unit in Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Karl-Werner Schramm
- Technische Universität München, Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan für Ernährung, Landnutzung und Umwelt, Department für Biowissenschaftliche Grundlagen, Weihenstephaner Steig 23, 85350 Freising, Germany
| | - Chandrabose Selvaraj
- Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Center for Toxicology Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas, USA
| | - Imran Shah
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sulev Sild
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Lixia Sun
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Olivier Taboureau
- Computational Modeling of Protein-Ligand Interactions (CMPLI)–INSERM UMR 8251, INSERM ERL U1133, Functional and Adaptative Biology (BFA), Universite de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Yun Tang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Igor V. Tetko
- BIGCHEM GmbH, Neuherberg, Germany
- Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen – German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Roberto Todeschini
- Milano Chemometrics and QSAR Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Weida Tong
- Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Center for Toxicology Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas, USA
| | | | - Alexander Tropsha
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - George Van Den Driessche
- Department of Chemistry, Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alexandre Varnek
- Laboratoire de Chémoinformatique—UMR7140, University of Strasbourg/CNRS, Strasbourg, France
| | - Zhongyu Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Eva B. Wedebye
- Division of Risk Assessment and Nutrition, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Antony J. Williams
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Hongbin Xie
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Alexey V. Zakharov
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Ziye Zheng
- Chemistry Department, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Richard S. Judson
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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Shin HM, Moschet C, Young TM, Bennett DH. Measured concentrations of consumer product chemicals in California house dust: Implications for sources, exposure, and toxicity potential. INDOOR AIR 2020; 30:60-75. [PMID: 31587372 PMCID: PMC6917863 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Household dust is a reservoir of various consumer product chemicals. Thus, characterizing comprehensive chemical profiles of house dust may help improve our understanding of residential chemical exposure. We have previously developed a method for detecting a broad spectrum of chemicals in dust by applying a combination of target, suspect screening, and non-target methods with mass spectrometry preceded by liquid chromatography and gas chromatography. Building upon a previous study that detected 271 compounds in 38 dust samples, we presented concentrations of 144 compounds that were confirmed and quantified by standards in the same set of samples. Ten compounds were measured with median concentrations greater than 10 000 ng/g of dust: cis-hexadec-6-enoic acid, squalene, cholesterol, vitamin E, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, dioctyl terephthalate, linoleic acid, tricaprylin, tris(1-chloroisopropyl) phosphate, and oxybenzone. We also reviewed in vitro toxicity screening data to identify compounds that were not previously detected in indoor dust but have potential for adverse health effects. Among 119 newly detected compounds, 13 had endocrine-disrupting potential and 7 had neurotoxic potential. Toxicity screening data were not available for eight biocides, which may adversely affect health. Our results strive to provide more comprehensive chemical profiles of house dust and identified information gaps for future health studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeong-Moo Shin
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, USA
- Corresponding author: Hyeong-Moo Shin, Ph.D., University of Texas, Arlington, 500 Yates Street, Box 19049, Arlington, Texas 76019, , Voice: 817-272-2970, Fax: 817-272-2628
| | - Christoph Moschet
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Thomas M. Young
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Deborah H. Bennett
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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Pellizzari ED, Woodruff TJ, Boyles RR, Kannan K, Beamer PI, Buckley JP, Wang A, Zhu Y, Bennett DH. Identifying and Prioritizing Chemicals with Uncertain Burden of Exposure: Opportunities for Biomonitoring and Health-Related Research. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2019; 127:126001. [PMID: 31850800 PMCID: PMC6957289 DOI: 10.1289/ehp5133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The National Institutes of Health's Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) initiative aims to understand the impact of environmental factors on childhood disease. Over 40,000 chemicals are approved for commercial use. The challenge is to prioritize chemicals for biomonitoring that may present health risk concerns. OBJECTIVES Our aim was to prioritize chemicals that may elicit child health effects of interest to ECHO but that have not been biomonitored nationwide and to identify gaps needing additional research. METHODS We searched databases and the literature for chemicals in environmental media and in consumer products that were potentially toxic. We selected chemicals that were not measured in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. From over 700 chemicals, we chose 155 chemicals and created eight chemical panels. For each chemical, we compiled biomonitoring and toxicity data, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency exposure predictions, and annual production usage. We also applied predictive modeling to estimate toxicity. Using these data, we recommended chemicals either for biomonitoring, to be deferred pending additional data, or as low priority for biomonitoring. RESULTS For the 155 chemicals, 97 were measured in food or water, 67 in air or house dust, and 52 in biospecimens. We found in vivo endocrine, developmental, reproductive, and neurotoxic effects for 61, 74, 47, and 32 chemicals, respectively. Eighty-six had data from high-throughput in vitro assays. Positive results for endocrine, developmental, neurotoxicity, and obesity were observed for 32, 11, 35, and 60 chemicals, respectively. Predictive modeling results suggested 90% are toxicants. Biomarkers were reported for 76 chemicals. Thirty-six were recommended for biomonitoring, 108 deferred pending additional research, and 11 as low priority for biomonitoring. DISCUSSION The 108 deferred chemicals included those lacking biomonitoring methods or toxicity data, representing an opportunity for future research. Our evaluation was, in general, limited by the large number of unmeasured or untested chemicals. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5133.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edo D. Pellizzari
- Fellow Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Tracey J. Woodruff
