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Acharya B, Dey S, Sahu PK, Behera A, Chowdhury B, Behera S. Perspectives on chick embryo models in developmental and reproductive toxicity screening. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 126:108583. [PMID: 38561097 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108583] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Teratology, the study of congenital anomalies and their causative factors intersects with developmental and reproductive toxicology, employing innovative methodologies. Evaluating the potential impacts of teratogens on fetal development and assessing human risk is an essential prerequisite in preclinical research. The chicken embryo model has emerged as a powerful tool for understanding human embryonic development due to its remarkable resemblance to humans. This model offers a unique platform for investigating the effects of substances on developing embryos, employing techniques such as ex ovo and in ovo assays, chorioallantoic membrane assays, and embryonic culture techniques. The advantages of chicken embryonic models include their accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and biological relevance to vertebrate development, enabling efficient screening of developmental toxicity. However, these models have limitations, such as the absence of a placenta and maternal metabolism, impacting the study of nutrient exchange and hormone regulation. Despite these limitations, understanding and mitigating the challenges posed by the absence of a placenta and maternal metabolism are critical for maximizing the utility of the chick embryo model in developmental toxicity testing. Indeed, the insights gained from utilizing these assays and their constraints can significantly contribute to our understanding of the developmental impacts of various agents. This review underscores the utilization of chicken embryonic models in developmental toxicity testing, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages by addressing the challenges posed by their physiological differences from mammalian systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biswajeet Acharya
- School of Pharmacy, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha, India; State Forensic Laboratory, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Sandip Dey
- Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India; State Forensic Laboratory, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Prafulla Kumar Sahu
- School of Pharmacy, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha, India; State Forensic Laboratory, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
| | - Amulyaratna Behera
- School of Pharmacy, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha, India; State Forensic Laboratory, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
| | - Bimalendu Chowdhury
- Roland Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khodasingi, Brahmapur, Odisha, India; State Forensic Laboratory, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Suchismeeta Behera
- Roland Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khodasingi, Brahmapur, Odisha, India; State Forensic Laboratory, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
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Mesas C, Chico MA, Doello K, Lara P, Moreno J, Melguizo C, Perazzoli G, Prados J. Experimental Tumor Induction and Evaluation of Its Treatment in the Chicken Embryo Chorioallantoic Membrane Model: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:837. [PMID: 38255911 PMCID: PMC10815318 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020837] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model, generated during avian development, can be used in cancer research as an alternative in vivo model to perform tumorigenesis in ovo due to advantages such as simplicity, low cost, rapid growth, and being naturally immunodeficient. The aim of this systematic review has been to compile and analyze all studies that use the CAM assay as a tumor induction model. For that, a systematic search was carried out in four different databases: PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and WOS. After eliminating duplicates and following the established inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 74 articles were included. Of these, 62% use the in ovo technique, 13% use the ex ovo technique, 9% study the formation of metastasis, and 16% induce tumors from patient biopsies. Regarding the methodology followed, the main species used is chicken (95%), although some studies use quail eggs (4%), and one article uses ostrich eggs. Therefore, the CAM assay is a revolutionary technique that allows a simple and effective way to induce tumors, test the effectiveness of treatments, carry out metastasis studies, perform biopsy grafts of patients, and carry out personalized medicine. However, unification of the methodology used is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Mesas
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), 18100 Granada, Spain; (C.M.); (P.L.); (J.M.); (J.P.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; (M.A.C.); (K.D.)
| | - Maria Angeles Chico
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; (M.A.C.); (K.D.)
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Kevin Doello
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; (M.A.C.); (K.D.)
- Service of Medical Oncology, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Patricia Lara
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), 18100 Granada, Spain; (C.M.); (P.L.); (J.M.); (J.P.)
| | - Javier Moreno
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), 18100 Granada, Spain; (C.M.); (P.L.); (J.M.); (J.P.)
| | - Consolación Melguizo
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), 18100 Granada, Spain; (C.M.); (P.L.); (J.M.); (J.P.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; (M.A.C.); (K.D.)
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Gloria Perazzoli
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), 18100 Granada, Spain; (C.M.); (P.L.); (J.M.); (J.P.)
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Jose Prados
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), 18100 Granada, Spain; (C.M.); (P.L.); (J.M.); (J.P.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; (M.A.C.); (K.D.)
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
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Rajalingam D, Boix F, Khoder A, Andersen JM, Paulsen RE. Distribution of morphine and methadone to the brain in a developmental chicken embryo model. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2023; 479:116731. [PMID: 37866706 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2023.116731] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
The use and/or misuse of opioids by pregnant women would expose the fetuses to these drugs during critical stages of development with serious effects for the newborn, like the neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). We have revisited an established chicken model for NAS to describe the distribution of morphine and methadone to the brain and explore its validity as a valuable alternative to rodent models. For this purpose, chicken eggs were injected with a single dose of 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg morphine or 20 mg/kg methadone onto the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) on embryonal day 13. Whole brains and lungs were harvested and the concentrations of morphine, methadone and their subsequent metabolites (morphine-3-glucuronide and EDDP, respectively) determined in the brain and lungs at different time points using LC-MS/MS. Morphine and methadone, as well as their metabolites, were detected both in the brain and lungs, with significantly higher concentrations in the lungs. Pharmacokinetic modelling showed that the distribution of morphine to the brain followed a first-order absorption with transit compartments and linear elimination, with concentrations linearly dependent on dose. Moreover, methadone, but not morphine, reduced μ receptor (the main morphine receptor) binding, which can be of relevance for opioid tolerance. The present study is the first to report the brain distribution of morphine, which can be described by standard pharmacokinetic processes, and methadone in the developing chicken embryo. The present findings supplement the already established model and support the use of this chicken model to study NAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhaksshaginy Rajalingam
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O Box 1068, Blindern, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Fernando Boix
- Section for Drug Abuse Research, Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Ala Khoder
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O Box 1068, Blindern, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jannike Mørch Andersen
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O Box 1068, Blindern, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway; Section for Drug Abuse Research, Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Ragnhild Elisabeth Paulsen
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O Box 1068, Blindern, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway.
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Weiss L, Saller AM, Werner J, Süß SC, Reiser J, Kollmansperger S, Anders M, Potschka H, Fenzl T, Schusser B, Baumgartner C. Nociception in Chicken Embryos, Part I: Analysis of Cardiovascular Responses to a Mechanical Noxious Stimulus. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2710. [PMID: 37684974 PMCID: PMC10486618 DOI: 10.3390/ani13172710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Although it is assumed that chicken embryos acquire the capacity for nociception while developing in the egg, an exact time point has not yet been specified. The present research was an exploratory study aiming to determine when the capacity of nociception emerges during embryonic development in chickens. Changes in blood pressure and heart rate (HR) in response to a noxious mechanical stimulus at the base of the beak versus a light touch on the beak were examined in chicken embryos between embryonic days (EDs) 7 and 18. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was the most sensitive parameter for assessing cardiovascular responses. Significant changes in MAP in response to a noxious stimulus were detected in embryos at ED16 to ED18, whereas significant changes in HR were observed at ED17 and ED18. Infiltration anesthesia with the local anesthetic lidocaine significantly reduced the response of MAP on ED18, so the measured cardiovascular changes may be interpreted as nociceptive responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Weiss
- Center for Preclinical Research, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (L.W.); (A.M.S.); (J.W.); (S.C.S.); (J.R.)
| | - Anna M. Saller
- Center for Preclinical Research, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (L.W.); (A.M.S.); (J.W.); (S.C.S.); (J.R.)
| | - Julia Werner
- Center for Preclinical Research, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (L.W.); (A.M.S.); (J.W.); (S.C.S.); (J.R.)
| | - Stephanie C. Süß
- Center for Preclinical Research, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (L.W.); (A.M.S.); (J.W.); (S.C.S.); (J.R.)
| | - Judith Reiser
- Center for Preclinical Research, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (L.W.); (A.M.S.); (J.W.); (S.C.S.); (J.R.)
| | - Sandra Kollmansperger
- Clinic for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (S.K.); (M.A.); (T.F.)
| | - Malte Anders
- Clinic for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (S.K.); (M.A.); (T.F.)
