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Magnano GC, Quadri M, Palazzo E, Lotti R, Loschi F, Dall'Acqua S, Abrami M, Larese Filon F, Marconi A, Hasa D. 3D human foreskin model for testing topical formulations of sildenafil citrate. Int J Pharm 2024; 649:123612. [PMID: 37992980 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123612] [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: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Sildenafil citrate is an approved drug used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Despite a widespread application, sildenafil citrate shows numerous adverse cardiovascular effects in high-risk patients. Local transdermal drug delivery of this drug is therefore being explored as an interesting and noninvasive alternative administration method that avoids adverse effects arised from peak plasma drug concentrations. Although human and animal skin represents the most reliable models to perform penetration studies, they involve a series of ethical issues and restrictions. For these reasons new in vitro approaches based on artificially reconstructed human skin or "human skin equivalents" are being developed as possible alternatives for transdermal testing. There is little information, however, on the efficiency of such new in vitro methods on cutaneous penetration of active ingredients. The objective of the current study was to investigate the sildenafil citrate loaded in three commercial transdermal vehicles using 3D full-thickness skin equivalent and compare the results with the permeability experiments using porcine skin. Our results demonstrated that, while the formulation plays an imperative role in an appropriate dermal uptake of sildenafil citrate, the D coefficient results obtained by using the 3D skin equivalent are comparable to those obtained by using the porcine skin when a simple drug suspension is applied (1.17 × 10-10 ± 0.92 × 10-10 cm2/s vs 3.5 × 102 ± 3.3 × 102 cm2/s), suggesting that in such case, this 3D skin model can be a valid alternative for ex-vivo skin absorption experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Camilla Magnano
- Clinical Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Trieste, Italy; Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy.
| | - Marika Quadri
- DermoLAB, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Palazzo
- DermoLAB, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Roberta Lotti
- DermoLAB, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Loschi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science and Pharmacology, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Stefano Dall'Acqua
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science and Pharmacology, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Michela Abrami
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Marconi
- DermoLAB, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
| | - Dritan Hasa
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy.
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Skottvoll F, Hansen FA, Harrison S, Boger IS, Mrsa A, Restan MS, Stein M, Lundanes E, Pedersen-Bjergaard S, Aizenshtadt A, Krauss S, Sullivan G, Bogen IL, Wilson SR. Electromembrane Extraction and Mass Spectrometry for Liver Organoid Drug Metabolism Studies. Anal Chem 2021; 93:3576-3585. [PMID: 33534551 PMCID: PMC8023518 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c05082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Liver organoids are emerging tools for precision drug development and toxicity screening. We demonstrate that electromembrane extraction (EME) based on electrophoresis across an oil membrane is suited for segregating selected organoid-derived drug metabolites prior to mass spectrometry (MS)-based measurements. EME allowed drugs and drug metabolites to be separated from cell medium components (albumin, etc.) that could interfere with subsequent measurements. Multiwell EME (parallel-EME) holding 100 μL solutions allowed for simple and repeatable monitoring of heroin phase I metabolism kinetics. Organoid parallel-EME extracts were compatible with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) used to separate the analytes prior to detection. Taken together, liver organoids are well-matched with EME followed by MS-based measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frøydis
Sved Skottvoll
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1033, Blindern, NO-0315 Oslo, Norway
- Hybrid
Technology Hub-Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1112, Blindern, NO-0317 Oslo, Norway
| | - Frederik André Hansen
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1068, Blindern, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sean Harrison
- Hybrid
Technology Hub-Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1112, Blindern, NO-0317 Oslo, Norway
| | - Ida Sneis Boger
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1033, Blindern, NO-0315 Oslo, Norway
- Hybrid
Technology Hub-Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1112, Blindern, NO-0317 Oslo, Norway
| | - Ago Mrsa
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1033, Blindern, NO-0315 Oslo, Norway
- Hybrid
Technology Hub-Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1112, Blindern, NO-0317 Oslo, Norway
| | - Magnus Saed Restan
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1068, Blindern, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Matthias Stein
- Institute
of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, TU Braunschweig, Beethovenstr.
