Inflammation

Exploring the potency of polyphenol-rich blend from Lonicera caerulea var. Kamtschatica sevast., Aronia melanocarpa, and Echinacea purpurea: Promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral properties

Previous studies have highlighted the beneficial properties of plants rich in polyphenols, such as Lonicera caerulea var. Kamtschatica Sevast. (LCK), Aronia melanocarpa (AM), and Echinacea purpurea (EP). These plants have demonstrated antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and potential antiviral effects. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the ELA blend, a polyphenol-rich blend containing EP, LCK, and AM, on the cellular […]

Hyaluronan-Cholesterol nanogels embedding betamethasone for the treatment of skin inflammatory conditions

Topical application of the glucocorticoid betamethasone (BM) is a common treatment for inflammatory-related skin diseases, such as psoriasis. However, enhancing its bioavailability remains challenging due to poor skin permeability. Herein, we developed and evaluated hyaluronan-cholesterol (HACH) based nanohydrogel systems (NHs) and NHs-Carbopol formulation for dermal delivery of BM. Various parameters were investigated including particle size, […]

Matrix hyaluronic acid and bilayer poly-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-hyaluronic acid films as potential ocular drug delivery platforms

This study aimed to design hydrogel based films comprising hyaluronic acid (HA) to overcome limitations of currently used eye drops. Timolol-loaded crosslinked (X2) HA-based and bilayer (B2) (pHEMA/PVP-HA-based layers) films were designed and characterized. The films were transparent (UV, visual observation) with crosslinked (<80 %) films showing lower light transmittance than bilayer (>80 %) films. […]

Compound K suppresses epidermal aging induced by IL-17A treatment and UVB irradiation

We evaluated the anti-accelerated epidermal skin aging effects of compound K (CK) on keratinocytes using IL-17A and ultraviolet B. CK restored epidermal functions and reduced the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting NF-κB and p38 MAPK activation. CK plays a significant role in controlling accelerated epidermal skin aging.

Psilocybin and Eugenol Reduce Inflammation in Human 3D EpiIntestinal Tissue

Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), by contributing to tissue damage and exacerbating the immune response. The investigation of serotonin receptor 2A (5-HT2A) ligands and transient receptor potential (TRP) channel ligands is of significant interest due to their potential to modulate key inflammatory pathways, mitigate the […]

Toxicity and Inflammatory Response to Common Magic Mouthwashes in a 3D Oral Reconstructed Tissue Model

Magic Mouthwash is a general term describing oral rinses prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of pain, inflammation, or infection, commonly as a result of chemotherapy and radiation induced oral sores (oral mucositis). There is no set combination of ingredients for the preparation of a magic mouthwash, rather they are formulated for the individual […]

Assessment of Carbon Nanotubes on Barrier Function, Ciliary Beating Frequency and Cytokine Release in In Vitro Models of the Respiratory Tract

The exposure to inhaled carbon nanotubes (CNT) may have adverse effects on workers upon chronic exposure. In order to assess the toxicity of inhaled nanoparticles in a physiologically relevant manner, an air–liquid interface culture of mono and cocultures of respiratory cells and assessment in reconstructed bronchial and alveolar tissues was used. The effect of CNT4003 […]

Modeling of Ligand-Induced Acute and Chronic Inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract using In vitro 3D-human small intestinal microtissues

Intestinal epithelium is known to be involved in innate immune responses by recognizing potential pathogens through cellular pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). The purpose of this study is to investigate PRR responses following exposure of an in vitro 3D human small intestinal (SMI) microtissue to various Toll-like receptor (TLRs) and Node-like receptor (NOD) ligands. The SMI […]

The Impact of Over-The-Counter Lactic Acid Containing Vaginal Gels on the Integrity and Inflammatory State of the Vaginal Epithelium in vitro