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80539 Munich, Germany;
| | - Thomas Fenzl
- Clinic for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (S.K.); (M.A.); (T.F.)
| | - Benjamin Schusser
- Reproductive Biotechnology, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany;
| | - Christine Baumgartner
- Center for Preclinical Research, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (L.W.); (A.M.S.); (J.W.); (S.C.S.); (J.R.)
- Veterinary Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80539 Munich, Germany
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Wæhler HA, Labba NA, Paulsen RE, Sandve GK, Eskeland R. ANDA: An open-source tool for automated image analysis of neuronal differentiation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.27.538564. [PMID: 37162841 PMCID: PMC10168306 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.27.538564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Background Imaging of in vitro neuronal differentiation and measurements of cell morphologies has led to novel insights into neuronal development. Live-cell imaging techniques and large datasets of images has increased the demand for automated pipelines for quantitative analysis of neuronal morphological metrics. Results We present ANDA, an analysis workflow for quantification of various aspects of neuronal morphology from high-throughput live-cell imaging screens. This tool automates the analysis of neuronal cell numbers, neurite lengths and neurite attachment points. We used rat, chicken and human in vitro models for neuronal differentiation and have demonstrated the accuracy, versatility, and efficiency of the tool. Conclusions ANDA is an open-source tool that is easy to use and capable of automated processing from time-course measurements of neuronal cells. The strength of this pipeline is the capability to analyse high-throughput imaging screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hallvard Austin Wæhler
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 1112 Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Nils-Anders Labba
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 1112 Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Norway
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Ragnhild Elisabeth Paulsen
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Norway
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Geir Kjetil Sandve
- Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Norway
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Ragnhild Eskeland
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 1112 Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
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Fischer D, Fluegen G, Garcia P, Ghaffari-Tabrizi-Wizsy N, Gribaldo L, Huang RYJ, Rasche V, Ribatti D, Rousset X, Pinto MT, Viallet J, Wang Y, Schneider-Stock R. The CAM Model-Q&A with Experts. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010191. [PMID: 36612187 PMCID: PMC9818221 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), as an extraembryonic tissue layer generated by the fusion of the chorion with the vascularized allantoic membrane, is easily accessible for manipulation. Indeed, grafting tumor cells on the CAM lets xenografts/ovografts develop in a few days for further investigations. Thus, the CAM model represents an alternative test system that is a simple, fast, and low-cost tool to study tumor growth, drug response, or angiogenesis in vivo. Recently, a new era for the CAM model in immune-oncology-based drug discovery has been opened up. Although there are many advantages offering extraordinary and unique applications in cancer research, it has also disadvantages and limitations. This review will discuss the pros and cons with experts in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Fischer
- Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Georg Fluegen
- Department of General, Visceral, Thoracic and Pediatric Surgery (A), Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, University Hospital Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Paul Garcia
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Research Center Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA)/Inserm U 1209/CNRS 5309, 38700 La Tronche, France
- R&D Department, Inovotion, 38700 La Tronche, France
| | - Nassim Ghaffari-Tabrizi-Wizsy
- SFL Chicken CAM Lab, Department of Immunology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Laura Gribaldo
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027 Ispra, Italy
| | - Ruby Yun-Ju Huang
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10051, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10051, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
| | - Volker Rasche
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Ulm University Medical Center, 89073 Ulm, Germany
| | - Domenico Ribatti
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neurosciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Marta Texeira Pinto
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Ipatimup—Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Jean Viallet
- R&D Department, Inovotion, 38700 La Tronche, France
| | - Yan Wang
- R&D Department, Inovotion, 38700 La Tronche, France
| | - Regine Schneider-Stock
- Experimental Tumorpathology, Institute of Pathology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, 94054 Erlangen, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-9131-8526-069
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Yadav A, Verhaegen S, Filis P, Domanska D, Lyle R, Sundaram AYM, Leithaug M, Østby GC, Aleksandersen M, Berntsen HF, Zimmer KE, Fowler PA, Paulsen RE, Ropstad E. Exposure to a human relevant mixture of persistent organic pollutants or to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid alone dysregulates the developing cerebellum of chicken embryo. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 166:107379. [PMID: 35792514 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. In the present study, we explored whether a human-relevant POP mixture affects the development of chicken embryo cerebellum. We used a defined mixture of 29 POPs, with chemical composition and concentrations based on blood levels in the Scandinavian population. We also evaluated exposure to a prominent compound in the mixture, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), alone. Embryos (n = 7-9 per exposure group) were exposed by injection directly into the allantois at embryonic day 13 (E13). Cerebella were isolated at E17 and subjected to morphological, RNA-seq and shot-gun proteomics analyses. There was a reduction in thickness of the molecular layer of cerebellar cortex in both exposure scenarios. Exposure to the POP mixture significantly affected expression of 65 of 13,800 transcripts, and 43 of 2,568 proteins, when compared to solvent control. PFOS alone affected expression of 80 of 13,859 transcripts, and 69 of 2,555 proteins. Twenty-five genes and 15 proteins were common for both exposure groups. These findings point to alterations in molecular events linked to retinoid X receptor (RXR) signalling, neuronal cell proliferation and migration, cellular stress responses including unfolded protein response, lipid metabolism, and myelination. Exposure to the POP mixture increased methionine oxidation, whereas PFOS decreased oxidation. Several of the altered genes and proteins are involved in a wide variety of neurological disorders. We conclude that POP exposure can interfere with fundamental aspects of neurodevelopment, altering molecular pathways that are associated with adverse neurocognitive and behavioural outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Yadav
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway; Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1068, Blindern, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Steven Verhaegen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway.
| | - Panagiotis Filis
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
| | - Diana Domanska
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital-Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Robert Lyle
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Arvind Y M Sundaram
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Magnus Leithaug
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Gunn Charlotte Østby
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway.
| | - Mona Aleksandersen
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway.
| | - Hanne Friis Berntsen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway; National Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 5330 Majorstuen, NO-0304, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Karin Elisabeth Zimmer
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway.
| | - Paul A Fowler
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
| | - Ragnhild Elisabeth Paulsen
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1068, Blindern, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Erik Ropstad
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway.
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A Face-To-Face Comparison of Tumor Chicken Chorioallantoic Membrane (TCAM) In Ovo with Murine Models for Early Evaluation of Cancer Therapy and Early Drug Toxicity. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143548. [PMID: 35884608 PMCID: PMC9325108 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethical considerations, cost, and time constraints have highlighted the need to develop alternatives to rodent in vivo models for evaluating drug candidates for cancer. The tumor chicken chorioallantoic membrane (TCAM) model provides an affordable and fast assay that permits direct visualization of tumor progression. Tumors from multiple species including rodents and human cell lines can be engrafted. In this study, we engrafted several tumor models onto the CAM and demonstrated that the TCAM model is an alternative to mouse models for preliminary cancer drug efficacy testing and toxicity analysis. Tumor cells were deposited onto CAM, and then grown for up to an additional 10 days before chronic treatments were administered. The drug response of anticancer therapies was screened in 12 tumor cell lines including glioblastoma, melanoma, breast, prostate, colorectal, liver, and lung cancer. Tumor-bearing eggs and tumor-bearing mice had a similar chemotherapy response (cisplatin and temozolomide) in four human and mouse tumor models. We also demonstrated that lethality observed in chicken embryos following chemotherapies such as cisplatin and cyclophosphamide were associated with corresponding side-effects in mice with body weight loss. According to our work, TCAM represents a relevant alternative model to mice in early preclinical oncology screening, providing insights for both the efficacy and the toxicity of anticancer drugs.