55, DE-38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Elsa Lundanes
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1033, Blindern, NO-0315 Oslo, Norway
| | - Stig Pedersen-Bjergaard
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1068, Blindern, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway
- Department
of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Aleksandra Aizenshtadt
- Hybrid
Technology Hub-Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1112, Blindern, NO-0317 Oslo, Norway
| | - Stefan Krauss
- Hybrid
Technology Hub-Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1112, Blindern, NO-0317 Oslo, Norway
- Department
of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 1110, Blindern, 0317, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gareth Sullivan
- Hybrid
Technology Hub-Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1112, Blindern, NO-0317 Oslo, Norway
- Department
of Pediatric Research, Oslo University Hospital
and University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1112,
Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway
| | - Inger Lise Bogen
- Section
for Drug Abuse Research, Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950, Nydalen, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway
- Institute
of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1103,
Blindern, NO-0317 Oslo, Norway
| | - Steven Ray Wilson
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1033, Blindern, NO-0315 Oslo, Norway
- Hybrid
Technology Hub-Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1112, Blindern, NO-0317 Oslo, Norway
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Iliopoulos F, Chapman A, Lane ME. A comparison of the in vitro permeation of 3-O-ethyl-l-ascorbic acid in human skin and in a living skin equivalent (LabSkin™). Int J Cosmet Sci 2020; 43:107-112. [PMID: 33238056 DOI: 10.1111/ics.12675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The safety assessment of personal care products often entails determining dermal absorption of their ingredients. Such experiments are typically performed in human or animal skin in vitro; however, ethical and safety considerations are associated with obtaining these tissues. Several human skin equivalent models (HSEs) have been developed as alternatives to human tissue. The barrier function of such models however, is normally less developed than human skin. Here, we examine the permeability of the HSE LabSkinTM to a model compound, 3-O-ethyl-l-ascorbic acid (EA) compared with human skin. METHODS Skin uptake and permeation of EA was investigated in vitro using heat-separated human epidermis and LabSkinTM . Finite dose (5 μL cm-2 ) Franz-diffusion studies were conducted using 2 % (w/w) EA in a ternary solvent mixture comprising propylene glycol (PG), propylene glycol monolaurate (PGML), and isopropyl myristate (IPM). These excipients are commonly used in cosmetic products and they have been reported to promote permeation of EA in a different model, namely porcine skin. RESULTS Permeation of EA through LabSkinTM was evident from 2 h; however, EA permeation in human skin was not detected until 5 h. Similar amounts of EA permeated through the two membranes at time points 8, 10, 12 and 24 h (p > 0.05). The cumulative amounts of EA delivered through LabSkinTM at 24 h were 41.3 ± 2.0 µg cm-2 , corresponding to 55.1 ± 1.8 % of the applied dose. Similar amounts permeated across human skin, 49.4 ± 4.1 µg cm-2 , accounting for 58.0 ± 4.2 % of the dose applied (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION The permeation of EA in LabSkinTM compared well with results for human epidermis in terms of the permeation profiles and the cumulative amounts of EA that permeated. The data suggest that the skin barrier of the two models was similar with regard to their overall permeability to the hydrophilic active EA. The findings are promising for the use of LabSkinTM as a surrogate for human skin in permeability testing. Future studies will focus on exploring the reproducibility and robustness of LabSkinTM for delivery of other actives that span a range of physicochemical properties.
