Author: Mitchell Gaydash
20 Oct Cryopreserved human precision-cut lung slices provide an immune competent pulmonary test system for “on-demand” use and long-term cultures
Human precision-cut lung slices (hPCLS), considered a highly relevant ex vivo model of the lung, offer native architecture and cells of the lung tissue including respiratory parenchyma, small airways, and immune competent cells. However, the irregular availability of donor lungs has limited the accessibility of this system. As described here, thousands of hPCLS can be created from 1 lung, cryopreserved, and used “on demand” by applying slicing and cryopreservation methodology improvements.20 Oct A Laboratory Method to Measure Skin Surface Staining by Cigarette Smoke
Exhaled or side-stream cigarette smoke (CS) may visually stain a consumer’s skin over time. Tobacco heating prod- ucts (THPs) and e-cigarettes (ECs) have reduced staining potential because they do not produce side-stream aerosols and their exhaled aerosols have significantly reduced levels of toxicants, particles and odour. Here we assess discolour- ation of porcine skin in vitro after exposure to particulate matter (PM) or aerosols from CS (3R4F), two THPs (glo and glo sens) and an EC (iSwitch Maxx).10 Oct Ensuring the quality of a test system using the principles of Good In Vitro Method Practices (GIVIMP): A case study of cryopreserved human precision-cut lung slices
Human precision-cut lung slices (hPCLS) are a highly relevant 3-dimensional model of the lung. They offer native architecture and cells of the lung tissue including respiratory parenchyma, small airways, and immune competent cells involved in inflammatory and sensitization processes. The scarcity of human lung tissue available for research and the inability to conduct larger scale testing has limited the use of hPCLS as a test system for routine, high-throughput testing. To overcome this barrier, IIVS has refined the methodology behind the cryopreservation, storage, thaw and post-thaw maintenance of human lung slices. As primary tissues have varied quality and responsiveness, a standardized performance characterization (PC) is conducted on all donor batches.10 Oct Key Recommendations from GIVIMP for Test System Suppliers
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidance document on Good In Vitro Method Practices (GIVIMP) details a set of quality standards to improve both the quality of and confidence in newly developed, and routinely executed in vitro methods. An important part of (and a source of potential high variability in) any method is the test system. Microphysiological Systems (MPS), including organ-on-a-chip platforms have been used in novel methods for many years. Despite their potential benefits, there are several quality concerns associated with MPS. Two of these concerns are reproducibility and well defined and understood biological relevance, both of which are covered in the GIVIMP guidance.20 Sep Webinar Series on In Vitro Phototoxicity Testing
Thank you for joining us for a two-part webinar series on in vitro phototoxicity testing co-organized by the Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS) and PETA Science Consortium International. Part 1 included a methodological overview on phototoxicity assays, and Part 2 covered case studies from industry applying the methods.18 Sep IIVS Partners with SkynFuture to Further In Vitro Research Techniques
[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]IIVS is pleased to announce a partnership with SkynFuture, a cosmetics and skincare brand within the UniAsia cosmetics company. IIVS and SkynFuture will collaborate to develop and optimize human-relevant research and testing methods to assess the safety and efficacy of skincare products, and conduct training and other activities to advance non-animal test methods in China.30 Aug Incorporating GIVIMP Recommendations into Method Development, Use, and Transfer
The demand for toxicology data from human-relevant, New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) continues to increase. Fortunately, the scientific community has responded with new tools based on human tissues and cells. The creators of these systems and test methods utilizing them have invested in their development and also in studies designed to demonstrate their relevance, reproducibility, and transferability. Despite these efforts, scientific confidence in these methods at the regulatory level remains comparatively low.24 Aug August 2023 Newsletter
ToxTracker is a unique, stem-cell based assay which takes advantage of a Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) reporter system to identify hazard and mode-of-action (MOA) of potentially genotoxic materials. On July 20th, IIVS was formally awarded ToxTracker Certification by Toxys, a Dutch Biotechnology company and the...
29 Jul IIVS Acquires Licenses to Work with DEA Schedule I Materials
IIVS is pleased to announce that our lab has acquired the necessary State and Federal licenses required to work with several materials and compounds listed on DEA Schedule 1. These include cannabis and Δ9-THC and related cannabinoids (DEA Drug Codes 7360 & 7370). Our state-of-the...