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Labba NA, Wæhler HA, Houdaifi N, Zosen D, Haugen F, Paulsen RE, Hadera MG, Eskeland R. Paracetamol perturbs neuronal arborization and disrupts the cytoskeletal proteins SPTBN1 and TUBB3 in both human and chicken in vitro models. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2022; 449:116130. [PMID: 35714712 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2022.116130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have linked long-term/high-dose usage of paracetamol (N-acetyl-para-aminophenol, APAP) during pregnancy to adverse neuropsychiatric outcomes, primarily attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), in the offspring. Though variable, ADHD has been associated with phenotypic alterations characterized by reductions in grey matter densities and aberrations in structural connectivity, effects which are thought to originate in neurodevelopment. We used embryonic chicken cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) and neuronally differentiating human NTERA2 cells (NT2Ns) to investigate the in vitro effects of APAP on cell viability, migration, neuritogenesis, and the intracellular levels of various proteins involved in neurodevelopment as well as in the maintenance of the structure and function of neurites. Exposure to APAP ranging from 100 to 1600 μM yielded concentration- and time-dependent reductions in cell viability and levels of neurite arborization, as well as reductions in the levels of the cytoskeletal protein β2-spectrin, with the highest APAP concentration resulting in between 50 and 75% reductions in the aforementioned metrics over the course of 72 h. Exposure to APAP also reduced migration in the NT2Ns but not CGNs. Moreover, we found concentration- and time-dependent increases in punctate aggregation of the cytoskeletal protein β3-tubulin following exposure to APAP in both cell model systems, with the highest APAP concentration approximately doubling the number of aggregates over 72-120 h. Our findings demonstrate that APAP negatively perturbs neurite arborization degree, with concurrent reductions in the protein levels of β2-spectrin and disruption of the integrity of β3-tubulin, both proteins of which play important roles in neuronal structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils-Anders Labba
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway; Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway; PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Hallvard Austin Wæhler
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway; PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Nora Houdaifi
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Denis Zosen
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Fred Haugen
- Department of Work Psychology and Physiology, National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI), Oslo, Norway
| | - Ragnhild Elisabeth Paulsen
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway; PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Mussie Ghezu Hadera
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway; PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Ragnhild Eskeland
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway; PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway.
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10
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Perspective: Chicken Models for Studying the Ontogenetic Origin of Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051155. [PMID: 35625892 PMCID: PMC9138209 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Nutrients and xenobiotics cross the blood–placenta barrier, potentially depositing in the fetal brain. The prenatal exposure affects the neuroendocrine and microbial development. The mechanism underlying maternal risk factors reprograming the microbiota–gut–brain axis with long-term effects on psychosocial behaviors in offspring is not clear. In humans, it is not possible to assess the nutrient or xenobiotic deposition in the fetal brain and gastrointestinal system for ethical reasons. Moreover, the maternal–fetal microbe transfer during gestation, natural labor, and breast-feeding constitutes the initial gut microbiome in the progeny, which is inevitable in the most widely utilized rodent models. The social predisposition in precocial birds, including chickens, provides the possibility to test behavioral responses shortly after being hatched. Hence, chickens are advantageous in investigating the ontogenetic origin of behaviors. Chicken embryos are suitable for deposition assessment and mechanistic study due to the accessibility, self-contained development, uniform genetic background, robust microbiota, and easy in vivo experimental manipulation compared to humans and rodents. Therefore, chicken embryos can be used as an alternative to the rodent models in assessing the fetal exposure effect on neurogenesis and investigating the mechanism underlying the ontogenetic origin of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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11
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Zosen D, Austdal LPE, Bjørnstad S, Lumor JS, Paulsen RE. Antiepileptic drugs lamotrigine and valproate differentially affect neuronal maturation in the developing chick embryo, yet with PAX6 as a potential common mediator. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2022; 90:107057. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2021.107057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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12
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Abstract
The Tabula Gallus is a proposed project that aims to create a map of every cell type in the chicken body and chick embryos. Chickens (Gallus gallus) are one of the most recognized model animals that recapitulate the development and physiology of mammals. The Tabula Gallus will generate a compendium of single-cell transcriptome data from Gallus gallus, characterize each cell type, and provide tools for the study of the biology of this species, similar to other ongoing cell atlas projects (Tabula Muris and Tabula Sapiens/Human Cell Atlas for mice and humans, respectively). The Tabula Gallus will potentially become an international collaboration between many researchers. This project will be useful for the basic scientific study of Gallus gallus and other birds (e.g., cell biology, molecular biology, developmental biology, neuroscience, physiology, oncology, virology, behavior, ecology, and evolution). It will eventually be beneficial for a better understanding of human health and diseases.
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13
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In Vitro Antiviral Activity of Green Tea Polyphenon-60 against Avian Paramyxoviruses. Vet Med Int 2021; 2021:3411525. [PMID: 34912537 PMCID: PMC8668330 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3411525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian paramyxoviruses (APMVs) have caused an economically significant drop in global domestic poultry production because of their high morbidity and mortality rates. Polyphenols are the major components of green tea that have great antiviral effects. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-APMV activities of polyphenon-60. Twelve APMV-1 strains representing three different pathotypes, two strains of APMV-2, one strain of APMV-3, and one strain of APMV-7 were propagated in chicken embryos. To determine the cytotoxic effect, chicken embryo fibroblasts were treated with the test compound in various concentrations. To assess the antiviral properties, time-dependent, dose-dependent, and virulence-dependent experiments were conducted in both cell and chicken embryo models. A reduction in virus titers was measured by the hemagglutination test. The inhibitory effect on virus adsorption to the chicken red blood cell (RBC) surface was examined by the hemagglutination inhibition test. The results showed that lentogenic and mesogenic APMV-1 strains, APMV-3 strain, and APMV-7 strain were significantly inhibited (
) by polyphenon-60 at 50 μg/ml, while the 50% cytotoxic concentration of the compound was 345 μg/ml. Polyphenon-60 also exhibited the inhibitory activity against hemagglutination by NDV. Taken together, the results suggest that polyphenon-60 has shown promise as an antiviral agent that has wide safety margins against APMVs, and challenge studies to evaluate its efficacy in chickens are necessary.