The vaginal microbiome influences a wide range of health outcomes in women, where a microbiome dominated by Lactobacillus spp. is considered optimal and associated with reduced risk of pre-term birth and acquisition of sexually transmitted infections including HIV. Conversely, replacement of lactobacilli by non-optimal bacteria leads to the development of bacterial vaginosis, which is associated […]

Proteomic, Metabolomic, and Lipidomic Analyses of Lung Tissue Exposed to Mustard Gas

Sulfur mustard (HD) poses a serious threat due to its relatively simple production process. Exposure to HD in the short-term causes an inflammatory response, while long-term exposure results in DNA and RNA damage. Respiratory tract tissue models were exposed to relatively low concentrations of HD and collected at 3 and 24 h post exposure. Histology, […]

Cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response of smokeless tobacco extracts and cytotoxicity of combustible cigarette whole smoke in a 3D oral organotypic buccal cell model

Oral disease is frequently associated with viral and environmental exposures and oral hygiene. The use of tobacco is a risk factor in the development of oral disease. Cytotoxicity, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress have been reported to have a role in the development of oral disease. These three endpoints were evaluated in a 3D human […]

A Novel Macrophage Containing Organotypic Small Intestinal Tissue for Modeling Gut Inflammation

As gatekeepers of intestinal immunehomeostasis, macrophages play a critical role in inflammation in the gut. In this study, were constructed a new macrophage-containing primary cell-based full-thickness small intestinal(SMI+M) tissue model and characterized it for:1) macrophage incorporation (immunohistochemistry, IHC), 2) barrier properties(TEER), and 3)functionality by measuring inflammatory responses following exposure to ligands for TLR4 (lipopolysaccharide;LPS),NOD1(C12-iE-DAP)andNOD2(L18-MDP) either […]

Cytokine induction in the 3D EpiDerm™ skin model used as an in vitro preclinical screening tool for formulations with anti-inflammatory action

Abnormal cytokine profiles represent the hallmark of inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis, acne, atopic dermatitis, irritant and allergic contact dermatitis. Damage to skin keratinocytes induces the release of primary cytokine interleukin (IL)-1α which further stimulates the release of secondary cytokines (e.g., IL-8) involved in the mediation of inflammatory reactions. Animal models have been historically […]

Immunomodulation of Skin Cytokine Secretion by House Dust Mite Extracts

Background: Skin contact with house dust mites may contribute to atopic dermatitis and other skin diseases. We sought to determine if molecules from house dust mites could influence the release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines from epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts grown in a human skin equivalent (HSE) model. Methods: HSEs consisting of an epidermis […]

In Vitro and Clinical Safety Assessment of the Multiple W/O/W Emulsion Based on the Active Ingredients from Rosmarinus officinalis L., Avena sativa L. and Linum usitatissimum L.

The multiple W/O/W emulsion supplemented with the extracts of Rosmarinus officinalis L., Avena sativa L. and Linum usitatissimum L. was prepared in the study, its active compounds were determined by HPLC and its safety was evaluated in vitro by the means of reconstituted human skin model EpiDerm™ for the assessment of its irritation, phototoxicity and […]

Flagellin From Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Stimulates ATBº,+ Transporter for Arginine and Neutral Amino Acids in Human Airway Epithelial Cells

At present, the central role played by arginine in the modulation of the inflammatory cellular responses is well-recognized, and many pro-inflammatory stimuli are known to modulate the expression and activity of its transmembrane transporters. In this regard, we have addressed the effects of bacterial flagellin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (FLA-PA) on the uptake of the amino […]

Particulate Matter Decreases Intestinal Barrier-Associated Proteins Levels in 3D Human Intestinal Model

Background: The gastrointestinal tract (GI) tract is one of the main organs exposed to particulate matter (PM) directly through ingestion of contaminated food or indirectly through inhalation. Previous studies have investigated the effects of chronic PM exposure on intestinal epithelia in vitro using Caco−2 cells and in vivo using mice. In this study, we hypothesized […]

Oral Hsp90 inhibitor, SNX-5422, attenuates SARS-CoV-2 replication and dampens 2 inflammation in airway cells.