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Rebecca R. Boyles
- Bioinformatics and Data Science, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Paloma I. Beamer
- Department of Community, Environment and Policy, Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Jessie P. Buckley
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Heath, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Aolin Wang
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yeyi Zhu
- Northern California Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Deborah H. Bennett
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - (Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes)
- Fellow Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Bioinformatics and Data Science, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
- Department of Community, Environment and Policy, Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Heath, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Northern California Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
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Development of a prioritization method for chemical-mediated effects on steroidogenesis using an integrated statistical analysis of high-throughput H295R data. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2019; 109:104510. [PMID: 31676319 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2019.104510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Synthesis of 11 steroid hormones in human adrenocortical carcinoma cells (H295R) was measured in a high-throughput steroidogenesis assay (HT-H295R) for 656 chemicals in concentration-response as part of the US Environmental Protection Agency's ToxCast program. This work extends previous analysis of the HT-H295R dataset and model by examining the utility of a novel prioritization metric based on the Mahalanobis distance that reduced these 11-dimensional data to 1-dimension via calculation of a mean Mahalanobis distance (mMd) at each chemical concentration screened for all hormone measures available. Herein, we evaluated the robustness of mMd values, and demonstrate that covariance and variance of the hormones measured appear independent of the chemicals screened and are inherent to the assay; the Type I error rate of the mMd method is less than 1%; and, absolute fold changes (up or down) of 1.5 to 2-fold have sufficient power for statistical significance. As a case study, we examined hormone responses for aromatase inhibitors in the HT-H295R assay and found high concordance with other ToxCast assays for known aromatase inhibitors. Finally, we used mMd and other ToxCast cytotoxicity data to demonstrate prioritization of the most selective and active chemicals as candidates for further in vitro or in silico screening.
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Noyes PD, Friedman KP, Browne P, Haselman JT, Gilbert ME, Hornung MW, Barone S, Crofton KM, Laws SC, Stoker TE, Simmons SO, Tietge JE, Degitz SJ. Evaluating Chemicals for Thyroid Disruption: Opportunities and Challenges with in Vitro Testing and Adverse Outcome Pathway Approaches. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2019; 127:95001. [PMID: 31487205 PMCID: PMC6791490 DOI: 10.1289/ehp5297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extensive clinical and experimental research documents the potential for chemical disruption of thyroid hormone (TH) signaling through multiple molecular targets. Perturbation of TH signaling can lead to abnormal brain development, cognitive impairments, and other adverse outcomes in humans and wildlife. To increase chemical safety screening efficiency and reduce vertebrate animal testing, in vitro assays that identify chemical interactions with molecular targets of the thyroid system have been developed and implemented. OBJECTIVES We present an adverse outcome pathway (AOP) network to link data derived from in vitro assays that measure chemical interactions with thyroid molecular targets to downstream events and adverse outcomes traditionally derived from in vivo testing. We examine the role of new in vitro technologies, in the context of the AOP network, in facilitating consideration of several important regulatory and biological challenges in characterizing chemicals that exert effects through a thyroid mechanism. DISCUSSION There is a substantial body of knowledge describing chemical effects on molecular and physiological regulation of TH signaling and associated adverse outcomes. Until recently, few alternative nonanimal assays were available to interrogate chemical effects on TH signaling. With the development of these new tools, screening large libraries of chemicals for interactions with molecular targets of the thyroid is now possible. Measuring early chemical interactions with targets in the thyroid pathway provides a means of linking adverse outcomes, which may be influenced by many biological processes, to a thyroid mechanism. However, the use of in vitro assays beyond chemical screening is complicated by continuing limits in our knowledge of TH signaling in important life stages and tissues, such as during fetal brain development. Nonetheless, the thyroid AOP network provides an ideal tool for defining causal linkages of a chemical exerting thyroid-dependent effects and identifying research needs to quantify these effects in support of regulatory decision making. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5297.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela D Noyes
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development (ORD), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Washington, DC, USA
| | - Katie Paul Friedman
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Patience Browne
- Environment Health and Safety Division, Environment Directorate, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Paris, France
| | - Jonathan T Haselman
- Mid-Continent Ecology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), ORD, U.S. EPA, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mary E Gilbert
- Toxicity Assessment Division, NHEERL, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michael W Hornung
- Mid-Continent Ecology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), ORD, U.S. EPA, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Stan Barone
- Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, U.S. EPA, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kevin M Crofton
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Susan C Laws
- Toxicity Assessment Division, NHEERL, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Tammy E Stoker
- Toxicity Assessment Division, NHEERL, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Steven O Simmons
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Joseph E Tietge
- Mid-Continent Ecology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), ORD, U.S. EPA, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Sigmund J Degitz
- Mid-Continent Ecology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), ORD, U.S. EPA, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
