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Content archived on 2024-05-07

Standardization and validation of the vitro use of respiratory epithelial cells for toxicity assessment of inhaled occupational and environmental

Objective

The project aims to contribute to the respiratory health protection of workers and citizens, exposed to agents that may be inhaled from the occupational or general environment. The approach to achieve this aim consists in attempting to coordinate and harmonize and validate in vitro pneumotoxicological research in Europe. The rationale for this approach is
- that research is needed to define occupational and environmental exposure standards on the basis of adequate scientific evidence and understanding of mechanisms, so as to protect the entire population, including its more sensitive individuals, against common and novel risks;
- that neither conventional in vivo toxicity testing in laboratory animals, nor epidemiology and clinical or occupational surveillance are sufficient to obtain rapid, adequate and relatively inexpensive information about mechanisms of toxicity, interactions of different agents or newly introduced substances;
- that in vitro respiratory toxicology is a promising and scientifically valid alternative, which is, however, still in a relatively early stage of development and application
- that, consequently, efforts are required, at international level, towards standardization and
validation of the techniques used, both to obtain suitable cells (preferably of human origin) and to achieve adequate exposure systems.

Target 1: Development of standard methods for the preparation and culture of alveolar type II pneumocytes, nonciliated bronchiolar (Clara) cells and airway (bronchial, tracheal or nasal)
epithelial cells from animals and humans.
Target 2: Development of standard methods to expose respiratory cells in culture to gaseous
agents.
Target 3: Validation of the use of respiratory epithelial cells in toxicology by assessing, in different laboratories, the effects of selected model compounds using sensitive tests of cell injury and dysfunction. A specific aspect is to assess irritant potential.
Target 4: Formulation of sound recommendations on the use of respiratory lung cells in culture for testing inhalable agents.

The project consists in a European research network of 13 laboratories from academic and public research institutes. The practical methodology will mainly consist in:
- bringing together scientists from different laboratories for a one-week training course and three shorter workshops;
- carrying out similar experiments in all laboratories using similar reference materials, working according to commonly agreed protocols and then comparing the results obtained in different laboratories;
- exchanging samples of cellular material to carry out quality control of cellular purities and
characteristics by electron microscopy and carrying out specialized analyses in single locations for one another.

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Funding Scheme

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CON - Coordination of research actions

Coordinator

KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN
EU contribution
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Address
49,Herestraat 49
3000 LOUVAIN / LEUVEN
Belgium

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Total cost

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