Currently available SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics are targeted towards moderately to severely ill patients and require intravenous infusions, with limited options for exposed or infected patients with no or mild symptoms. While vaccines have demonstrated protective efficacy, vaccine hesitancy and logistical distribution challenges will delay their ability to end the pandemic. Hence, there is a need for […]

Evaluation of Inflammation by Cytokine Production Following Combined Exposure to Ultraviolet and Radiofrequency Radiation of Mobile Phones on 3D Reconstructed Human Skin In Vitro

The absorption of exposure to radiofrequency (RF) emitted by wireless devices leads to a high specific absorption rate in the skin. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can induce several damages to the skin. The aim of this study was to examine whether combined, consecutive exposure to solar UV radiation and 1950 MHz RF exposure of third generation […]

Human small intestinal organotypic culture model for drug permeation, inflammation, and toxicity assays

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT), in particular, the small intestine, plays a significant role in food digestion, fluid and electrolyte transport, drug absorption and metabolism, and nutrient uptake. As the longest portion of the GIT, the small intestine also plays a vital role in protecting the host against pathogenic or opportunistic microbial invasion. However, establishing polarized […]

A Systems Biology Approach Reveals the Dose- and Time-Dependent Effect of Primary Human Airway Epithelium Tissue Culture After Exposure to Cigarette Smoke In Vitro

To establish a relevant in vitro model for systems toxicology-based mechanistic assessment of environmental stressors such as cigarette smoke (CS), we exposed human organotypic bronchial epithelial tissue cultures at the air liquid interface (ALI) to various CS doses. Previously, we compared in vitro gene expression changes with published human airway epithelia in vivo data to […]

Potassium is a key signal in host-microbiome dysbiosis in periodontitis

Dysbiosis, or the imbalance in the structural and/or functional properties of the microbiome, is at the origin of important infectious inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and periodontal disease. Periodontitis is a polymicrobial inflammatory disease that affects a large proportion of the world’s population and has been associated with a wide variety of […]

Evaluation of phototoxicity of tattoo pigments using the 3 T3 neutral red uptake phototoxicity test and a 3D human reconstructed skin model

Phototoxicity due to dermally impregnated compounds exposed to ultraviolet radiation is associated with skin inflammation. The phototoxicity potential of active substances applied to the skin should be evaluated. Pigments are widely used for tattoos, and hypersensitivity reactions, such as photoallergic dermatitis, are possible tattoo related complications. However, the phototoxicity of these chemicals is not well […]

Endogenous acid ceramidase protects epithelial cells from Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced inflammation in vitro

Ceramidases are a group of enzymes that degrade pro-inflammatory ceramide by cleaving a fatty acid to form anti-inflammatory sphingosine lipid. Thus far, acid, neutral and alkaline ceramidase isozymes have been described. However, the expression patterns of ceramidase isoforms as well as their role in periodontal disease pathogenesis remain unknown. In this study, expression patterns of […]

Nell1 Protein Reduces the Number of Sunburned Cells and Modulates the Inflammatory Response after UV-induced Damage in a 3D Human Skin Model

NELL1 is a novel signaling protein that mediates tissue growth and maturation during fetal development and stimulates tissue healing post-injury in adult tissues. NELL1 promotes the production of a regenerative (fetal type) extracellular matrix (ECM) that provides the structural and communication framework for several processes essential to tissue repair and regeneration such as cell proliferation, […]

In-Depth Characterization of EpiIntestinal Microtissue as a Model for Intestinal Drug Absorption and Metabolism in Human

The Caco-2 model is a well-accepted in vitro model for the estimation of fraction absorbed in human intestine. Due to the lack of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) activities, Caco-2 model is not suitable for the investigation of intestinal first-pass metabolism. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a new human intestine model, EpiIntestinal microtissues, […]

In Search of Preventative Strategies: Novel Anti Inflammatory High-CBD Cannabis Sativa Extracts Modulate ACE2 Expression in COVID-19 Gateway Tissues