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Repouskou A, Panagiotidou E, Panagopoulou L, Bisting PL, Tuck AR, Sjödin MOD, Lindberg J, Bozas E, Rüegg J, Gennings C, Bornehag CG, Damdimopoulou P, Stamatakis A, Kitraki E. Gestational exposure to an epidemiologically defined mixture of phthalates leads to gonadal dysfunction in mouse offspring of both sexes. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6424. [PMID: 31015488 PMCID: PMC6478857 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42377-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing concern for the reproductive toxicity of abundantly used phthalates requires reliable tools for exposure risk assessment to mixtures of chemicals, based on real life human exposure and disorder-associated epidemiological evidence. We herein used a mixture of four phthalate monoesters (33% mono-butyl phthalate, 16% mono-benzyl phthalate, 21% mono-ethyl hexyl phthalate, and 30% mono-isononyl phthalate), detected in 1st trimester urine of 194 pregnant women and identified as bad actors for a shorter anogenital distance (AGD) in their baby boys. Mice were treated with 0, 0.26, 2.6 and 13 mg/kg/d of the mixture, corresponding to 0x, 10x, 100x, 500x levels detected in the pregnant women. Adverse outcomes detected in the reproductive system of the offspring in pre-puberty and adulthood included reduced AGD index and gonadal weight, changes in gonadal histology and altered expression of key regulators of gonadal growth and steroidogenesis. Most aberrations were apparent in both sexes, though more pronounced in males, and exhibited a non-monotonic pattern. The phthalate mixture directly affected expression of steroidogenesis as demonstrated in a relevant in vitro model. The detected adversities at exposures close to the levels detected in pregnant women, raise concern on the existing safety limits for early-life human exposures and emphasizes the need for re-evaluation of the exposure risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Repouskou
- Laboratory of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens, Greece
| | - Emily Panagiotidou
- Laboratory of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens, Greece
- Biology-Biochemistry laboratory, Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Lydia Panagopoulou
- Laboratory of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens, Greece
| | | | - Astrud R Tuck
- Swetox, Karolinska Institutet, Unit of Toxicological Sciences, Södertälje, Sweden
| | - Marcus O D Sjödin
- Swetox, Karolinska Institutet, Unit of Toxicological Sciences, Södertälje, Sweden
| | - Johan Lindberg
- Swetox, Karolinska Institutet, Unit of Toxicological Sciences, Södertälje, Sweden
| | - Evangelos Bozas
- Pediatric Research laboratory, Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Joëlle Rüegg
- Swetox, Karolinska Institutet, Unit of Toxicological Sciences, Södertälje, Sweden
- IMM -Institute for Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Chris Gennings
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carl-Gustaf Bornehag
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
| | - Pauliina Damdimopoulou
- Swetox, Karolinska Institutet, Unit of Toxicological Sciences, Södertälje, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Antonios Stamatakis
- Biology-Biochemistry laboratory, Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Efthymia Kitraki
- Laboratory of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens, Greece.
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Removal of batch effects using stratified subsampling of metabolomic data for in vitro endocrine disruptors screening. Talanta 2019; 195:77-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2018.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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Ahmed KEM, Frøysa HG, Karlsen OA, Blaser N, Zimmer KE, Berntsen HF, Verhaegen S, Ropstad E, Kellmann R, Goksøyr A. Effects of defined mixtures of POPs and endocrine disruptors on the steroid metabolome of the human H295R adrenocortical cell line. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 218:328-339. [PMID: 30476764 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.11.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The presence of environmental pollutants in our ecosystem may impose harmful health effects to wildlife and humans. Several of these toxic chemicals have a potential to interfere with the endocrine system. The adrenal cortex has been identified as the main target organ affected by endocrine disrupting chemicals. The aim of this work was to assess exposure effects of defined and environmentally relevant mixtures of chlorinated, brominated and perfluorinated chemicals on steroidogenesis, using the H295R adrenocortical cell line model in combination with a newly developed liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. By using this approach, we could simultaneously analyze 19 of the steroids in the steroid biosynthesis pathway, revealing a deeper insight into possible disruption of steroidogenesis. Our results showed a noticeable down-regulation in steroid production when cells were exposed to the highest concentration of a mixture of brominated and fluorinated compounds (10,000-times human blood values). In contrast, up-regulation was observed with estrone under the same experimental condition, as well as with some other steroids when cells were exposed to a perfluorinated mixture (1000-times human blood values), and the mixture of chlorinated and fluorinated compounds. Interestingly, the low concentration of the perfluorinated mixture alone produced a significant, albeit small, down-regulation of pregnenolone, and the total mixture a similar effect on 17-hydroxypregnenolone. Other mixtures resulted in only slight deviations from the control. Indication of synergistic effects were noted when we used a statistical model to improve data interpretation. A potential for adverse outcomes of human exposures is indicated, pointing to the need for further investigation into these mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Håvard G Frøysa
- Department of Mathematics, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7803, N-5020 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Odd André Karlsen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7803, N-5020 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Nello Blaser
- Department of Mathematics, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7803, N-5020 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Karin Elisabeth Zimmer
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), P.O. Box 8146 Dep. N-0033, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Hanne Friis Berntsen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), P.O. Box 8146 Dep. N-0033, Oslo, Norway; Department of Administration, Lab Animal Unit, National Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 5330 Majorstuen, N-0304, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Steven Verhaegen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), P.O. Box 8146 Dep. N-0033, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Erik Ropstad
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), P.O. Box 8146 Dep. N-0033, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Ralf Kellmann
- Hormone Laboratory, Haukeland University Hospital, N-5021 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Anders Goksøyr
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7803, N-5020 Bergen, Norway.
