In Vitro and Alternative Toxicology Testing Services
MB Research Laboratories prides itself on being a leader in the development and use of in vitro and alternative toxicology methods. MB conducts Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) compliant toxicology assays as well as low-cost screening studies for clients in the cosmetic, consumer product, chemical, biotech and pharmaceutical industries. |
OCULAR IRRITATION ASSAYS
1) Three dimensional Human Ocular Tissue Equivalent Systems
| - MatTek EpiOcular, SkinEthics corneocyte models |
| - These models mimic characteristics of the epithelium of the eye |
- Unique properties of 3D models allow test articles to be applied
topically, allowing testing of solids, organics, and insoluble
materials |
2) Chorioallantoic Membrane Vascular Assay (CAMVA)
| - Uses fertilized chicken eggs on embryonic day 10 or 14 of development |
- Measures hemodynamic effects, injury, and anti-angiogenic effects
to the membrane microvasculature |
| - Especially useful for alcohol-containing formulations |
3) Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability Assay (BCOP)
| - Uses excised bovine corneas normally discarded by slaughterhouses |
- Measures two endpoints; 1) changes in opacity, reflecting protein
denaturation and corneal injury, and 2) fluorescein permeability
reflecting damage to corneal epithelium |
| - Optional histological endpoint is available (H & E staining) |
- Measurement of pro-inflammatory mediators in liberated corneal
cells (by flow cytometry or ELISA) |
4) Keratinocyte/Fibroblast Viability Assay (Neutral Red or MTT)
MB Research uses normal human primary epidermal keratinocytes or fibroblasts (or mouse keratinocytes and fibroblasts)
| - Cells are representative of the eye and skin epithelium |
| - Human cells are derived from neonatal, adolescent, or aged donors |
- Cytokine expression or release (LDH, PGE-2, interleukins) can be
measured |
| - Low serum or serum free protocol options are available |
5) Keratinocyte Proliferation (turnover) Assay
- Using primary human cell or mouse cell lines in serum-free or low
serum media |
- Rate of proliferation or apoptosis is measured by vital dye uptake
(MTT or neutral red) or by BrdU incorporation and flow cytometry |
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DERMAL IRRITATION ASSAYS
1) Three Dimensional Human Skin Equivalent Systems
The 3D models available at MB Research (MatTek EpiDerm and SkinEthics systems) allow the application of the test material directly to the "skin" surface and permit the assessment of dermal toxicity via a wide variety of parameters.
| - Cytotoxicity via MTT, neutral red viability assay, or flow cytometry |
- Histological examination (H & E) of the epidermal layers, including
the stratum corneum |
- Measurement of inflammatory mediator and lytokine release
(PGE-2, nitric oxide, TNFa, IL1b, and other interleukins) |
- Dissolution of the tissue equivalent into a single cell suspension,
with subsequent flow cytometric analysis allows evaluation of gene
expression and peroxide production (antioxidant status of cells) |
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DERMAL CORROSION ASSAYS
1) CorrositexTM
- An accepted alternative to the Draize rabbit corrosivity test that
recently has been validated by ICCVAM for use for DOT, FHSA,
CPSC, EPA and FDA testing |
| - Allows Packing Group assignment of test materials |
- Can be used to compare the relative corrosivity of materials within
Packing Groups for product development purposes |
| See www.corrositex.com for more information. |
2) MatTek EpiDerm Corrosivity Test
- Validated by ECVAM and ICCVAM as an in vitro alternative
corrosivity test based on human skin cells |
| - Allows testing of material not compatible with CorrositexTM |
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PHOTOTOXICITY ASSAYS
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