With the rapidly growing pandemic of COVID-19 caused by the new and challenging to treat zoonotic SARS-CoV2 coronavirus, there is an urgent need for new therapies and prevention strategies that can help curtail disease spread and reduce mortality. Inhibition of viral entry and thereby spread constitute plausible therapeutic avenues. Similar to other respiratory pathogens, SARS-CoV2 […]

Propionibacterium acnes-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Promote Acne-Like Phenotypes in Human Epidermis

Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory disease occurring in the pilosebaceous unit and is the most common skin condition in young people. A gram-positive bacterium, Propionibacterium acnes, has been suspected to contribute to the development of acne. Here, we report that P. acnes, constitutively releases extracellular vesicles (EVs) exhibiting typical EV morphology and size. Moreover, the […]

Impact of Interleukin-6 on Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes and Transporters in Intestinal Cells

Inflammatory response is characterized by an increase of several cytokines. Some are known to modify drugs pharmacokinetic by reducing the expression levels of drug metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) and transporters. This impact of inflammatory signaling is well established in hepatic cells, but not in intestinal cells. EpiIntestinal is a 3D human small intestinal tissue model with […]

Assessment of Biological Responses of EpiAirway™ 3-D Cell Constructs vs. A549 Cells for Determining Toxicity of Ambient Air Pollution

Context — EpiAirway™ 3-D constructs are human-derived cell cultures of differentiated airway epithelial cells that may represent a more biologically relevant model of the human lung. However, limited information is available of its utility for exposures to air pollutants at the air-liquid interface (ALI). Objective — To assess the biological responses of EpiAirway™ cells in […]

Dysregulated repair and inflammatory responses by e‐cigarette derived inhaled nicotine and humectant propylene glycol in a sex dependent manner in mouse lung

Nicotine inhalation via electronic cigarettes (e‐cigs) is an emerging concern. However, little is known about the acute toxicity in the lungs following inhalation of nicotine containing e‐cig aerosols. We hypothesized that acute exposure to aerosolized nicotine causes lung toxicity by eliciting inflammatory and dysregulated repair responses. Adult C57BL/6J mice were exposed 2 hours daily for […]

E-cigarettes and flavorings induce inflammatory and prosenescence responses in oral epithelial cells and periodontal fibroblasts

Electronic-cigarettes (e-cigs) represent a significant and increasing proportion of tobacco product consumption, which may pose an oral health concern. Oxidative/carbonyl stress via protein carbonylation is an important factor in causing inflammation and DNA damage. This results in stress-induced premature senescence (a state of irreversible growth arrest which re-enforces chronic inflammation) in gingival epithelium, which may […]

Denture-associated biofilm infection in three-dimensional oral mucosal tissue models

Purpose. In vitro analyses of virulence, pathogenicity and associated host cell responses are important components in the study of biofilm infections. The Candida-related infection, denture-associated oral candidosis, affects up to 60% of denture wearers and manifests as inflammation of palatal tissues contacting the denture-fitting surface. Commercially available three-dimensional tissue models can be used to study […]

Evaluating the Inflammatory and Genotoxic Effects of Smokeless Tobacco Using a Human Organotypic Model of Oral Epithelium

In addition to the well-known effects of tobacco use on the causation of lung and cardiovascular disease, tobacco use is also implicated as a major cause of oral cavity disease that leads to thousands of deaths per year. Snus, a smokeless tobacco applied to the oral cavity, has been proposed as a less harmful alternative […]

Assessment of Alveolar Toxicity and Fibrotic Potential In Vitro using the Mattek EpiAlveolar™ Model

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a debilitating, typically fatal, condition caused by a variety of factors including environmental or occupational exposures, drugs, radiation, and genetic predisposition. No current in vitro (immortalized cell lines), ex vivo, in silico or in vivo models of PF fully recapitulate all salient features of the human disease. In this study, a […]