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14
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Flores-Santin J, Burggren WW. Beyond the Chicken: Alternative Avian Models for Developmental Physiological Research. Front Physiol 2021; 12:712633. [PMID: 34744759 PMCID: PMC8566884 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.712633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomedical research focusing on physiological, morphological, behavioral, and other aspects of development has long depended upon the chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) as a key animal model that is presumed to be typical of birds and generally applicable to mammals. Yet, the modern chicken in its many forms is the result of artificial selection more intense than almost any other domesticated animal. A consequence of great variation in genotype and phenotype is that some breeds have inherent aberrant physiological and morphological traits that may show up relatively early in development (e.g., hypertension, hyperglycemia, and limb defects in the broiler chickens). While such traits can be useful as models of specific diseases, this high degree of specialization can color general experimental results and affect their translational value. Against this background, in this review we first consider the characteristics that make an animal model attractive for developmental research (e.g., accessibility, ease of rearing, size, fecundity, development rates, genetic variation, etc.). We then explore opportunities presented by the embryo to adult continuum of alternative bird models, including quail, ratites, songbirds, birds of prey, and corvids. We conclude by indicating that expanding developmental studies beyond the chicken model to include additional avian groups will both validate the chicken model as well as potentially identify even more suitable avian models for answering questions applicable to both basic biology and the human condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josele Flores-Santin
- Facultad de Ciencias, Biologia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Mexico, Toluca, Mexico
| | - Warren W Burggren
- Developmental Integrative Biology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas Denton, Denton, TX, United States
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15
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Kakebeen AD, Niswander L. Micronutrient imbalance and common phenotypes in neural tube defects. Genesis 2021; 59:e23455. [PMID: 34665506 PMCID: PMC8599664 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most common birth defects, with a prevalence of close to 19 per 10,000 births worldwide. The etiology of NTDs is complex involving the interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Since nutrient deficiency is a risk factor and dietary changes are the major preventative measure to reduce the risk of NTDs, a more detailed understanding of how common micronutrient imbalances contribute to NTDs is crucial. While folic acid has been the most discussed environmental factor due to the success that population-wide fortification has had on prevention of NTDs, folic acid supplementation does not prevent all NTDs. The imbalance of several other micronutrients has been implicated as risks for NTDs by epidemiological studies and in vivo studies in animal models. In this review, we highlight recent literature deciphering the multifactorial mechanisms underlying NTDs with an emphasis on mouse and human data. Specifically, we focus on advances in our understanding of how too much or too little retinoic acid, zinc, and iron alter gene expression and cellular processes contributing to the pathobiology of NTDs. Synthesis of the discussed literature reveals common cellular phenotypes found in embryos with NTDs resulting from several micronutrient imbalances. The goal is to combine knowledge of these common cellular phenotypes with mechanisms underlying micronutrient imbalances to provide insights into possible new targets for preventative measures against NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anneke Dixie Kakebeen
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Lee Niswander
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
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16
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Peripherally administered persistent organic pollutants distribute to the brain of developing chicken embryo in concentrations relevant for human exposure. Neurotoxicology 2021; 88:79-87. [PMID: 34757084 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2021.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) can reach the fetal brain and contribute to developmental neurotoxicity. To explore the distribution of POPs to the fetal brain, we exposed chicken embryos to a POP mixture, containing 29 different compounds with concentrations based on blood levels measured in the Scandinavian human population. The mixture was injected into the allantois at embryonic day 13 (E13), aiming at a theoretical concentration of 10 times human blood levels. POPs concentrations in the brain were measured at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 24, 48, and 72 h after administration. Twenty-seven of the individual compounds were detected during at least one of the time-points analyzed. Generally, the concentrations of most of the measured compounds were within the order of magnitude of those reported in human brain samples. Differences in the speed of distribution to the brain were observed between the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), which have protein binding potential, and the lipophilic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs). Based on pharmacokinetic modeling, PFASs were best described by a one compartment model. PFASs displayed relatively slow elimination (Kel) and persisted at high levels in the brain. Lipophilic OCPs and PCBs could be fitted to a 2-compartment model. These showed high levels in the brain relative to the dose administrated as calculated by area under the curve (AUC)/Dose. Altogether, our study showed that chicken is a suitable model to explore the distribution of POPs into the developing brain at concentrations which are relevant for humans.
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17
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Zosen D, Hadera MG, Lumor JS, Andersen JM, Paulsen RE. Chicken embryo as animal model to study drug distribution to the developing brain. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2021; 112:107105. [PMID: 34284116 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2021.107105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rodent models are routinely used to assess the safety and developmental toxicity of pharmaceuticals, along with analysis of their distribution. These models require sacrifice of parent females, have challenges in the estimation of the number of embryos and stage of development, and are expensive and time-consuming. In this study, we used fertilized chicken eggs as an alternative model to address drug distribution to the developing brain of two antiepileptic drugs, valproic acid (VPA) and lamotrigine (LTG) at two developmental stages. METHODS VPA or LTG was injected into the allantois of the egg on embryonic day 13 (E13) or E16. Whole chicken brains were harvested at time-points of 5 min to 24 h and the concentrations of the drugs determined using GC/MS and LC-MS/MS, for VPA and LTG, respectively. RESULTS VPA and LTG had distinct absorption and elimination phases and were found in the brain as early as 5-15 min after injection. Both drugs reached the brain in clinically relevant concentrations, with Cmax 10-30% of the calculated concentration assuming uniform distribution throughout the egg. LTG concentrations were higher when injected at E13 compared to E16. CONCLUSION The chicken embryo model may be a suitable alternative animal model for preclinical drug distribution studies. It enables to easily approach antenatal development on an individual level, with a precise number of experimental animals, high reproducibility and low time and cost. Knowledge of the concentrations reaching the brain at different developmental stages with different drugs is important for the planning and interpretation of neurodevelopmental toxicity studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Zosen
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Mussie Ghezu Hadera
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway; PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Josephine Sena Lumor
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway; PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jannike Mørch Andersen
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway; PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Section for Drug Abuse Research, Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Ragnhild Elisabeth Paulsen
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway; PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
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18
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Verity EE, Stewart K, Vandenberg K, Ong C, Rockman S. Potency Testing of Venoms and Antivenoms in Embryonated Eggs: An Ethical Alternative to Animal Testing. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13040233. [PMID: 33805138 PMCID: PMC8064111 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13040233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Venoms are complex mixtures of biologically active molecules that impact multiple physiological systems. Manufacture of antivenoms (AVs) therefore requires potency testing using in vivo models to ensure AV efficacy. As part of ongoing research to replace small animals as the standard model for AV potency testing, we developed an alternate in vivo method using the embryonated egg model (EEM). In this model, the survival of chicken embryos envenomated in ovo is determined prior to 50% gestation, when they are recognized as animals by animal welfare legislation. Embryos were found to be susceptible to a range of snake, spider, and marine venoms. This included funnel-web spider venom for which the only other vertebrate, non-primate animal model is newborn mice. Neutralization of venom with standard AV allowed correlation of AV potency results from the EEM to results from animal assays. Our findings indicate that the EEM provides an alternative, insensate in vivo model for the assessment of AV potency. The EEM may enable reduction or replacement of the use of small animals, as longer-term research that enables the elimination of animal use in potency testing continues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E. Verity
- Technical Development, Seqirus Ltd., Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (E.E.V.); (K.S.); (K.V.); (C.O.)
| | - Kathy Stewart
- Technical Development, Seqirus Ltd., Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (E.E.V.); (K.S.); (K.V.); (C.O.)
| | - Kirsten Vandenberg
- Technical Development, Seqirus Ltd., Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (E.E.V.); (K.S.); (K.V.); (C.O.)
| | - Chi Ong
- Technical Development, Seqirus Ltd., Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (E.E.V.); (K.S.); (K.V.); (C.O.)
| | - Steven Rockman
- Technical Development, Seqirus Ltd., Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (E.E.V.); (K.S.); (K.V.); (C.O.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-3-9389-2712
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19
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A human relevant mixture of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) differentially affect glutamate induced excitotoxic responses in chicken cerebellum granule neurons (CGNs) in vitro. Reprod Toxicol 2021; 100:109-119. [PMID: 33497742 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Primary cultures of cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) derived from chicken embryos were used to explore the effects on developmental neurotoxicity by a complex defined mixture of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Its chemical composition and concentrations were based on blood levels in the Norwegian/Scandinavian population. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) alone, its most abundant compound was also evaluated. Different stages of CGNs maturation, between day in vitro (DIV) 1, 3, and 5 were exposed to the POP mixture, or PFOS alone. Their combination with glutamate, an excitatory endogenous neurotransmitter important in neurodevelopment, also known to cause excitotoxicity was evaluated. Outcomes with the mixture at 500x blood levels were compared to PFOS at its corresponding concentration of 20 μM. The POP mixture reduced tetrazolium salt (MTT) conversion at earlier stages of maturation, compared to PFOS alone. Glutamate-induced excitotoxicity was enhanced above the level of that induced by glutamate alone, especially in mature CGNs at DIV5. Glutathione (GSH) concentrations seemed to set the level of sensitivity for the toxic insults from exposures to the pollutants. The role of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) mediated calcium influx in pollutant exposures was investigated using the non-competitive and competitive receptor antagonists MK-801 and CGP 39551. Observations indicate a calcium-independent, but still NMDA-R dependent mechanism in the absence of glutamate, and a calcium- and NMDA-R dependent one in the presence of glutamate. The outcomes for the POP mixture cannot be explained by PFOS alone, indicating that other chemicals in the mixture contribute its overall effect.