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LaLone CA, Villeneuve DL, Doering JA, Blackwell BR, Transue TR, Simmons CW, Swintek J, Degitz SJ, Williams AJ, Ankley GT. Evidence for Cross Species Extrapolation of Mammalian-Based High-Throughput Screening Assay Results. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:13960-13971. [PMID: 30351027 PMCID: PMC8283686 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b04587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
High-throughput screening (HTS) and computational technologies have emerged as important tools for chemical hazard identification. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the Toxicity ForeCaster (ToxCast) Program, which has screened thousands of chemicals in hundreds of mammalian-based HTS assays for biological activity. The data are being used to prioritize toxicity testing on those chemicals likely to lead to adverse effects. To use HTS assays in predicting hazard to both humans and wildlife, it is necessary to understand how broadly these data may be extrapolated across species. The US EPA Sequence Alignment to Predict Across Species Susceptibility (SeqAPASS; https://seqapass.epa.gov/seqapass/ ) tool was used to assess conservation of the 484 protein targets represented in the suite of ToxCast assays and other HTS assays. To demonstrate the utility of the SeqAPASS data for guiding extrapolation, case studies were developed which focused on targets of interest to the US Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. These case studies provide a line of evidence for conservation of endocrine targets across vertebrate species, with few exceptions, and demonstrate the utility of SeqAPASS for defining the taxonomic domain of applicability for HTS results and identifying organisms for suitable follow-up toxicity tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlie A. LaLone
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Mid-Continent Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
- Corresponding Author: Carlie A. LaLone:
| | - Daniel L. Villeneuve
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Mid-Continent Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Jon A. Doering
- National Research Council, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Brett R. Blackwell
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Mid-Continent Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Thomas R. Transue
- CSRA Inc., 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Cody W. Simmons
- CSRA Inc., 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Joe Swintek
- Badger Technical Services, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Sigmund J. Degitz
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Mid-Continent Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - Antony J. Williams
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Center for Computational Toxicology, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Gerald T. Ankley
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Mid-Continent Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
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Marty MS, Borgert C, Coady K, Green R, Levine SL, Mihaich E, Ortego L, Wheeler JR, Yi KD, Zorrilla LM. Distinguishing between endocrine disruption and non-specific effects on endocrine systems. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2018; 99:142-158. [PMID: 30217484 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The endocrine system is responsible for growth, development, maintaining homeostasis and for the control of many physiological processes. Due to the integral nature of its signaling pathways, it can be difficult to distinguish endocrine-mediated adverse effects from transient fluctuations, adaptive/compensatory responses, or adverse effects on the endocrine system that are caused by mechanisms outside the endocrine system. This is particularly true in toxicological studies that require generation of effects through the use of Maximum Tolerated Doses (or Concentrations). Endocrine-mediated adverse effects are those that occur as a consequence of the interaction of a chemical with a specific molecular component of the endocrine system, for example, a hormone receptor. Non-endocrine-mediated adverse effects on the endocrine system are those that occur by other mechanisms. For example, systemic toxicity, which perturbs homeostasis and affects the general well-being of an organism, can affect endocrine signaling. Some organs/tissues can be affected by both endocrine and non-endocrine signals, which must be distinguished. This paper examines in vitro and in vivo endocrine endpoints that can be altered by non-endocrine processes. It recommends an evaluation of these issues in the assessment of effects for the determination of endocrine disrupting properties of chemicals. This underscores the importance of using a formal weight of evidence (WoE) process to evaluate potential endocrine activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sue Marty
- The Dow Chemical Company, Toxicology & Environmental Research and Consulting, 1803 Building, Midland, MI, 48674, USA.
| | - Chris Borgert
- Applied Pharmacology and Toxicology, Inc., C.E.H.T. Dept. Physiological Sciences, University of FL College of Veterinary Medicine, 2250 NW 24th Avenue, Gainesville, FL, 32605, USA.
| | - Katie Coady
- The Dow Chemical Company, Toxicology & Environmental Research and Consulting, 1803 Building, Midland, MI, 48674, USA.
| | - Richard Green
- Dow AgroSciences, 3b Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RN, United Kingdom.
| | - Steven L Levine
- Monsanto Company, Global Regulatory Science, 700 Chesterfield Parkway W, Chesterfield, MO, 63017, USA.
| | - Ellen Mihaich
- Environmental and Regulatory Resources, LLC, 6807 Lipscomb Drive, Durham, NC, 27712, USA.
| | - Lisa Ortego
- Bayer CropScience, 2 TW Alexander Dr, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA.
| | - James R Wheeler
- Dow AgroSciences, 3b Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RN, United Kingdom.
| | - Kun Don Yi
- Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, 410 S Wing Rd, Greensboro, NC, 27409, USA.
| | - Leah M Zorrilla
- Bayer CropScience, 2 TW Alexander Dr, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA.
