Prolonged exposure of lung tissue to materials, inhaled or otherwise, may challenge the tissue leading to cell death or loss of viability over time. Other changes due to long term exposure or prolonged tissue challenge can manifest in a variety of key events and markers of disease. IIVS’s Respiratory Toxicology Program offers several pulmonary models that will allow the assessment of long term exposure and effects, with cultures that can be maintained for weeks or months.
While assays used for acute toxicity (cytotoxicity and viability) apply for prolonged exposure/culture assessment, additional assays that highlight markers of chronic toxicity may be chosen.