Protocol for designing INVITES-IN, a tool for assessing the internal validity of in vitro studies

This protocol describes the design and development of a tool for evaluation of the internal validity of in vitro studies, which is needed to include the data as evidence in systematic reviews and chemical risk assessments. The tool will be designed specifically to be applied to cell culture studies, including, but not restricted to, studies meeting the new approach methodology (NAM) definition. The tool is called INVITES-IN (IN VITro Experimental Studies INternal validity). In this protocol, three of the four studies that will be performed to create the release version of INVITES-IN are described. In the first study, evaluation of existing assessment tools will be combined with focus group discussions to identify how characteristics of the design or conduct of an in vitro study can affect its internal validity. Bias domains and items considered to be of relevance for in vitro studies will be identified. In the second study, group agreement on internal validity domains and items of importance for in vitro studies will be identified via a modified Delphi methodology. In the third study, the draft version of the tool will be created, based on the data on relevance and importance of bias domains and items collected in Studies 1 and 2. A separate protocol will be prepared for the fourth study, which includes the user testing and validation of the tool, and collection of users' experience.

Influence of the geographical origin on substance concentrations in herring as basis for dietary exposure assessments

Previous investigations on agricultural products showed that geographical origin influences concentrations of selected undesirable substances and ultimately dietary exposure assessment. This could also be relevant for fish from different catching areas, as substance concentrations have been found to vary between catching areas. Herring was chosen as an example. Norwegian and German data on consumption and substance concentrations were considered. To investigate if concentrations of substances are different in Norway and Germany, monitoring data between 2012 and 2017 were used. Norway provided data of commercial catching areas from the Norwegian Spring Spawning (NSS) herring stock, while Germany had market data available. Concentrations of cadmium, mercury and selenium tended to be higher in herring from Norway, while lead concentrations were higher in Germany. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) and non-dioxin-like PCBs (NDL-PCBs) tended to have higher concentrations in Germany, while perfluorinated alkylated substances (PFAS) were mostly below quantifiable levels in the two countries. These differences could be attributed to different herring stocks available on the market in Germany and Norway. Country-specific data on consumption and substance concentrations give a basis for a refined exposure assessment covering both the Norwegian and the German situation. This is of special importance if European risk assessments are carried out combining concentration data recorded in several countries without taking origin into account.

Glucocorticoid Effects on Cerebellar Development in a Chicken Embryo Model: Exploring Changes in PAX6 and Metalloproteinase-9 After Exposure to Dexamethasone

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.

TEGDMA and filler particles from dental composites additively attenuate LPS-induced cytokine release from the macrophage cell line RAW 264.7

OBJECTIVES

Due to incomplete curing and material degradation, cells in the oral cavity may be exposed to monomers and filler particles from dental composite fillings. The objective of the present study was to investigate if combined exposures to particles and a methacrylate monomer from composite fillings resulted in additive effects on the macrophage immune response.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Two filler particles, Nanosilica (12 nm) and Quartz (1 μm), were studied at concentrations 0.5-4 μg/cm(2), while the methacrylate monomer triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) was applied at 5 and 50 μM. RAW 264.7 macrophages were exposed to monomers and/or particles for 24 h, with a subsequent 24 h combined exposure to monomers and/or particles and the bacterial factor lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to stimulate an immune response. Release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured as well as the cellular viability.

RESULTS

Co-exposure to Nanosilica and Quartz resulted in an additive attenuation of the LPS-induced IL-1β release. Moreover, co-exposure to TEGDMA and both types of filler particles also resulted in an additive attenuation, although with a weak synergistic trend. The cellular viability and TNF-α release were not significantly affected by the exposures.

CONCLUSION

The present findings emphasize the necessity of considering effects of combined exposure to dental degradation products in future risk assessments.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Attenuated cytokine release could have implications for the macrophage immune response and result in impaired bacterial clearance. Further studies are necessary to determine implications for formation of dental biofilms and caries development.

Differences in NGFI-B, Nurr1, and NOR-1 expression and nucleocytoplasmic translocation in glutamate-treated neurons

NGFI-B (NR4A1, Nur77 or TR3) together with Nurr1 (NR4A2) and NOR-1 (NR4A3) constitute the NR4A subgroup of orphan nuclear receptors. They play critical roles in proliferation, differentiation, survival and apoptosis in different cell types, including neurons, immature T-cells, and different cancer cells. As ligand-independent and constitutively active receptors, the diverse biological activities of NGFI-B, Nurr1 and NOR-1 depend on their levels of expression, post-translational modifications and subcellular localization. Nuclear localization of the NR4A proteins leads to transcriptional activity, whereas NGFI-B and recently also NOR-1 have been shown to induce apoptosis by a more direct mechanism when localized at mitochondria. In the present study we investigated mRNA expression and subcellular translocation of the NR4A proteins during glutamate excitotoxicity in rat cerebellar granule neurons. NGFI-B and Nurr1 mRNA, but not NOR-1 mRNA, were induced by treatments associated with calcium influx, although their regulation seemed to be different. NR4A(gfp) fusion proteins showed a predominant nuclear localization in untreated cells. After glutamate treatment NGFI-B(gfp) translocated to cytosol and mitochondria within a few hours, whereas Nurr1(gfp) translocation was delayed, and NOR-1(gfp) mainly stayed in the nucleus. Subcellular targeting of NGFI-B seems to be tightly regulated, as a single mutation of threonine 142 altered NGFI-B(gfp) localization. Differences in expression and subcellular translocation of NGFI-B, Nurr1, and NOR-1 may reflect different functions in neurons in glutamate excitotoxicity.