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20
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Burggren W, Rojas Antich M. Angiogenesis in the Avian Embryo Chorioallantoic Membrane: A Perspective on Research Trends and a Case Study on Toxicant Vascular Effects. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2020; 7:jcdd7040056. [PMID: 33291457 PMCID: PMC7762154 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd7040056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of the avian embryo is an intrinsically interesting gas exchange and osmoregulation organ. Beyond study by comparative biologists, however, the CAM vascular bed has been the focus of translational studies by cardiovascular life scientists interested in the CAM as a model for probing angiogenesis, heart development, and physiological functions. In this perspective article, we consider areas of cardiovascular research that have benefited from studies of the CAM, including the themes of investigation of the CAM's hemodynamic influence on heart and central vessel development, use of the CAM as a model vascular bed for studying angiogenesis, and the CAM as an assay tool. A case study on CAM vascularization effects of very low doses of crude oil as a toxicant is also presented that embraces some of these themes, showing the induction of subtle changes in the pattern of the CAM vasculature growth that are not readily observed by standard vascular assessment methodologies. We conclude by raising several questions in the area of CAM research, including the following: (1) Do changes in patterns of CAM growth, as opposed to absolute CAM growth, have biological significance?; (2) How does the relative amount of CAM vascularization compared to the embryo per se change during development?; and (3) Is the CAM actually representative of the mammalian systemic vascular beds that it is presumed to model?
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21
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Reithmayer C, Danne M, Mußhoff O. Look at that!-The effect pictures have on consumer preferences for in ovo gender determination as an alternative to culling male chicks. Poult Sci 2020; 100:643-653. [PMID: 33518118 PMCID: PMC7858000 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.09.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Gender determination in incubated eggs (in ovo) has the potential to substitute the highly discussed practice of culling male layer chicks. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect pictures have on peoples' preferences toward in ovo sexing at different stages of embryonic development and chick culling. For this purpose, an online survey was conducted with a representative sample of 482 respondents in Germany. A within-subject design with 2 choice experiments was used to investigate the influence pictures have on respondents' preferences and willingness to pay. The first-choice experiment contained plain text only; the second contained also pictures of a chick or the incubated eggs at the corresponding stages of development. Findings reveal that in ovo gender determination at each proposed day of incubation (d1, d4, and d9) was preferred to chick culling. In ovo screening on d1 and d4 was significantly preferred to d9. This preference for early gender determination increased significantly as a consequence to the provision of pictures. Results furthermore reveal that a high error rate of gender determination or the lack of a meaningful utilization of incubated eggs can decrease approval for in ovo gender determination to an extent, where no positive willingness to pay remains. Findings of this study are useful for stakeholders in poultry production when considering the implementation of in ovo gender determination as a morally admissible substitute to chick culling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corrina Reithmayer
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Michael Danne
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Mußhoff
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
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22
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Wachholz GE, Varela APM, Teixeira TF, de Matos SMS, Rigon da Luz Soster P, Vianna FSL, de Souza DOG, Roehe PM, Schuler-Faccini L, Fraga LR. Zika virus-induced brain malformations in chicken embryos. Birth Defects Res 2020; 113:22-31. [PMID: 33009728 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zika virus (ZIKV) was confirmed to be related to microcephaly in 2016. However, there is still a need for understanding the embryonic morphological changes induced by ZIKV and when they occur. Here, chicken embryos were chosen as experimental model of ZIKV to evaluate virus-associated morphological alterations that might take place during embryonic development. METHODS A screening with different viral doses was conducted in embryos at HH Stage 10-12 (E1.5) as well as a follow up of the first 5 days postinfection (dpi) was performed to observe the main morphologic changes post ZIKV infection. RESULTS ZIKV exposed embryos presented a higher prevalence of mortality and defects such as brain malformation when compared to controls. Moreover, we observed that the phenotypes become more evident at 4dpi, when the viral load quantification reaches a peak. CONCLUSIONS We found that ZIKV exposed embryos presented a high prevalence of mortality and central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities in a dose-dependent manner. The phenotype was more evident 4 days postinfection, when the viral load quantification reached a peak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Elis Wachholz
- Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Teratogen Information Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Experimental Research Center, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Muterle Varela
- Postgraduate Program in Biosciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Thais Fumaco Teixeira
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Sophia Martins Simon de Matos
- Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Experimental Research Center, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Paula Rigon da Luz Soster
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Sales Luiz Vianna
- Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Teratogen Information Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Experimental Research Center, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Diogo Onofre Gomes de Souza
- Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry, Departamento f Biochemistry, Institute of Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Paulo Michel Roehe
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lavínia Schuler-Faccini
- Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Teratogen Information Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lucas Rosa Fraga
- Teratogen Information Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Experimental Research Center, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Morphological Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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23
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Tombarkiewicz B, Trzeciak K, Bojarski B, Lis MW. The effect of methionine and folic acid administered in ovo on the hematological parameters of chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). Poult Sci 2020; 99:4578-4585. [PMID: 32868002 PMCID: PMC7598025 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Methionine (Met), an essential amino acid in poultry diets, when overdosed may cause hyperhomocysteinemia, which is mainly a trigger for cardiovascular diseases in humans. Homocysteine is neutralized (remethylated) in the presence of folic acid (FA), which also plays an important role in hematopoiesis and participates in the synthesis of DNA, and its deficiencies may result in the development of neural tube defects. One of the basic tools in studying the impact of both xenobiotics and nutrients on the animal organism is hematological analysis. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of in ovo supplementation with Met and FA on the hematological parameters of broiler chickens. On the 17th day of incubation, embryonated eggs (Ross 308) were injected with 5 or 25 mg of Met per egg (M5 and M25), 3 and 15 mg of FA per egg (F3 and F15), or a mixture of these 2 compounds (M5/F3 and M25/F15). The broilers were reared in accordance with welfare regulations and fed with commercial diets ad libitum. Blood samples were collected on the first, seventh, and 35th day of rearing (D1, D7, and D35), and complete hematological analysis was performed. The observed changes in red blood cell parameters probably result from physiological changes occurring during bird growth. Mean erythrocyte volume decreased with the age of chickens in the control, M5, and M25 groups, but not in those supplied with FA. Among supplemented groups, the number of white blood cells on D1 was lower only in group M5 than in the sham (C) group. The analysis of leukograms showed no significant differences between the groups. Comparing D1 with D7 in the group injected with a higher dose of Met and FA (MF25/15), a statistically significant increase in the percentage of lymphocytes and a significant decrease in the percentage of heterophils were observed. In addition, in the group injected with a higher FA dose (F15), there was statistically significant reduction in the percentage of eosinophils and a significant increase in the percentage of monocytes at day 7 compared with day 1. It seems that Met supplementation led to temporary immunosuppression in the animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Tombarkiewicz
- Department of Zoology and Animal Welfare, Faculty of Animal Science, University of Agriculture in Krakow, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Karolina Trzeciak
- Department of Zoology and Animal Welfare, Faculty of Animal Science, University of Agriculture in Krakow, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Bartosz Bojarski
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Opole, 45-052 Opole, Poland
| | - Marcin W Lis
- Department of Zoology and Animal Welfare, Faculty of Animal Science, University of Agriculture in Krakow, 30-059 Krakow, Poland.