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Helm JS, Nishioka M, Brody JG, Rudel RA, Dodson RE. Measurement of endocrine disrupting and asthma-associated chemicals in hair products used by Black women. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 165:448-458. [PMID: 29705122 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2018] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Personal care products are a source of exposure to endocrine disrupting and asthma-associated chemicals. Because use of hair products differs by race/ethnicity, these products may contribute to exposure and disease disparities. OBJECTIVE This preliminary study investigates the endocrine disrupting and asthma-associated chemical content of hair products used by U.S. Black women. METHODS We used gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to test 18 hair products in 6 categories used by Black women: hot oil treatment, anti-frizz/polish, leave-in conditioner, root stimulator, hair lotion, and relaxer. We tested for 66 chemicals belonging to 10 chemical classes: ultraviolet (UV) filters, cyclosiloxanes, glycol ethers, fragrances, alkylphenols, ethanolamines, antimicrobials, bisphenol A, phthalates, and parabens. RESULTS The hair products tested contained 45 endocrine disrupting or asthma-associated chemicals, including every targeted chemical class. We found cyclosiloxanes, parabens, and the fragrance marker diethyl phthalate (DEP) at the highest levels, and DEP most frequently. Root stimulators, hair lotions, and relaxers frequently contained nonylphenols, parabens, and fragrances; anti-frizz products contained cyclosiloxanes. Hair relaxers for children contained five chemicals regulated by California's Proposition 65 or prohibited by EU cosmetics regulation. Targeted chemicals were generally not listed on the product label. CONCLUSIONS Hair products used by Black women and children contained multiple chemicals associated with endocrine disruption and asthma. The prevalence of parabens and DEP is consistent with higher levels of these compounds in biomonitoring samples from Black women compared with White women. These results indicate the need for more information about the contribution of consumer products to exposure disparities. A precautionary approach would reduce the use of endocrine disrupting chemicals in personal care products and improve labeling so women can select products consistent with their values.
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Angrish MM, McQueen CA, Cohen-Hubal E, Bruno M, Ge Y, Chorley BN. Editor's Highlight: Mechanistic Toxicity Tests Based on an Adverse Outcome Pathway Network for Hepatic Steatosis. Toxicol Sci 2018; 159:159-169. [PMID: 28903485 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfx121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Risk assessors use liver endpoints in rodent toxicology studies to assess the safety of chemical exposures. Yet, rodent endpoints may not accurately reflect human responses. For this reason and others, human-based invitro models are being developed and anchored to adverse outcome pathways to better predict adverse human health outcomes. Here, a networked adverse outcome pathway-guided selection of biology-based assays for lipid uptake, lipid efflux, fatty acid oxidation, and lipid accumulation were developed. These assays were evaluated in a metabolically competent human hepatocyte cell model (HepaRG) exposed to compounds known to cause steatosis (amiodarone, cyclosporine A, and T0901317) or activate lipid metabolism pathways (troglitazone, Wyeth-14,643, and 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol). All of the chemicals activated at least one assay, however, only T0901317 and cyclosporin A dose-dependently increased lipid accumulation. T0901317 and cyclosporin A increased fatty acid uptake, decreased lipid efflux (inferred from apolipoprotein B100 levels), and increased fatty acid synthase protein levels. Using this biologically-based evaluation of key events regulating hepatic lipid levels, we demonstrated dysregulation of compensatory pathways that normally balance hepatic lipid levels. This approach may provide biological plausibility and data needed to increase confidence in linking invitro-based measurements to chemical effects on adverse human health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M Angrish
- National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory , United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Charlene A McQueen
- National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory , United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Elaine Cohen-Hubal
- National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory , United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Maribel Bruno
- National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory , United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yue Ge
- National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory , United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Brian N Chorley
- National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory , United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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Judson RS, Paul Friedman K, Houck K, Mansouri K, Browne P, Kleinstreuer NC. New approach methods for testing chemicals for endocrine disruption potential. CURRENT OPINION IN TOXICOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cotox.