ToxSci Advance Access originally published online on June 30, 2008
Toxicological Sciences 2008 105(2):342-350; doi:10.1093/toxsci/kfn126
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Evaluation of the Embryotoxic Potency of Compounds in a Newly Revised High Throughput Embryonic Stem Cell Test
Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development (J&J-PRD), Department of Mechanistic Toxicology, Beerse, B-2340 Belgium
1 To whom correspondence should be addressed at Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development (J&J-PRD), Department of Mechanistic Toxicology, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse, B-2340 Belgium. Fax: +32-14605150. E-mail: APeters5{at}prdbe.jnj.com.
Received April 18, 2008; accepted June 19, 2008
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Abstract |
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The ability of murine-derived embryonic stem cells (D3) to differentiate into cardiomyocytes is the basis of the embryonic stem cell test (EST). With the EST, chemicals and pharmaceuticals can be assessed for their embryotoxic potency early on in the development process. In order to come to a higher throughput EST, a 96-well based method was developed based on low attachment well plates that allow for the formation of embryonic bodies from which the stem cells can differentiate. Twelve test compounds were selected based on their reported in vitro and in vivo embryotoxic potency. In the 96-well based EST, reportedly strong embryotoxic compounds 5-fluorouracil, 6-aminonicotinamide (6AN), methylmercury chloride, and hydroxyurea were correctly ranked with corresponding Relative Embryotoxic Potency values (REP, based on the EC50 (µM) value of 6AN) of 2.6 ± 2.9, 1, 2.0 ± 3.1, and 0.07 ± 0.05, respectively. Moderately embryotoxic compounds valproic acid, boric acid, methoxyacetic acid, and lithium chloride resulted in a correct ranking with REP values of 0.01 ± 0.003, 0.001 ± 0.001, 0.0007 ± 0.001, and 0.0006 ± 0.0004, respectively. The included nonembryotoxic compounds Penicillin G, acrylamide, and saccharin did not result in an inhibition of D3 cells to differentiate into cardiomyocytes, other than related to cytotoxicity (REP value of 0.00001). However, diphenhydramine resulted in an inhibitory effect similarly to the strong embryotoxic compound hydroxyurea, with a REP value of 0.40 ± 0.36. However, further evaluation suggested this was due to direct inhibition of the contractile capacity of the D3 cardiomyocytes, rather than an embryotoxic mechanism. The 96-well based EST is a promising addition to the screening process of newly developed chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Key Words: embryonic stem cells; D3; EST; Relative Embryotoxic Potency; REP.
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