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Winter G, Koch ABF, Löffler J, Lindén M, Solbach C, Abaei A, Li H, Glatting G, Beer AJ, Rasche V. Multi-Modal PET and MR Imaging in the Hen's Egg Test-Chorioallantoic Membrane (HET-CAM) Model for Initial in Vivo Testing of Target-Specific Radioligands. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12051248. [PMID: 32429233 PMCID: PMC7281765 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The validation of novel target-specific radioligands requires animal experiments mostly using mice with xenografts. A pre-selection based on a simpler in vivo model would allow to reduce the number of animal experiments, in accordance with the 3Rs principles (reduction, replacement, refinement). In this respect, the chick embryo or hen’s egg test–chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM) model is of special interest, as it is not considered an animal until day 17. Thus, we evaluated the feasibility of quantitative analysis of target-specific radiotracer accumulation in xenografts using the HET-CAM model and combined positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For proof-of-principle we used established prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive and PSMA-negative prostate cancer xenografts and the clinically widely used PSMA-specific PET-tracer [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11. Tracer accumulation was quantified by PET and tumor volumes measured with MRI (n = 42). Moreover, gamma-counter analysis of radiotracer accumulation was done ex-vivo. A three- to five-fold higher ligand accumulation in the PSMA-positive tumors compared to the PSMA-negative tumors was demonstrated. This proof-of-principle study shows the general feasibility of the HET-CAM xenograft model for target-specific imaging with PET and MRI. The ultimate value for characterization of novel target-specific radioligands now has to be validated in comparison to mouse xenograft experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon Winter
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (A.B.F.K.); (J.L.); (C.S.); (A.J.B.)
- Correspondence: (G.W.); (V.R.); Tel.: +49-731-500-61364 (G.W.); +49-731-500-45014 (V.R.)
| | - Andrea B. F. Koch
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (A.B.F.K.); (J.L.); (C.S.); (A.J.B.)
| | - Jessica Löffler
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (A.B.F.K.); (J.L.); (C.S.); (A.J.B.)
- Core Facility Small Animal Imaging, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (A.A.); (H.L.)
| | - Mika Lindén
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry II, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany;
| | - Christoph Solbach
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (A.B.F.K.); (J.L.); (C.S.); (A.J.B.)
| | - Alireza Abaei
- Core Facility Small Animal Imaging, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (A.A.); (H.L.)
| | - Hao Li
- Core Facility Small Animal Imaging, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (A.A.); (H.L.)
| | - Gerhard Glatting
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Radiation Physics, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany;
| | - Ambros J. Beer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (A.B.F.K.); (J.L.); (C.S.); (A.J.B.)
| | - Volker Rasche
- Core Facility Small Animal Imaging, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (A.A.); (H.L.)
- Internal Medicine II, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
- Correspondence: (G.W.); (V.R.); Tel.: +49-731-500-61364 (G.W.); +49-731-500-45014 (V.R.)
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Sharma A, Ishak N, Swee-Hin T, Pramanik M. High resolution, label-free photoacoustic imaging of live chicken embryo developing in bioengineered eggshell. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2020; 13:e201960108. [PMID: 31908159 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201960108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Chicken embryos have been proven to be an attractive vertebrate model for biomedical research. They have helped in making significant contributions for advancements in various fields like developmental biology, cancer research and cardiovascular studies. However, a non-invasive, label-free method of imaging live chicken embryo at high resolution still needs to be developed and optimized. In this work, we have shown the potential of photoacoustic tomography (PAT) for imaging live chicken embryos cultured in bioengineered eggshells. Laser pulses at wavelengths of 532 and 740 nm were used for attaining cross-sectional images of chicken embryos at different developmental stages. Cross-sections along different depths were imaged to gain knowledge of the relative depth of different vessels and organs. Due to high optical absorption of vasculature and embryonic eye, images with good optical contrast could be acquired using this method. We have thus reported a label-free method of performing cross-sectional imaging of chicken embryos at high resolution demonstrating the capacity of PAT as a promising tool for avian embryo imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arunima Sharma
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Noreen Ishak
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Teoh Swee-Hin
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Manojit Pramanik
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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Urban JD, Wikoff DS, Chappell GA, Harris C, Haws LC. Systematic evaluation of mechanistic data in assessing in utero exposures to trichloroethylene and development of congenital heart defects. Toxicology 2020; 436:152427. [PMID: 32145346 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2020.152427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The hypothesis that in utero exposures to low levels of trichloroethylene (TCE) may increase the risk of congenital heart defects (CHDs) in offspring remains a subject of substantial controversy within the scientific community due primarily to the reliance on an inconsistent and unreproducible experimental study in rats. To build on previous assessments that have primarily focused on epidemiological and experimental animal studies in developing conclusions, the objective of the current study is to conduct a systematic evaluation of mechanistic data related to in utero exposures to TCE and the development of CHDs. The evidence base was heterogeneous; 79 mechanistic datasets were identified, characterizing endpoints which ranged from molecular to organismal responses in seven species, involving both in vivo and in vitro study designs in mammalian and non-mammalian models. Of these, 24 datasets were considered reliable following critical appraisal using a study quality tool that employs metrics specific to the study type. Subsequent synthesis and integration demonstrated that the available mechanistic data: 1) did not support the potential for CHD hazard in humans, 2) did not support the biological plausibility of a response in humans based on organization via a putative adverse outcome pathway for valvulo-septal cardiac defects, and 3) were not suitable for serving as candidate studies in risk assessment. Findings supportive of an association were generally limited to in ovo chicken studies, in which TCE was administered in high concentration solutions via direct injection. Results of these in ovo studies were difficult to interpret for human health risk assessment given the lack of generalizability of the study models (including dose relevance, species-specific biological differences, variations in the construct of the study design, etc.). When the mechanistic data are integrated with findings from previous evaluations of human and animal evidence streams, the totality of evidence does not support CHDs as a critical effect in TCE human health risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Urban
- ToxStrategies, Inc., 9390 Research Blvd, Ste. 100, Austin, TX, 78759, USA.
| | - Daniele S Wikoff
- ToxStrategies, Inc., 31 College Place, Ste. B118, Asheville, NC, 28801, USA
| | - Grace A Chappell
- ToxStrategies, Inc., 31 College Place, Ste. B118, Asheville, NC, 28801, USA
| | - Craig Harris
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Laurie C Haws
- ToxStrategies, Inc., 9390 Research Blvd, Ste. 100, Austin, TX, 78759, USA
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Reithmayer C, Mußhoff O. Consumer preferences for alternatives to chick culling in Germany. Poult Sci 2019; 98:4539-4548. [PMID: 31162613 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pez272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of highly specialized breeds in poultry production has led to the situation in which fattening layer-type males are not economically viable, when competing with the conventional broiler meat. The vast majority of male layer chicks are therefore culled soon after hatching. Ethical concerns about this practice have led to a public debate in a number of countries, and its tenor seems unambiguous: the practice should end. Political and industrial representatives have also promoted putting an end to chick culling. Two alternatives that are already available or soon to be in the market in a number of countries are dual-use poultry production and in ovo gender determination. However, the alternatives are also not free from controversy. The presented study analyzes consumer attitudes towards these 2 alternatives. A discrete choice experiment on eggs with different production attributes was conducted among a sample of 400 German citizens. Results from a latent class model show that there is considerable heterogeneity in preferences, which can be depicted in 5 consumer segments. Consumer segments differ significantly in socioeconomic characteristics and attitudes towards chick-culling alternatives. One segment decides mainly based on product price. However, 28% of the sample show no price sensitivity but choose based on other product attributes such as the preferred chick-culling alternative or egg type. We find wide approval for in ovo gender determination with no segment disapproving of the technology. When it comes to dual-use poultry, the type of husbandry of cockerels is crucial for the approval of this production scheme. Rearing male chicks in free-range husbandry is the preferred alternative for one segment representing 27% of the sample. Results provide empirical evidence for a diversified egg demand, indicating diverse expectations for poultry production in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corrina Reithmayer
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Mußhoff
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
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Evaluation of the ameliorative effects of Phyllanthus niruri on the deleterious insecticide imidacloprid in the vital organs of chicken embryos. J Ayurveda Integr Med 2019; 11:495-501. [PMID: 31757597 PMCID: PMC7772494 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Insecticides are widely used in agriculture to curb the loss caused by insects. These insecticides are incorporated into the food chain and accumulate in the human body, as well disturb the various metabolic pathways. Imidacloprid is an insect neurotoxin commonly used in agriculture to control the insect pests. P. niruri is a traditional medicinal shrub widely used as an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and anti-lethality agent. Objective The present study is designed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of Phyllanthus niruri (Bhumi amla) on the deleterious Insecticide imidacloprid in the vital organs of Chicken embryos. Materials and methods The embryonated chicken eggs were divided into the four groups (one control and three treated groups); the chorioallantoic membranes of control received 200 μl phosphate buffer saline, whereas group I and group II received 100 μg imidacloprid and 200 μl aqueous extract of P. niruri (PNE) respectively. Group III received both 100 μg imidacloprid and 200 μl PNE. The serum was collected on the 18th day its development; which was subjected to the biochemical analysis based on colorimetric assay in semi-automated biochemical analyzer using commercial kits. Results We observed significant in ovo effects of imidacloprid on chicken embryos; the values of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), were increased in imidacloprid treated group I; histopathology also revealed damage to the liver (necrotic areas and dilated blood sinusoids). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), amylase, cholesterol, triglycerides protein and albumin levels were also altered significantly (p < 0.05). Conclusion The serum biochemicals were returned back to the nearly normal levels. PNE has ameliorated and overcome the effects of imidacloprid reasonably with the subsequent treatment among group III. Hence, P. niruri may be used to minimize the effects of an accidental exposure of imidacloprid.