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Chuah LO, Foo HL, Loh TC, Mohammed Alitheen NB, Yeap SK, Abdul Mutalib NE, Abdul Rahim R, Yusoff K. Postbiotic metabolites produced by Lactobacillus plantarum strains exert selective cytotoxicity effects on cancer cells. Altern Ther Health Med 2019; 19:114. [PMID: 31159791 PMCID: PMC6547513 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2528-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Background Lactobacillus plantarum, a major species of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB), are capable of producing postbiotic metabolites (PM) with prominent probiotic effects that have been documented extensively for rats, poultry and pigs. Despite the emerging evidence of anticancer properties of LAB, very limited information is available on cytotoxic and antiproliferative activity of PM produced by L. plantarum. Therefore, the cytotoxicity of PM produced by six strains of L. plantarum on various cancer and normal cells are yet to be evaluated. Methods Postbiotic metabolites (PM) produced by six strains of L. plantarum were determined for their antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects on normal human primary cells, breast, colorectal, cervical, liver and leukemia cancer cell lines via MTT assay, trypan blue exclusion method and BrdU assay. The toxicity of PM was determined for human and various animal red blood cells via haemolytic assay. The cytotoxicity mode was subsequently determined for selected UL4 PM on MCF-7 cells due to its pronounced cytotoxic effect by fluorescent microscopic observation using AO/PI dye reagents and flow cytometric analyses. Results UL4 PM exhibited the lowest IC50 value on MCF-7, RG14 PM on HT29 and RG11 and RI11 PM on HL60 cell lines, respectively from MTT assay. Moreover, all tested PM did not cause haemolysis of human, dog, rabbit and chicken red blood cells and demonstrated no cytotoxicity on normal breast MCF-10A cells and primary cultured cells including human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, mice splenocytes and thymocytes. Antiproliferation of MCF-7 and HT-29 cells was potently induced by UL4 and RG 14 PM respectively after 72 h of incubation at the concentration of 30% (v/v). Fluorescent microscopic observation and flow cytometric analyses showed that the pronounced cytotoxic effect of UL4 PM on MCF-7 cells was mediated through apoptosis. Conclusion In conclusion, PM produced by the six strains of L. plantarum exhibited selective cytotoxic via antiproliferative effect and induction of apoptosis against malignant cancer cells in a strain-specific and cancer cell type-specific manner whilst sparing the normal cells. This reveals the vast potentials of PM from L. plantarum as functional supplement and as an adjunctive treatment for cancer.
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Burden N, Chapman K, Sewell F, Robinson V. Pioneering better science through the 3Rs: an introduction to the national centre for the replacement, refinement, and reduction of animals in research (NC3Rs). JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE : JAALAS 2015; 54:198-208. [PMID: 25836967 PMCID: PMC4382625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2014] [Revised: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 11/21/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement, and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) is an independent scientific organization that is based in the United Kingdom, which was set up by the government to lead the discovery and application of new technologies and approaches that minimize the use of animals in research and improve animal welfare. The NC3Rs uses a range of strategies to improve and advance science through application of the 3Rs. These include funding basic research, open innovation (CRACK IT), and programs run by inhouse scientists. We present several case studies from the NC3Rs portfolio, featuring asthma research, the use of nonhuman primates in monoclonal antibody development, and CRACK IT. Finally, we anticipate the future, as we use our experience to move into new research fields and expand toward international collaboration. Here we highlight how equipping scientists with relevant and emerging 3Rs tools can help overcome the challenges and limitations of the use of animals in research to the benefit of the whole bioscience community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Burden
- The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research, London, UK.
