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Stem Cells for Next Level Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century
Author(s) -
Fritsche Ellen,
HaarmannStemmann Thomas,
Kapr Julia,
Galanjuk Saskia,
Hartmann Julia,
Mertens Peter R.,
Kämpfer Angela A. M.,
Schins Roel P. F.,
Tigges Julia,
Koch Katharina
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.202006252
Subject(s) - induced pluripotent stem cell , multicellular organism , biology , embryonic stem cell , toxicity , computational biology , hazard , action (physics) , neuroscience , bioinformatics , medicine , cell , genetics , ecology , physics , quantum mechanics , gene
The call for a paradigm change in toxicology from the United States National Research Council in 2007 initiates awareness for the invention and use of human‐relevant alternative methods for toxicological hazard assessment. Simple 2D in vitro systems may serve as first screening tools, however, recent developments infer the need for more complex, multicellular organotypic models, which are superior in mimicking the complexity of human organs. In this review article most critical organs for toxicity assessment, i.e., skin, brain, thyroid system, lung, heart, liver, kidney, and intestine are discussed with regards to their functions in health and disease. Embracing the manifold modes‐of‐action how xenobiotic compounds can interfere with physiological organ functions and cause toxicity, the need for translation of such multifaceted organ features into the dish seems obvious. Currently used in vitro methods for toxicological applications and ongoing developments not yet arrived in toxicity testing are discussed, especially highlighting the potential of models based on embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells of human origin. Finally, the application of innovative technologies like organs‐on‐a‐chip and genome editing point toward a toxicological paradigm change moves into action.