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Haggard DE, Karmaus AL, Martin MT, Judson RS, Woodrow Setzer R, Friedman KP. High-Throughput H295R Steroidogenesis Assay: Utility as an Alternative and a Statistical Approach to Characterize Effects on Steroidogenesis. Toxicol Sci 2018; 162:509-534. [PMID: 29216406 PMCID: PMC10716795 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfx274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have used the human adrenocarcinoma (H295R) cell-based assay to predict chemical perturbation of androgen and estrogen production. Recently, a high-throughput H295R (HT-H295R) assay was developed as part of the ToxCast program that includes measurement of 11 hormones, including progestagens, corticosteroids, androgens, and estrogens. To date, 2012 chemicals have been screened at 1 concentration; of these, 656 chemicals have been screened in concentration-response. The objectives of this work were to: (1) develop an integrated analysis of chemical-mediated effects on steroidogenesis in the HT-H295R assay and (2) evaluate whether the HT-H295R assay predicts estrogen and androgen production specifically via comparison with the OECD-validated H295R assay. To support application of HT-H295R assay data to weight-of-evidence and prioritization tasks, a single numeric value based on Mahalanobis distances was computed for 654 chemicals to indicate the magnitude of effects on the synthesis of 11 hormones. The maximum mean Mahalanobis distance (maxmMd) values were high for strong modulators (prochloraz, mifepristone) and lower for moderate modulators (atrazine, molinate). Twenty-five of 28 reference chemicals used for OECD validation were screened in the HT-H295R assay, and produced qualitatively similar results, with accuracies of 0.90/0.75 and 0.81/0.91 for increased/decreased testosterone and estradiol production, respectively. The HT-H295R assay provides robust information regarding estrogen and androgen production, as well as additional hormones. The maxmMd from this integrated analysis may provide a data-driven approach to prioritizing lists of chemicals for putative effects on steroidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derik E. Haggard
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Postdoctoral Fellow, Oak Ridge, TN. 37831
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC 27711
| | - Agnes L. Karmaus
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Postdoctoral Fellow, Oak Ridge, TN. 37831
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC 27711
| | - Matthew T. Martin
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC 27711
| | - Richard S. Judson
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC 27711
| | - R. Woodrow Setzer
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC 27711
| | - Katie Paul Friedman
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC 27711
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Tachachartvanich P, Sangsuwan R, Ruiz HS, Sanchez SS, Durkin KA, Zhang L, Smith MT. Assessment of the Endocrine-Disrupting Effects of Trichloroethylene and Its Metabolites Using in Vitro and in Silico Approaches. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:1542-1550. [PMID: 29294279 PMCID: PMC6290898 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b04832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, which may have effects on both ecosystem and human health. TCE has been reported to cause several toxic effects, but little effort has been made to assess the ecological risks of TCE or its major metabolites: trichloroethanol (TCOH), trichloroacetic acid, and oxalic acid (OA). In this study, the endocrine-disrupting potential of TCE and its metabolites were investigated using in vitro and in silico approaches. We examined alterations in the steroidogenesis pathway using the NCI-H295R cell line and utilized receptor-mediated luciferase reporter cell lines to identify effects on estrogen and androgen receptors. Molecular docking was also used to explore chemical interactions with these receptors. All test chemicals except OA significantly increased 17β-estradiol production which can be attributed to an up-regulation of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Moreover, TCOH exhibited significant antiestrogenic activity with a RIC20 (20% relative inhibitory concentration) of 3.7 × 10-7 M. Molecular docking simulation supported this finding with lower docking scores for TCOH, indicating that hydrogen bonds may stabilize the interaction between TCOH and the estrogen receptor binding pocket. These findings suggest that TCE contamination poses an endocrine-disrupting threat, which has implications for both ecological and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phum Tachachartvanich
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Rapeepat Sangsuwan
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Heather S. Ruiz
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Sylvia S. Sanchez
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Kathleen A. Durkin
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Luoping Zhang
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Martyn T. Smith
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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Botteri Principato NL, Suarez JD, Laws SC, Klinefelter GR. The use of purified rat Leydig cells complements the H295R screen to detect chemical-induced alterations in testosterone production. Biol Reprod 2018; 98:239-249. [PMID: 29272331 PMCID: PMC6691738 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals has been associated with compromised testosterone production leading to abnormal male reproductive development and altered spermatogenesis. In vitro high-throughput screening (HTS) assays are needed to evaluate risk to testosterone production, yet the main steroidogenesis assay currently utilized is a human adrenocortical carcinoma cell line, H295R, which does not synthesize gonadal steroids at the same level as the gonads, thus limiting assay sensitivity. Here, we propose a complementary assay using a highly purified rat Leydig cell assay to evaluate the potential for chemical-induced alterations in testosterone production by the testis. We evaluated a subset of chemicals that failed to decrease testosterone production in the HTS H295R assay. The chemicals examined fit into one of two categories based on changes in substrates upstream of testosterone in the adrenal steroidogenic pathway (17α-hydroxyprogesterone and 11-deoxycorticosterone) that we predicted should have elicited a decrease in testosterone production. We found that 85% of 20 test chemicals examined inhibited Leydig cell testosterone production in our assay. Importantly, we adopted a 96-well format to increase throughput and efficiency of the Leydig cell assay. We identified a selection criterion based on the AC50 values for 17α-hydroxyprogesterone and 11-deoxycorticosterone generated from the HTS H295R assay that will help prioritize chemicals for further testing in the Leydig cell screen. We hypothesize that the greater dynamic range of testosterone production and sensitivity of the Leydig cell assay permits the detection of small, yet significant, chemical-induced changes not detected by the HTS H295R assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L. Botteri Principato