| | - Kathryn Chapman
- The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research, London, UK
| | - Fiona Sewell
- The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research, London, UK
| | - Vicky Robinson
- The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research, London, UK
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de Vries RBM, Leenaars M, Tra J, Huijbregtse R, Bongers E, Jansen JA, Gordijn B, Ritskes-Hoitinga M. The potential of tissue engineering for developing alternatives to animal experiments: a systematic review. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2013; 9:771-8. [PMID: 23554402 DOI: 10.1002/term.1703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2012] [Revised: 11/28/2012] [Accepted: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
An underexposed ethical issue raised by tissue engineering is the use of laboratory animals in tissue engineering research. Even though this research results in suffering and loss of life in animals, tissue engineering also has great potential for the development of alternatives to animal experiments. With the objective of promoting a joint effort of tissue engineers and alternative experts to fully realise this potential, this study provides the first comprehensive overview of the possibilities of using tissue-engineered constructs as a replacement of laboratory animals. Through searches in two large biomedical databases (PubMed, Embase) and several specialised 3R databases, 244 relevant primary scientific articles, published between 1991 and 2011, were identified. By far most articles reviewed related to the use of tissue-engineered skin/epidermis for toxicological applications such as testing for skin irritation. This review article demonstrates, however, that the potential for the development of alternatives also extends to other tissues such as other epithelia and the liver, as well as to other fields of application such as drug screening and basic physiology. This review discusses which impediments need to be overcome to maximise the contributions that the field of tissue engineering can make, through the development of alternative methods, to the reduction of the use and suffering of laboratory animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob B M de Vries
- 3R Research Centre / SYRCLE, Central Animal Laboratory, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marlies Leenaars
- 3R Research Centre / SYRCLE, Central Animal Laboratory, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Joppe Tra
- Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Erik Bongers
- Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - John A Jansen
- Department of Periodontology and Biomaterials, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bert Gordijn
- Institute of Ethics, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Merel Ritskes-Hoitinga
- 3R Research Centre / SYRCLE, Central Animal Laboratory, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Egles C, Huet HA, Dogan F, Cho S, Dong S, Smith A, Knight EB, McLachlan KR, Garlick JA. Integrin-blocking antibodies delay keratinocyte re-epithelialization in a human three-dimensional wound healing model. PLoS One 2010; 5:e10528. [PMID: 20502640 PMCID: PMC2873945 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2010] [Accepted: 04/06/2010] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The alpha6beta4 integrin plays a significant role in tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis through modulation of growth factor signaling, and is a potentially important therapeutic target. However, alpha6beta4-mediated cell-matrix adhesion is critical in normal keratinocyte attachment, signaling and anchorage to the basement membrane through its interaction with laminin-5, raising potential risks for targeted therapy. Bioengineered Human Skin Equivalent (HSE), which have been shown to mimic their normal and wounded counterparts, have been used here to investigate the consequences of targeting beta4 to establish toxic effects on normal tissue homeostasis and epithelial wound repair. We tested two antibodies directed to different beta4 epitopes, one adhesion-blocking (ASC-8) and one non-adhesion blocking (ASC-3), and determined that these antibodies were appropriately localized to the basal surface of keratinocytes at the basement membrane interface where beta4 is expressed. While normal tissue architecture was not altered, ASC-8 induced a sub-basal split at the basement membrane in non-wounded tissue. In addition, wound closure was significantly inhibited by ASC-8, but not by ASC-3, as the epithelial tongue only covered 40 percent of the wound area at 120 hours post-wounding. These results demonstrate beta4 adhesion-blocking antibodies may have adverse effects on normal tissue, whereas antibodies directed to other epitopes may provide safer alternatives for therapy. Taken together, we conclude that these three-dimensional tissue models provide a biologically relevant platform to identify toxic effects induced by candidate therapeutics, which will allow generation of findings that are more predictive of in vivo responses early in the drug development process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Egles
- Division of Cancer Biology and Tissue Engineering, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dental Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
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Giese C, Lubitz A, Demmler CD, Reuschel J, Bergner K, Marx U. Immunological substance testing on human lymphatic micro-organoids in vitro. J Biotechnol 2010; 148:38-45. [PMID: 20416346 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2010.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2009] [Revised: 02/23/2010] [Accepted: 03/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Pharmaceutical drugs and compounds used for consumer products may bear the risk of unexpected immuno-toxicological side effects, such as sensitization, allergy, anaphylaxis or immunogenicity. Modern biopharmaceuticals with high potency and target specificity, like antibodies and cytokines need to be tested for their therapeutical doses, their exposition regimens and their immune functionality prior to first-in-man applications. For the latter, existing in vitro tests and animal models do not sufficiently reflect the complexity and specificity of the human immune system. Even novel humanised animal models have limitations in their systemic reactions. Monolayer or suspended cell culture possesses neither tissue functionality nor organ physiology, and also cannot be used for long term culture and experiments. In contrast, solid tissue biopsies, e.g. tonsil preparations of tonsillitis patients typically show inflammatory artefacts and degrade in long term culture due to preparation-induced damage. The construction of tissue-like structures in vitro, so-called "micro-organoids", can overcome these limitations. Key structures of secondary lymphatic organs, e.g. lymph nodes or the spleen are the primary lymphatic follicles and germinal centres, in particular during the "activated state" of an inflammation or infection. To remodel lymphatic follicles, functional and structural cells, e.g. lymphoid cells derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and stromal cells need to be combined with biogenic or artificial matrices and scaffolds to produce a suitable 3D tissue-mimicking environment. Therefore, a unique human lymph node model (HuALN) was designed to operate over several weeks, and allow long term and repeated drug exposure to induce and monitor both cellular and humoral immune responses. Cellular immunity is monitored, for example, by cytokine release patterns; humoral immunity is analysed, for example, by B cell activation, plasma cell formation and antibody secretion profiles (IgM and IgG). Moreover, cellular composition and micro-organoid formation are analysed by flow cytometry, histology and in situ imaging.
