In Vitro Toxicity Testing Protocols

In vitro toxicology is one of the most rapidly expanding areas of biological research today. It is generally conceded that this is a result of pressure from the public for safer products and environmental conditions and, in these recessionary times, pressure from company accountants, who often perceive in vitro experimentation as a cheaper option than lawsuits, fines, and expensive remediation. Toxicologists themselves form one group whose vigor and influence on the evolution of in vitro toxicology is often underestimated. Many toxicologists have for some time been unhappy with the quantity (often a result of unnecessary duplication), the reliability, and the ethical circumstances of much animal experimentation. It is hoped that the present book, In Vitro Toxicity Testing Protocols, will play some part in enabling and encouraging the more widespread use of in vitro techniques. Since in vitro toxicity testing methodology is evolving at such a rapid rate, this book can of necessity provide only a "snapshot" of the major techniques in use at the present time. As with the other publications in Humana Press' Methods in Molecular Biology series, the aim has been to supply information on the fundamental requirements for the establishment of new techniques within working laboratories and to describe a variety of basic in vitro methodologies. Certain of the techniques detailed here could more accurately be described as ex vivo rather than truly in vitro. No apology is made for the inclusion of these techniques.

In Vitro Toxicity Testing Protocols is a collection of proven, state-of-the-art methods that toxicologists can use in carrying out laboratory studies. The book's expert contributors offer a variety of efficient in vitro toxicology techniques that can be applied regularly in your lab, or can serve as the fundamental basis for the establishment of novel techniques in working laboratories. All the procedures are highly reliable. Also included are ex vivo techniques, whose development embraces the twin aims of reduction and refinement of the use of laboratory animals; the editors believe this is an important step toward the ethical treatment of laboratory animals. In keeping with the successful format of preceding volumes of the Methods in Molecular Biology series, concise, easy-to-follow, step-by-step protocols are provided for each technique, together with extensive notes that cover troubleshooting and offer special tips to ensure the successful completion of your experiments.

This volume focuses on the potential application of in vitro procedures to identify and quantify the toxicological risk to target organs associated with the use of commerical products and therapeutic drugs.;Revealing how the results of in vitro toxicity testing can be used in safety assessment, In Vitro Toxicity Testing: explores whether existing test methods can accomplish the necessary goals and, if not, what research is needed to make these techniques a practical reality; presents the current status of toxicity testing in the areas of hepatotoxicity, renal toxicity, ocular irritation, and many others; outlines the role of validation in technology transfer from the research laboratory to safety evaluation; examines testing strategies and regulatory acceptance and addresses common concerns about the ultimate utilization of available methods in chemical safety/hazard considerations; and analyzes the perspective of industrial and regulatory agencies on the application of in vitro toxicity testing.;Generously referenced with over 1400 literature citations, In Vitro Toxicity Testing is for academic, industrial, and regulatory toxicologists; applied, molecular, and cell biologists; pharmacologists; animal welfare activists; and graduate students in pharmacology and toxicology courses.

Advances in molecular biology and toxicology are paving the way for major improvements in the evaluation of the hazards posed by the large number of chemicals found at low levels in the environment. The National Research Council was asked by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to review the state of the science and create a far-reaching vision for the future of toxicity testing. The book finds that developing, improving, and validating new laboratory tools based on recent scientific advances could significantly improve our ability to understand the hazards and risks posed by chemicals. This new knowledge would lead to much more informed environmental regulations and dramatically reduce the need for animal testing because the new tests would be based on human cells and cell components. Substantial scientific efforts and resources will be required to leverage these new technologies to realize the vision, but the result will be a more efficient, informative and less costly system for assessing the hazards posed by industrial chemicals and pesticides.

Cell Culture Methods for in vitro Toxicology introduces the reader to a range of techniques involved in the use of in vitro cell culture in toxicological studies. It deals with major cell types studied in the field of toxicology and will be useful for anyone wishing to start work with animal cell cultures or to refresh their knowledge relating to in vitro cell models. Fundamental chapters deal with the general biology of cytotoxicity and cell immortalisation these are key issues for in vitro systems addressing the `3Rs' principle. Up-to-date overviews deal with the use of cells from liver, brain and intestine. In addition, biochemical analysis of cell responses, biotransformation pathways in cells and recombinant approaches to the early detection of cell stress are also covered in detail. Prominent features of in vitro technologies also include regulation, biosafety and standardisation. Dedicated chapters deal with these issues in a practical way in order to lead the reader to the right source of information. This book provides an up-to-date, informative and practical review of cell culture methods for in vitro toxicology. It will be of equal benefit to students and experienced toxicologists with little experience of in vitro cell culture.

This book provides information on best practices and new thinking regarding the validation of alternative methods for toxicity testing. It covers the validation of experimental and computational methods and integrated approaches to testing and assessment. Validation strategies are discussed for methods employing the latest technologies such as tissue-on-a-chip systems, stem cells and transcriptomics, and for methods derived from pathway-based concepts in toxicology. Validation of Alternative Methods for Toxicity Testing is divided into two sections, in the first, practical insights are given on the state-of-the-art and on approaches that have resulted in successfully validated and accepted alternative methods. The second section focuses on the evolution of validation principles and practice that are necessary to ensure fit-for-purpose validation that has the greatest impact on international regulatory acceptance of alternative methods. In this context validation needs to keep pace with the considerable scientific advancements being made in toxicology, the availability of sophisticated tools and techniques that can be applied in a variety of ways, and the increasing societal and regulatory demands for better safety assessment. This book will be a useful resource for scientists in the field of toxicology, both from industry and academia, developing new test methods, strategies or techniques, as well as Governmental and regulatory authorities interested in understanding the principles and practicalities of validation of alternative methods for toxicity testing.