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Research Participation Program, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
- Endocrine Toxicity Branch, Toxicity Assessment Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Juan D. Suarez
- Reproductive Toxicity Branch, Toxicity Assessment Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency,Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Susan C. Laws
- Endocrine Toxicity Branch, Toxicity Assessment Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Gary R. Klinefelter
- Reproductive Toxicity Branch, Toxicity Assessment Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency,Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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Strickland JD, Martin MT, Richard AM, Houck KA, Shafer TJ. Screening the ToxCast phase II libraries for alterations in network function using cortical neurons grown on multi-well microelectrode array (mwMEA) plates. Arch Toxicol 2018; 92:487-500. [PMID: 28766123 PMCID: PMC6438628 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-017-2035-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Methods are needed for rapid screening of environmental compounds for neurotoxicity, particularly ones that assess function. To demonstrate the utility of microelectrode array (MEA)-based approaches as a rapid neurotoxicity screening tool, 1055 chemicals from EPA's phase II ToxCast library were evaluated for effects on neural function and cell health. Primary cortical networks were grown on multi-well microelectrode array (mwMEA) plates. On day in vitro 13, baseline activity (40 min) was recorded prior to exposure to each compound (40 µM). Changes in spontaneous network activity [mean firing rate (MFR)] and cell viability (lactate dehydrogenase and CellTiter Blue) were assessed within the same well following compound exposure. Following exposure, 326 compounds altered (increased or decreased) normalized MFR beyond hit thresholds based on 2× the median absolute deviation of DMSO-treated wells. Pharmaceuticals, pesticides, fungicides, chemical intermediates, and herbicides accounted for 86% of the hits. Further, changes in MFR occurred in the absence of cytotoxicity, as only eight compounds decreased cell viability. ToxPrint chemotype analysis identified several structural domains (e.g., biphenyls and alkyl phenols) significantly enriched with MEA actives relative to the total test set. The top 5 enriched ToxPrint chemotypes were represented in 26% of the MEA hits, whereas the top 11 ToxPrints were represented in 34% of MEA hits. These results demonstrate that large-scale functional screening using neural networks on MEAs can fill a critical gap in assessment of neurotoxicity potential in ToxCast assay results. Further, a data-mining approach identified ToxPrint chemotypes enriched in the MEA-hit subset, which define initial structure-activity relationship inferences, establish potential mechanistic associations to other ToxCast assay endpoints, and provide working hypotheses for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna D Strickland
- Axion Biosystems, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Matthew T Martin
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, MD D143-02, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA
- Pfizer Inc, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Ann M Richard
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, MD D143-02, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA
| | - Keith A Houck
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, MD D143-02, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA
| | - Timothy J Shafer
- Integrated Systems Toxicology Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, MD105-05, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA.
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Pinto CL, Markey K, Dix D, Browne P. Identification of candidate reference chemicals for in vitro steroidogenesis assays. Toxicol In Vitro 2017; 47:103-119. [PMID: 29146384 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2017.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) is transitioning from traditional testing methods to integrating ToxCast/Tox21 in vitro high-throughput screening assays for identifying chemicals with endocrine bioactivity. The ToxCast high-throughput H295R steroidogenesis assay may potentially replace the low-throughput assays currently used in the EDSP Tier 1 battery to detect chemicals that alter the synthesis of androgens and estrogens. Herein, we describe an approach for identifying in vitro candidate reference chemicals that affect the production of androgens and estrogens in models of steroidogenesis. Candidate reference chemicals were identified from a review of H295R and gonad-derived in vitro assays used in methods validation and published in the scientific literature. A total of 29 chemicals affecting androgen and estrogen levels satisfied all criteria for positive reference chemicals, while an additional set of 21 and 15 chemicals partially fulfilled criteria for positive reference chemicals for androgens and estrogens, respectively. The identified chemicals included pesticides, pharmaceuticals, industrial and naturally-occurring chemicals with the capability to increase or decrease the levels of the sex hormones in vitro. Additionally, 14 and 15 compounds were identified as potential negative reference chemicals for effects on androgens and estrogens, respectively. These candidate reference chemicals will be informative for performance-based validation of in vitro steroidogenesis models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Lucia Pinto
- U.S. EPA, Office of Science Coordination and Policy, Washington, D.C. 20004, United States; Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0117, United States.