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Carmichael P, Davies M, Dent M, Fentem J, Fletcher S, Gilmour N, MacKay C, Maxwell G, Merolla L, Pease C, Reynolds F, Westmoreland C. Non-Animal Approaches for Consumer Safety Risk Assessments: Unilever's Scientific Research Programme. Altern Lab Anim 2009; 37:595-610. [DOI: 10.1177/026119290903700605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Non-animal based approaches to risk assessment are now routinely used for assuring consumer safety for some endpoints (such as skin irritation) following considerable investment in developing and applying new methods over the past 20 years. Unilever's research programme into non-animal approaches for safety assessment is currently focused on the application of new technologies to risk assessments in the areas of skin allergy, cancer and general toxicity (including inhalation toxicity). In all of these areas, a long-term investment is essential to increase the scientific understanding of the underlying biological and chemical processes that we believe will ultimately form a sound basis for novel risk assessment approaches. Our research programme in these priority areas consists of in-house research as well as Unilever-sponsored academic research, involvement with EU-funded projects (e.g. Sens-it-iv, carcino-GENOMICS), participation in cross-industry collaborative research (e.g. COLIPA, EPAA) and ongoing involvement with other scientific initiatives on non-animal approaches to risk assessment (e.g. UK NC3Rs, US ‘Human Toxicology Project’ consortium).
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Carmichael
- Safety & Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC), Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedford, UK
| | - Michael Davies
- Safety & Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC), Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedford, UK
| | - Matt Dent
- Safety & Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC), Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedford, UK
| | - Julia Fentem
- Safety & Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC), Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedford, UK
| | - Samantha Fletcher
- Safety & Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC), Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedford, UK
| | - Nicola Gilmour
- Safety & Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC), Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedford, UK
| | - Cameron MacKay
- Safety & Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC), Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedford, UK
| | - Gavin Maxwell
- Safety & Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC), Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedford, UK
| | - Leona Merolla
- Safety & Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC), Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedford, UK
| | - Camilla Pease
- Safety & Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC), Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedford, UK
| | - Fiona Reynolds
- Safety & Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC), Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedford, UK
| | - Carl Westmoreland
- Safety & Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC), Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedford, UK
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Holmes AM, Creton S, Chapman K. Working in partnership to advance the 3Rs in toxicity testing. Toxicology 2009; 267:14-9. [PMID: 19903508 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2009.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2009] [Revised: 10/22/2009] [Accepted: 11/03/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Toxicological assessment of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical chemicals is a regulatory requirement to ensure all compounds likely to be exposed to humans or the environment are safe. These studies rely on the use of large numbers of animals and involve a number of assumptions and extrapolations that remain controversial in assuring consumer safety. The UK's National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) has taken a collaborative approach to identify opportunities for implementation of the 3Rs principles (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) to drive innovation and support animal welfare in toxicity testing. This review highlights the mechanisms by which the NC3Rs is working with the pharmaceutical and chemical industries and regulatory authorities to achieve these goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony M Holmes
- National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research, 20 Park Crescent, London W1B1AL, UK.
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