Workshop summary: Top concentration for in vitro mammalian cell genotoxicity assays; and report from working group on toxicity measures and top concentration for in vitro cytogenetics assays (chromosome aberrations and micronucleus). 2011

Sheila Galloway, and Elisabeth Lorge, and Marilyn J Aardema, and David Eastmond, and Mick Fellows, and Robert Heflich, and David Kirkland, and Dan D Levy, and Anthony M Lynch, and Daniel Marzin, and Takeshi Morita, and Maik Schuler, and Günter Speit
Merck Research Laboratories, W 45-316, West Point, PA 19486, USA. sheila_galloway@merck.com

The selection of maximum concentrations for in vitro mammalian cell genotoxicity assays was reviewed at the 5th International Workshop on Genotoxicity Testing (IWGT), 2009. Currently, the top concentration recommended when toxicity is not limiting is 10mM or 5mg/ml, whichever is lower. The discussion was whether to reduce the limit, and if so whether the 1mM limit proposed for human pharmaceuticals was appropriate for testing other chemicals. The consensus was that there was reason to consider reducing the 10mM limit, and many, but not all, attendees favored a reduction to 1mM. Several proposals are described here for the concentration limit. The in vitro cytogenetics expert working group also discussed appropriate measures and level of cytotoxicity. Data were reviewed from a multi-laboratory trial of the in vitro micronucleus (MN) assay with multiple cell types and several types of toxicity measurements. The group agreed on a preference for toxicity measures that take cell proliferation after the beginning of treatment into account (relative increase in cell counts, relative population doubling, cytokinesis block proliferation index or replicative index), and that this applies both to in vitro MN assays and to in vitro chromosome aberration assays. Since relative cell counts (RCC) underestimate toxicity, many group members favored making a recommendation against the use of RCC as a toxicity measure for concentration selection. All 14 chemicals assayed for MN induction in the multi-laboratory trial were detected without exceeding 50% toxicity by any measure, but some were positive only at concentrations with toxicity quite close to 50%. The expert working group agreed to accept the cytotoxicity range recommended by OECD guideline 487 (55±5% toxicity at the top concentration scored). This also reinforces the original intent of the guidance for the in vitro chromosome aberration assay, where ">50%" was intended to target the range close to 50% toxicity.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008322 Mammals Warm-blooded vertebrate animals belonging to the class Mammalia, including all that possess hair and suckle their young. Mammalia,Mammal
D009152 Mutagenicity Tests Tests of chemical substances and physical agents for mutagenic potential. They include microbial, insect, mammalian cell, and whole animal tests. Genetic Toxicity Tests,Genotoxicity Tests,Mutagen Screening,Tests, Genetic Toxicity,Toxicity Tests, Genetic,Genetic Toxicity Test,Genotoxicity Test,Mutagen Screenings,Mutagenicity Test,Screening, Mutagen,Screenings, Mutagen,Test, Genotoxicity,Tests, Genotoxicity,Toxicity Test, Genetic
D009153 Mutagens Chemical agents that increase the rate of genetic mutation by interfering with the function of nucleic acids. A clastogen is a specific mutagen that causes breaks in chromosomes. Clastogen,Clastogens,Genotoxin,Genotoxins,Mutagen
D002869 Chromosome Aberrations Abnormal number or structure of chromosomes. Chromosome aberrations may result in CHROMOSOME DISORDERS. Autosome Abnormalities,Cytogenetic Aberrations,Abnormalities, Autosome,Abnormalities, Chromosomal,Abnormalities, Chromosome,Chromosomal Aberrations,Chromosome Abnormalities,Cytogenetic Abnormalities,Aberration, Chromosomal,Aberration, Chromosome,Aberration, Cytogenetic,Aberrations, Chromosomal,Aberrations, Chromosome,Aberrations, Cytogenetic,Abnormalities, Cytogenetic,Abnormality, Autosome,Abnormality, Chromosomal,Abnormality, Chromosome,Abnormality, Cytogenetic,Autosome Abnormality,Chromosomal Aberration,Chromosomal Abnormalities,Chromosomal Abnormality,Chromosome Aberration,Chromosome Abnormality,Cytogenetic Aberration,Cytogenetic Abnormality
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D015162 Micronucleus Tests Induction and quantitative measurement of chromosomal damage leading to the formation of micronuclei (MICRONUCLEI, CHROMOSOME-DEFECTIVE) in cells which have been exposed to genotoxic agents or IONIZING RADIATION. Micronucleus Assays,Assay, Micronucleus,Assays, Micronucleus,Micronucleus Assay,Micronucleus Test,Test, Micronucleus,Tests, Micronucleus
D017408 Guidelines as Topic Works about a systematic statement of policy rules or principles. Guidelines may be developed by government agencies at any level, institutions, professional societies, governing boards, or by convening expert panels. For guidelines in the field of health care and clinical medicine, PRACTICE GUIDELINES AS TOPIC is available. Guidelines as Topics