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Fjelldal MF, Freyd T, Evenseth LM, Sylte I, Ring A, Paulsen RE. Exploring the overlapping binding sites of ifenprodil and EVT-101 in GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors using novel chicken embryo forebrain cultures and molecular modeling. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2019; 7:e00480. [PMID: 31164987 PMCID: PMC6543015 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) are widely expressed in the brain. GluN2B subunit-containing NMDARs has recently attracted significant attention as potential pharmacological targets, with emphasis on the functional properties of allosteric antagonists. We used primary cultures from chicken embryo forebrain (E10), expressing native GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors as a novel model system. Comparing the inhibition of calcium influx by well-known GluN2B subunit-specific allosteric antagonists, the following rank order of potency was found: EVT-101 (EC 50 22 ± 8 nmol/L) > Ro 25-6981 (EC 50 60 ± 30 nmol/L) > ifenprodil (EC 50 100 ± 40 nmol/L) > eliprodil (EC 50 1300 ± 700 nmol/L), similar to previous observations in rat cortical cultures and cell lines overexpressing chimeric receptors. The less explored Ro 04-5595 had an EC 50 of 186 ± 32 nmol/L. Venturing to explain the differences in potency, binding properties were further studied by in silico docking and molecular dynamics simulations using x-ray crystal structures of GluN1/GluN2B amino terminal domain. We found that Ro 04-5595 was predicted to bind the recently discovered EVT-101 binding site, not the ifenprodil-binding site. The EVT-101 binding pocket appears to accommodate more structurally different ligands than the ifenprodil-binding site, and contains residues essential in ligand interactions necessary for calcium influx inhibition. For the ifenprodil site, the less effective antagonist (eliprodil) fails to interact with key residues, while in the EVT-101 pocket, difference in potency might be explained by differences in ligand-receptor interaction patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marthe F. Fjelldal
- Department of Pharmaceutical BiosciencesSchool of PharmacyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Norwegian Defence Research EstablishmentKjellerNorway
- Realomics Strategic Research InitiativeOsloNorway
| | - Thibaud Freyd
- Molecular Pharmacology and ToxicologyDepartment of Medical BiologyUniversity of Tromsø—The Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
- Department of ChemistryHylleraas Centre for Quantum Molecular SciencesUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Linn M. Evenseth
- Molecular Pharmacology and ToxicologyDepartment of Medical BiologyUniversity of Tromsø—The Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
| | - Ingebrigt Sylte
- Molecular Pharmacology and ToxicologyDepartment of Medical BiologyUniversity of Tromsø—The Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
| | - Avi Ring
- Norwegian Defence Research EstablishmentKjellerNorway
| | - Ragnhild E. Paulsen
- Department of Pharmaceutical BiosciencesSchool of PharmacyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Realomics Strategic Research InitiativeOsloNorway
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30
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Kulén M, Lindgren M, Hansen S, Cairns AG, Grundström C, Begum A, van der Lingen I, Brännström K, Hall M, Sauer UH, Johansson J, Sauer-Eriksson AE, Almqvist F. Structure-Based Design of Inhibitors Targeting PrfA, the Master Virulence Regulator of Listeria monocytogenes. J Med Chem 2018; 61:4165-4175. [PMID: 29667825 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterial pathogen that controls much of its virulence through the transcriptional regulator PrfA. In this study, we describe structure-guided design and synthesis of a set of PrfA inhibitors based on ring-fused 2-pyridone heterocycles. Our most effective compound decreased virulence factor expression, reduced bacterial uptake into eukaryotic cells, and improved survival of chicken embryos infected with L. monocytogenes compared to previously identified compounds. Crystal structures identified an intraprotein "tunnel" as the main inhibitor binding site (AI), where the compounds participate in an extensive hydrophobic network that restricts the protein's ability to form functional DNA-binding helix-turn-helix (HTH) motifs. Our studies also revealed a hitherto unsuspected structural plasticity of the HTH motif. In conclusion, we have designed 2-pyridone analogues that function as site-AI selective PrfA inhibitors with potent antivirulence properties.