| | - Kristan Markey
- U.S. EPA, Office of Science Coordination and Policy, Washington, D.C. 20004, United States
| | - David Dix
- U.S. EPA, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Washington, D.C. 20004, United States
| | - Patience Browne
- U.S. EPA, Office of Science Coordination and Policy, Washington, D.C. 20004, United States
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Blackwell BR, Ankley GT, Corsi SR, DeCicco LA, Houck K, Judson R, Li S, Martin M, Murphy E, Schroeder AL, Smith ET, Swintek J, Villeneuve DL. An "EAR" on Environmental Surveillance and Monitoring: A Case Study on the Use of Exposure-Activity Ratios (EARs) to Prioritize Sites, Chemicals, and Bioactivities of Concern in Great Lakes Waters. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:8713-8724. [PMID: 28671818 PMCID: PMC6132252 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b01613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Current environmental monitoring approaches focus primarily on chemical occurrence. However, based on concentration alone, it can be difficult to identify which compounds may be of toxicological concern and should be prioritized for further monitoring, in-depth testing, or management. This can be problematic because toxicological characterization is lacking for many emerging contaminants. New sources of high-throughput screening (HTS) data, such as the ToxCast database, which contains information for over 9000 compounds screened through up to 1100 bioassays, are now available. Integrated analysis of chemical occurrence data with HTS data offers new opportunities to prioritize chemicals, sites, or biological effects for further investigation based on concentrations detected in the environment linked to relative potencies in pathway-based bioassays. As a case study, chemical occurrence data from a 2012 study in the Great Lakes Basin along with the ToxCast effects database were used to calculate exposure-activity ratios (EARs) as a prioritization tool. Technical considerations of data processing and use of the ToxCast database are presented and discussed. EAR prioritization identified multiple sites, biological pathways, and chemicals that warrant further investigation. Prioritized bioactivities from the EAR analysis were linked to discrete adverse outcome pathways to identify potential adverse outcomes and biomarkers for use in subsequent monitoring efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett R. Blackwell
- US EPA, Mid-Continent Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN, USA 55804
- Corresponding author: 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN 55804; ; T: (218) 529-5078; Fax: (218) 529-5003
| | - Gerald T. Ankley
- US EPA, Mid-Continent Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN, USA 55804
| | - Steve R. Corsi
- US Geological Survey, Wisconsin Water Science Center, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, WI, USA 53562
| | - Laura A. DeCicco
- US Geological Survey, Wisconsin Water Science Center, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, WI, USA 53562
| | - Keith Houck
- US EPA, National Center for Computational Toxicology, 109 T.W. Alexander Dr, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA 27711
| | - Richard Judson
- US EPA, National Center for Computational Toxicology, 109 T.W. Alexander Dr, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA 27711
| | - Shibin Li
- US EPA, Mid-Continent Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN, USA 55804
- National Research Council, US EPA, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN, USA 55804
| | - Matt Martin
- US EPA, National Center for Computational Toxicology, 109 T.W. Alexander Dr, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA 27711
| | - Elizabeth Murphy
- US EPA, Great Lakes National Program Office, 77 West Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL, USA 60604
| | - Anthony L. Schroeder
- University of Minnesota Crookston, Math, Science, and Technology Department, 2900 University Ave, Crookston, MN, USA 56716
| | - Edwin T. Smith
- US EPA, Great Lakes National Program Office, 77 West Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL, USA 60604
| | - Joe Swintek
- Badger Technical Services, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN, USA 55804
| | - Daniel L. Villeneuve
- US EPA, Mid-Continent Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN, USA 55804
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Steroid profiling in H295R cells to identify chemicals potentially disrupting the production of adrenal steroids. Toxicology 2017; 381:51-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2017.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Revised: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Coady KK, Biever RC, Denslow ND, Gross M, Guiney PD, Holbech H, Karouna-Renier NK, Katsiadaki I, Krueger H, Levine SL, Maack G, Williams M, Wolf JC, Ankley GT. Current limitations and recommendations to improve testing for the environmental assessment of endocrine active substances. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2017; 13:302-316. [PMID: 27791330 PMCID: PMC6059567 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.1862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, existing regulatory frameworks and test systems for assessing potential endocrine active chemicals are described, and associated challenges are discussed, along with proposed approaches to address these challenges. Regulatory frameworks vary somewhat across geographies, but all basically evaluate whether a chemical possesses endocrine activity and whether this activity can result in adverse outcomes either to humans or to the environment. Current test systems include in silico, in vitro, and in vivo techniques focused on detecting potential endocrine activity, and in vivo tests that collect apical data to detect possible adverse effects. These test systems are currently designed to robustly assess endocrine activity and/or adverse effects in the estrogen, androgen, and thyroid hormone signaling pathways; however, there are some limitations of current test systems for evaluating endocrine hazard and risk. These limitations include a lack of certainty regarding: 1) adequately sensitive species and life stages; 2) mechanistic endpoints that are diagnostic for endocrine pathways of concern; and 3) the linkage between mechanistic responses and apical, adverse outcomes. Furthermore, some existing test methods are resource intensive with regard to time, cost, and use of animals. However, based on recent experiences, there are opportunities to improve approaches to and guidance for existing test methods and to reduce uncertainty. For example, in vitro high-throughput screening could be used to prioritize chemicals for testing and provide insights as to the most appropriate assays for characterizing hazard and risk. Other recommendations include adding endpoints for elucidating connections between mechanistic effects and adverse outcomes, identifying potentially sensitive taxa for which test methods currently do not exist, and addressing key endocrine pathways of possible concern in addition to those associated with estrogen, androgen, and thyroid signaling. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2017;13:302-316. © 2016 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine K Coady
- The Dow Chemical Company, Toxicology and Environmental Research and Consulting, Midland, Michigan, USA
- Address correspondence to
| | | | - Nancy D Denslow
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | | | - Patrick D Guiney
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Henrik Holbech
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark
| | | | - Ioanna Katsiadaki
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Dorset, United Kingdom
| | - Hank Krueger
- Wildlife International, Division of EAG Laboratories, Easton, Maryland, USA
| | - Steven L Levine
- Global Regulatory Sciences, Monsanto Company, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Gerd Maack
- German Environment Agency, Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | | | - Jeffrey C Wolf
- Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Sterling, Virginia, USA
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Mihaich E, Capdevielle M, Urbach-Ross D, Slezak B. Hypothesis-driven weight-of-evidence analysis of endocrine disruption potential: a case study with triclosan. Crit Rev Toxicol 2017; 47:263-285. [DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2016.1269722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Mihaich
- Environmental and Regulatory Resources, LLC, Durham, NC, USA
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