Grantee Research Project Results
2016 Progress Report: Organotypic Model of Testis as a Platform for Adverse Outcomes Pathway Assessment of Engineered Nanomaterials
EPA Grant Number: R835738C004Subproject: this is subproject number 004 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R835738
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Center for Air, Climate, and Energy Solutions
Center Director: Robinson, Allen
Title: Organotypic Model of Testis as a Platform for Adverse Outcomes Pathway Assessment of Engineered Nanomaterials
Investigators: Faustman, Elaine
Institution: University of Washington
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: December 1, 2014 through November 30, 2018 (Extended to November 30, 2019)
Project Period Covered by this Report: December 1, 2015 through November 30,2016
RFA: Organotypic Culture Models for Predictive Toxicology Center (2013) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
Objective:
The overall goal of this project is to utilize an organotypic in vitro model of testicular development to evaluate the male reproductive toxicity of engineered nanomaterials (ENM) using an adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework. We will use 3-dimensional in vitro testicular co-cultures that have been shown to capture key processes of male reproductive development in order to evaluate the potential for ENMs to alter these processes. We will measure the ability of ENMs to alter cellular differentiation and tissue maturation with a focus on the roles of developmental timing and genetics in influencing susceptibility. We also will explore the role of oxidative stress and inflammation pathways in mediating ENM induced perturbation of development. Finally, we will use toxicokinetic and dynamic models to integrate in vitro our findings into an AOP framework.
Progress Summary:
Establishing a life stage context for our testis organotypic cultires:
We have measured testosterone production and protein expression in our co-culture system at days in vitro (DIV) 2, 3, 6, 7, 15, and 16 for baseline characterization. We then compared our results to transcriptomes from publicly available in vivo mouse and rat testes and our in vitro rat testes data.
Cadmium:
For evaluation of cadmium’s developmental toxicity, we have measured cytotoxicity, cell viability, and morphology at 24 hours after treatment at different developmental stages (DIV 2, 6, and 15). We have observed a dose and life stage-dependent disruption in these measures. Significant dose-related decline in testosterone production was observed for DIV 3, while little change was observed for DIV 7 and DIV 16. Significant dose response was observed for LDH for all three time points, while DIV 16 has the most dramatic effects. Our results demonstrate the potential of our co-culture systems and system biology model to capture adverse outcomes of male reproductive development.
Future Activities:
Our progress to date has focused on: (1) expanding the applications of our testis co-culture system to answer this project’s research questions through development of organotypic cultures to evaluate reproductive and developmental toxicity, (2) modification of our previous co-culture system for immature mouse testes, (3) characterization of normal testes development, and (4) evaluation of perturbed conditions using various chemicals including cadmium. We plan to finalize our characterization of life-stage specific AOPs for reproductive and developmental toxicity (papers in progress). We also plan to evaluate the role of genes in response to AgNP by utilizing our co-culture systems from two strains of mice (AJ and C57BL/6). We will finalize our assessment of the toxicological effects and benchmark dose of various silver nanoparticles on A/J mouse midbrain micromass, building upon our findings for the C57BL/6 mouse midbrain micromass experiment.
Journal Articles on this Report : 2 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other subproject views: | All 43 publications | 13 publications in selected types | All 13 journal articles |
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Other center views: | All 150 publications | 50 publications in selected types | All 49 journal articles |
Type | Citation | ||
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Harris S, Wegner S, Hong SW, Faustman EM. Phthalate metabolism and kinetics in an in vitro model of testis development. Toxicology in Vitro 2016;32:123-131. |
R835738 (2016) R835738 (2017) R835738C004 (2015) R835738C004 (2016) R835738C004 (2017) R833772 (2009) R834514 (Final) R834514C003 (Final) |
Exit Exit Exit |
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Harris S, Shubin SP, Wegner S, Van Ness K, Green F, Hong SW, Faustman EM. The presence of macrophages and inflammatory responses in an in vitro testicular co-culture model of male reproductive development enhance relevance to in vivo conditions. Toxicology In Vitro 2016;36:210-215. |
R835738 (2016) R835738 (2017) R835738C004 (2016) R835738C004 (2017) R834514 (Final) R834514C003 (Final) |
Exit Exit |
Supplemental Keywords:
reproductive and developmental toxicity, chemical screening, testicular development, in vitro modelRelevant Websites:
The Predictive Toxicology Center (PTC) for Organotypic Cultures ExitProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractMain Center Abstract and Reports:
R835738 Center for Air, Climate, and Energy Solutions Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R835738C001 Airway Epithelium Organotypic Culture as a Platform forAdverseOutcomesPathway Assessment of Engineered Nanomaterials
R835738C002 Organotypic Model of Human Kidney as a Platform for Adverse Outcomes
Pathway Assessment of Engineered Nanomaterials
R835738C003 Organotypic Models of Mammalian Liver as a Platform for Adverse Outcomes
Pathway Assessment of Engineered Nanomaterials
R835738C004 Organotypic Model of Testis as a Platform for Adverse Outcomes Pathway
Assessment of Engineered Nanomaterials
R835738C005 Integrating Liver, Kidney and Testis Nanomaterial Toxicity using the
Adverse Outcome Pathway Approach
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.
Project Research Results
13 journal articles for this subproject
Main Center: R835738
150 publications for this center
49 journal articles for this center