Related Publications

Sheila Galloway, and Elisabeth Lorge, and Marilyn J Aardema, and David Eastmond, and Mick Fellows, and Robert Heflich, and David Kirkland, and Dan D Levy, and Anthony M Lynch, and Daniel Marzin, and Takeshi Morita, and Maik Schuler, and Günter Speit
June 1994, Mutation research,
Sheila Galloway, and Elisabeth Lorge, and Marilyn J Aardema, and David Eastmond, and Mick Fellows, and Robert Heflich, and David Kirkland, and Dan D Levy, and Anthony M Lynch, and Daniel Marzin, and Takeshi Morita, and Maik Schuler, and Günter Speit
June 1994, Mutation research,
Sheila Galloway, and Elisabeth Lorge, and Marilyn J Aardema, and David Eastmond, and Mick Fellows, and Robert Heflich, and David Kirkland, and Dan D Levy, and Anthony M Lynch, and Daniel Marzin, and Takeshi Morita, and Maik Schuler, and Günter Speit
October 2003, Mutation research,
Sheila Galloway, and Elisabeth Lorge, and Marilyn J Aardema, and David Eastmond, and Mick Fellows, and Robert Heflich, and David Kirkland, and Dan D Levy, and Anthony M Lynch, and Daniel Marzin, and Takeshi Morita, and Maik Schuler, and Günter Speit
January 2000, Environmental and molecular mutagenesis,
Sheila Galloway, and Elisabeth Lorge, and Marilyn J Aardema, and David Eastmond, and Mick Fellows, and Robert Heflich, and David Kirkland, and Dan D Levy, and Anthony M Lynch, and Daniel Marzin, and Takeshi Morita, and Maik Schuler, and Günter Speit
January 2000, Environmental and molecular mutagenesis,
Sheila Galloway, and Elisabeth Lorge, and Marilyn J Aardema, and David Eastmond, and Mick Fellows, and Robert Heflich, and David Kirkland, and Dan D Levy, and Anthony M Lynch, and Daniel Marzin, and Takeshi Morita, and Maik Schuler, and Günter Speit
June 1994, Mutation research,
Sheila Galloway, and Elisabeth Lorge, and Marilyn J Aardema, and David Eastmond, and Mick Fellows, and Robert Heflich, and David Kirkland, and Dan D Levy, and Anthony M Lynch, and Daniel Marzin, and Takeshi Morita, and Maik Schuler, and Günter Speit
November 2019, Mutation research. Genetic toxicology and environmental mutagenesis,
Sheila Galloway, and Elisabeth Lorge, and Marilyn J Aardema, and David Eastmond, and Mick Fellows, and Robert Heflich, and David Kirkland, and Dan D Levy, and Anthony M Lynch, and Daniel Marzin, and Takeshi Morita, and Maik Schuler, and Günter Speit
January 2000, Environmental and molecular mutagenesis,
Sheila Galloway, and Elisabeth Lorge, and Marilyn J Aardema, and David Eastmond, and Mick Fellows, and Robert Heflich, and David Kirkland, and Dan D Levy, and Anthony M Lynch, and Daniel Marzin, and Takeshi Morita, and Maik Schuler, and Günter Speit
January 2013, Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.),
Sheila Galloway, and Elisabeth Lorge, and Marilyn J Aardema, and David Eastmond, and Mick Fellows, and Robert Heflich, and David Kirkland, and Dan D Levy, and Anthony M Lynch, and Daniel Marzin, and Takeshi Morita, and Maik Schuler, and Günter Speit
January 2019, Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.),
Copied contents to your clipboard!