Mono-2-ethylhexylphthalate (MEHP) induces TNF-α release and macrophage differentiation through different signalling pathways in RAW264.7 cells

Epidemiological studies have associated indoor phthalate exposure with increased incidences and severity of asthma in children and adults, and inflammatory effects have been suggested as a possible mechanism. Recent studies report that phthalates may activate mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase p38 and various peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) isoforms. Here we confirm and extend these findings by investigating possible signalling pathways activated in the murine monocyte-macrophage cell line RAW264.7, using mono-2-ethylhexylphthalate (MEHP) as a model compound. MEHP exposure (0.3-1.0 mM) for 3h increased tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α release and changed the cellular morphology into elongated spindle-like appearance, resembling more differentiated anti-inflammatory macrophages (M2). This was accompanied by increased expression of the macrophage differentiation marker CD163. Western analysis showed phosphorylation of p38 and Akt after 30 min exposure. Experiments using specific inhibitors suggested that MEHP-induced activation of both p38 and the phosphoinositide-3 (PI3) kinase/Akt pathway were involved in the release of TNF-α; whereas only PI3kinase seemed to be involved in differentiation. In contrast, inhibitors of PPARα and γ reduced differentiation, but did not affect TNF-α release. In conclusion, MEHP induced cytokine release and triggered differentiation of RAW264.7 cells, possibly into M2-like macrophages, but different signalling pathways appear to be involved in these responses.

Secretory PLA2-IIA and ROS generation in peripheral mitochondria are critical for neuronal death

In this study the role of mitochondrial secretory PLA2-IIA in glutamate-induced cell death in cultured cerebellar granule neurons has been investigated. Inhibition of secretory PLA2-IIA blocked glutamate-induced cell death. Since PLA2 may generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), we have investigated ROS production, detected as dihydrorhodamine 123 oxidation and nitrotyrosine modifications of proteins, following glutamate treatment in the absence or presence of an inhibitor of secretory PLA2-IIA. There was an increased generation of ROS in both glutamate- and buffer-treated neurons compared to untreated neurons. Scavenging with dihydrorhodamine 123 reduced glutamate-induced death (60%), showing that ROS detected in glutamate-treated neurons were associated with cell death. However, ROS detected in buffer-treated neurons were not associated with toxicity. Glutamate treatment led to ROS production predominantly in peripheral mitochondria, whereas buffer treatment led to ROS production in somal mitochondria. Inhibition of secretory PLA2-IIA (i) reduced the generation of ROS after glutamate treatment, (ii) reduced the ROS production in peripheral mitochondria in glutamate-treated neurons, consistent with the fact that calcium entry through glutamate (NMDA) receptors has a privileged access to peripheral mitochondria, and (iii) did not reduce the generation of ROS after buffer treatment. In conclusion, activation of NMDA receptors induces ROS, which is critical for neuronal death, due to secretory PLA2-IIA associated with peripheral mitochondria.

Preconditioning with estradiol abolishes its neuroprotection in cerebellar neurons

Certain steroids are neuroprotective because they are modulators of neuronal activity or ROS scavengers. We examined neuroprotection following glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in cerebellar granule neuron cultures. 17beta-Estradiol, 17alpha-estradiol (nonestrogenic), or vitamins C+E were equally neuroprotective when coadministered with glutamate, consistent with protection by ROS scavenging. Progesterone protected mainly by an action on GABA-A receptors. Since exogenous antioxidants may influence the level of glutathione, the main endogenous antioxidant in neurons, we investigated if a preconditioning period with the neuroprotectors changed their efficacy as protectors. The neuroprotection by 17beta-estradiol and 17alpha-estradiol, but not progesterone or vitamins C+E, was almost abolished following a preconditioning period of 24h. This reduction was accompanied by an inhibition of the gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase promoter, and a reduced level of glutathione when preconditioning was combined with the subsequent glutamate exposure. Thus, vitamins C+E and progesterone were more effective long-term neuroprotectors, since preconditioning did not reduce glutathione.

Chicken cerebellar granule neurons rapidly develop excitotoxicity in culture

Rat cerebellar granule cell culture is widely used as a model to study factors that control neuronal differentiation and death (e.g. excitotoxicity). However, a main drawback of this model is its dependence on depolarizing culture condition (25 mM potassium). In addition, it is quite expensive to maintain and requires animal facilities. Here we report that cerebellar granule neuron cultures from chicken may be used as an alternative model to study excitotoxicity. Surprisingly, fetal chicken cells may be grown in a physiological potassium concentration (5 mM potassium). They develop excitotoxicity rapidly in culture (fully developed at 3 days in vitro), and respond to glutamate excitotoxicity similar to rat cultures (ROS production and activation of caspase-3).