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Grantee Research Project Results

Instrumenting phenotypic immunological responses to toxicants that threaten human reproduction

EPA Grant Number: R839501
Title: Instrumenting phenotypic immunological responses to toxicants that threaten human reproduction
Investigators: Osteen, Kevin G , Cliffel, David , McLean, John , Bruner-Tran, Kaylon L.
Institution: Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Vanderbilt University
EPA Project Officer: Callan, Richard
Project Period: August 1, 2019 through July 31, 2022 (Extended to July 31, 2024)
Project Amount: $848,923
RFA: Advancing Actionable Alternatives to Vertebrate Animal Testing for Chemical Safety Assessment (2018) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Chemical Safety for Sustainability

Description:

Traditional human reproductive health risk assessments associated with chemical exposures do not consider the potential contribution of a preexisting disease. Furthermore, the dual goals of advancing chemical safety and reducing the use of vertebrate animals require a robust, human-cell based test system. We propose to refine our microfluidic model of the human menstrual cycle, the EndoChip, to both replace the need for vertebrate animal models and to better consider the role of preexisting disease in risk assessment.

Objective:

We will test the hypothesis that a preexsisting inflammatory disease will alter sensitivity to an environmental toxicant exposure.

Approach:

We have extensive experimental evidence, obtained using a vertebrate animal model, that developmental toxicant exposure can alter adult reproductive capacity. Based on knowledge from these studies, we will utilize the EndoChip model to examine how a preexisting inflammatory disease affects cellular response(s) to an environmental toxicant. Similarly, we will examine the impact of toxicant exposure on the subsequent endometrial response to an inflammatory challenge. Importantly, the disease-toxicant interactions in EndoChips will utilize cell-type specific biosensors combined with advanced metablomic analysis via IM-MS. Finally, we will perform Case Studies to assess the EndoChip as an alternative to vertebrate animal testing to identify reproductive toxicants.

Expected Results:

It is significant that the human endometrium is the only adult tissue that routinely undergoes a development-like process. Thus, our proposed EndoChip is expected to provide a robust and reproducible human cell-based model that mirrors the functional physiology of the reproductive tract. Use of the EndoChip will enable accurate identification of environmental chemical-disease interactions that represent a threat to human reproduction. Furthermore, the EndoChip is expected to dramatically reduce the reliance on vertebrate animal modeling for similar endpoints.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 23 publications for this project

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 5 journal articles for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

Dioxin, Reproductive Toxicology, Susceptibility, Bioengeneering

Progress and Final Reports:

  • 2020 Progress Report
  • 2021 Progress Report
  • 2022 Progress Report
  • 2023 Progress Report
  • Final Report
  • Top of Page

    The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

    Project Research Results

    • Final Report
    • 2023 Progress Report
    • 2022 Progress Report
    • 2021 Progress Report
    • 2020 Progress Report
    23 publications for this project
    5 journal articles for this project

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    Last updated April 28, 2023
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