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31
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Myhre O, Låg M, Villanger GD, Oftedal B, Øvrevik J, Holme JA, Aase H, Paulsen RE, Bal-Price A, Dirven H. Early life exposure to air pollution particulate matter (PM) as risk factor for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Need for novel strategies for mechanisms and causalities. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2018; 354:196-214. [PMID: 29550511 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2018.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that air pollution particulate matter (PM) and adsorbed toxicants (organic compounds and trace metals) may affect child development already in utero. Recent studies have also indicated that PM may be a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). A pattern of increasing prevalence of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been suggested to partly be linked to environmental pollutants exposure, including PM. Epidemiological studies suggest associations between pre- or postnatal exposure to air pollution components and ADHD symptoms. However, many studies are cross-sectional without possibility to reveal causality. Cohort studies are often small with poor exposure characterization, and confounded by traffic noise and socioeconomic factors, possibly overestimating the study associations. Furthermore, the mechanistic knowledge how exposure to PM during early brain development may contribute to increased risk of ADHD symptoms or cognitive deficits is limited. The closure of this knowledge gap requires the combined use of well-designed longitudinal cohort studies, supported by mechanistic in vitro studies. As ADHD has profound consequences for the children affected and their families, the identification of preventable risk factors such as air pollution exposure should be of high priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oddvar Myhre
- Department of Toxicology and Risk Assessment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Marit Låg
- Department of Air pollution and Noise, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gro D Villanger
- Department of Child Health and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bente Oftedal
- Department of Air pollution and Noise, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Johan Øvrevik
- Department of Air pollution and Noise, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jørn A Holme
- Department of Air pollution and Noise, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Heidi Aase
- Department of Child Health and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ragnhild E Paulsen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Anna Bal-Price
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
| | - Hubert Dirven
- Department of Toxicology and Risk Assessment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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Krautwald-Junghanns ME, Cramer K, Fischer B, Förster A, Galli R, Kremer F, Mapesa EU, Meissner S, Preisinger R, Preusse G, Schnabel C, Steiner G, Bartels T. Current approaches to avoid the culling of day-old male chicks in the layer industry, with special reference to spectroscopic methods. Poult Sci 2018; 97:749-757. [DOI: 10.3382/ps/pex389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Cairns DM, Boorgu DSSK, Levin M, Kaplan DL. Niclosamide rescues microcephaly in a humanized in vivo model of Zika infection using human induced neural stem cells. Biol Open 2018; 7:7/1/bio031807. [PMID: 29378701 PMCID: PMC5829514 DOI: 10.1242/bio.031807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted flavivirus with a causative link to microcephaly, a condition resulting in reduced cranial size and brain abnormalities. Despite recent progress, there is a current lack of in vivo models that permit the study of systemic virus on human neurons in a developing organism that replicates the pathophysiology of human disease. Furthermore, no treatment to date has been reported to reduce ZIKV-induced microcephaly. We tested the effects of ZIKV on human induced neural stem cells (hiNSCs) in vitro and found that infected hiNSCs secrete inflammatory cytokines, display altered differentiation, and become apoptotic. We also utilized this in vitro system to assess the therapeutic effects of niclosamide, an FDA-approved anthelminthic, and found that it decreases ZIKV production, partially restores differentiation, and prevents apoptosis in hiNSCs. We intracranially injected hiNSCs into developing chicks, subjected them to systemic ZIKV infection via the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), a tissue similar in structure and function to the mammalian placenta, and found that humanized ZIKV-infected embryos developed severe microcephaly including smaller crania, decreased forebrain volume and enlarged ventricles. Lastly, we utilized this humanized model to show that CAM-delivery of niclosamide can partially rescue ZIKV-induced microcephaly and attenuate infection of hiNSCs in vivoThis article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana M Cairns
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | | | - Michael Levin
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA.,Allen Discovery Center, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA .,Allen Discovery Center, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
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Hadera MG, Andersen JM, Paulsen RE. Effects of methadone in the developing chicken embryo as a model of neurodevelopmental toxicity. Reprod Toxicol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2017.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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35
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RNA-Seq analysis on chicken taste sensory organs: An ideal system to study organogenesis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9131. [PMID: 28831098 PMCID: PMC5567234 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09299-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-Seq is a powerful tool in transcriptomic profiling of cells and tissues. We recently identified many more taste buds than previously appreciated in chickens using molecular markers to stain oral epithelial sheets of the palate, base of oral cavity, and posterior tongue. In this study, RNA-Seq was performed to understand the transcriptomic architecture of chicken gustatory tissues. Interestingly, taste sensation related genes and many more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found between the epithelium and mesenchyme in the base of oral cavity as compared to the palate and posterior tongue. Further RNA-Seq using specifically defined tissues of the base of oral cavity demonstrated that DEGs between gustatory (GE) and non-gustatory epithelium (NGE), and between GE and the underlying mesenchyme (GM) were enriched in multiple GO terms and KEGG pathways, including many biological processes. Well-known genes for taste sensation were highly expressed in the GE. Moreover, genes of signaling components important in organogenesis (Wnt, TGFβ/ BMP, FGF, Notch, SHH, Erbb) were differentially expressed between GE and GM. Combined with other features of chicken taste buds, e.g., uniquely patterned array and short turnover cycle, our data suggest that chicken gustatory tissue provides an ideal system for multidisciplinary studies, including organogenesis and regenerative medicine.
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Beedie SL, Diamond AJ, Fraga LR, Figg WD, Vargesson N. Vertebrate embryos as tools for anti-angiogenic drug screening and function. Reprod Toxicol 2017; 70:49-59. [PMID: 27888069 PMCID: PMC6357960 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2016.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The development of new angiogenic inhibitors highlights a need for robust screening assays that adequately capture the complexity of vessel formation, and allow for the quantitative evaluation of the teratogenicity of new anti-angiogenic agents. This review discusses the use of screening assays in vertebrate embryos, specifically focusing upon chicken and zebrafish embryos, for the detection of anti-angiogenic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaunna L Beedie
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK; Molecular Pharmacology Section, Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA
| | - Alexandra J Diamond
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Lucas Rosa Fraga
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK
| | - William D Figg
- Molecular Pharmacology Section, Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA
| | - Neil Vargesson
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK.
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Austdal LPE, Bjørnstad S, Mathisen GH, Aden PK, Mikkola I, Paulsen RE, Rakkestad KE. Glucocorticoid Effects on Cerebellar Development in a Chicken Embryo Model: Exploring Changes in PAX6 and Metalloproteinase-9 After Exposure to Dexamethasone. J Neuroendocrinol 2016; 28. [PMID: 27791298 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The developing cerebellum is vulnerable to effects of glucocorticoids and cerebellar dysfunction is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g. autism). Transcription factor PAX6 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) are critical for normal cerebellar development and are highly expressed in migrating neurones. Alterations in MMP-9 and PAX6 are associated with altered cerebellar development. In the present study, we characterised the growth rate and development of the cortical layers, and further investigated how the levels of PAX6 and MMP-9, as well as glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), change in the cerebellum during the foetal period [embryonic day (E)12-21] in chicken, which corresponds to the human perinatal period. Dexamethasone (DEX) was administered in ovo at E13 and E16, aiming to investigate how prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids interferes with normal development. DEX reduced foetal and cerebellar weight at E17 in a dose-dependent manner linked to a reduced level of PCNA and, over time, down-regulation of GR. We report that promoter activity of PAX6 and MMP-9 increased as a result of GR-stimulation in vitro. Prenatal DEX increased the protein level of PAX6 in a transient manner. PAX6 is reduced in mature granule neurones, and this occurred earlier in embryos exposed to DEX than in non-exposed controls. DEX exposure also led to a slow-onset down-regulation of MMP-9. Taken together, these findings indicate that excess prenatal glucocorticoid stimulation disturbs normal development of the cerebellum through mechanisms associated with reduced proliferation and accelerated maturation where PAX6 and MMP-9 play important roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- L P E Austdal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - S Bjørnstad
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital - Ullevål, Oslo, Norway
| | - G H Mathisen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - P K Aden
- Department of Neurosciences for Children, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - I Mikkola
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - R E Paulsen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - K E Rakkestad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Bjørnstad S, Samara A, Erichsen A, Paulsen RE, Glover JC, Roald B. Hampered Lung Maturation in Methimazole-Induced Hypothyroidism in Fetal Chicken: Morphological and Molecular Correlates to Human Fetal Development. Neonatology 2016; 110:83-92. [PMID: 27070722 DOI: 10.1159/000444656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Molecular understanding of lung development is crucial for developing therapies and diagnostic tools. Animal models with altered thyroid hormone signaling provide mechanistic insight into thyroid-dependent neonatal lung disease. Repression of Klf2 (Krüppel-like factor 2), a suggested T3 target gene, is associated with disrupted lung development in mice. Klf2 is proposed to be specifically involved in type I pneumocyte differentiation. OBJECTIVES To explore mechanisms of thyroid-dependent lung disease, we studied developing chicken fetuses with experimentally induced hypothyroidism. METHODS Morphology and the expression of a panel of molecules linked to Klf2 were assessed using histology, immunohistochemistry, Western blot and qPCR. RESULTS Methimazole injections at E14 hampered lung maturation. The effects of methimazole were evident in several tissue compartments, and impacted on both pneumocyte and vascular differentiation, suggesting cellular and molecular pleiotropy. CONCLUSIONS Concomitant expression changes in a panel of selected microRNAs regulated by Klf2 suggest importance in lung development. These microRNAs may thus represent potential clinical targets and diagnostic and prognostic tools in thyroid-dependent lung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid Bjørnstad
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital HF, Ullevx00E5;l, Oslo, Norway
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