In Vitro Human Airway Models for Study of Goblet Cell Hyperplasia and Mucus Production: Effects of Th2 Cytokines, Double-Stranded RNA, and Tobacco Smoke

Goblet cell hyperplasia (GCH) within the epithelium of the conducting airways is a common feature of human respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. GCH can be initiated or exacerbated by environmental agents, including air pollution, viral infection, and tobacco smoke. Experimental model systems for investigating causes of GCH and possible remedies are therefore of high […]

Anthralin modulates the expression pattern of cytokeratins and antimicrobial peptides by psoriatic keratinocytes

Background: Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease with aberrant keratinocyte proliferation, presumably as a result of immune cell activation. Th17 cytokines like IL-17A and IL-22 are critically implicated in epidermal thickening, altered keratinocyte differentiation and production of innate factors such as antimicrobial peptides. Psoriasis treatment options include modern targeted therapies using anti-cytokine antibodies and traditional […]

Shigella depends on SepA to destabilize the intestinal epithelial integrity via cofilin activation

Shigella is unique among enteric pathogens, as it invades colonic epithelia through the basolateral pole. Therefore, it has evolved the ability to breach the intestinal epithelial barrier to deploy an arsenal of effector proteins, which permits bacterial invasion and leads to a severe inflammatory response. However, the mechanisms used by Shigella to regulate epithelial barrier permeability remain unknown. To […]

Mitotic Asynchrony Induces Transforming Growth Factor-b1 Secretion from Airway Epithelium

We recently proposed that mitotic asynchrony in repairing tissue may underlie chronic inflammation and fibrosis, where immune cell infiltration is secondary to proinflammatory cross-talk among asynchronously repairing adjacent tissues. Building on our previous finding that mitotic asynchrony is associated with proinflammatory/fibrotic cytokine secretion (e.g., transforming growth factor [TGF]-b1), here we provide evidence supporting cause-and-effect. Under normal conditions, primary airway epithelial […]

Pharmacologically-induced mitotic synchrony in airway epithelial cells as a mechanism of action of anti-inflammatory drugs

Background: Mitotic synchrony is the synchronous progression of a population of cells through the cell cycle and is characteristic of non-diseased airway epithelial cells. However, we previously showed that asthmatic airway epithelial cells are characterized by mitotic asynchrony and are pro-inflammatory as a result. Glucocorticoids can induce mitotic synchrony that in turn suppresses the pro-inflammatory state of diseased […]

In vitro systems toxicology approach to investigate the effects of repeated cigarette smoke exposure on human buccal and gingival organotypic epithelial tissue cultures

Smoking has been associated with diseases of the lung, pulmonary airways and oral cavity. Cytologic, genomic and transcriptomic changes in oral mucosa correlate with oral preneoplasia, cancer and inflammation (e.g. periodontitis). Alteration of smoking-related gene expression changes in oral epithelial cells is similar to that in bronchial and nasal epithelial cells. Using a systems toxicology approach, we have previously […]

ASTHMATIC AIRWAY EPITHELIUM IS INTRINSICALLY INFLAMMATORY AND MITOTICALLY DYSSYNCHRONOUS.

Asthma is an inflammatory condition for which anti-inflammatory glucocorticoids are the standard of care. However, similar efficacy has not been shown for agents targeting inflammatory cells and pathways. This suggests a noninflammatory cell contributor (e.g., epithelium) to asthmatic inflammation. Herein, we sought to define the intrinsic and glucocorticoid-affected properties of asthmatic airway epithelium compared with […]

NFAT REGULATES INDUCTION OF COX-2 AND APOPTOSIS OF KERATINOCYTES IN RESPONSE TO ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION EXPOSURE.

This study by researchers at Newcastle Univesity and the Royal Victoria Infirmary demonstrated that Mattek’s EpiDermFT full-thickness in vitro human skin tissue equivalent is an excellent in vitro model to investigate the wavelengths of UV radiation that activate specific skin NFAT transcription factors and the biological function of UV activated NFAT. The nuclear factor of […]

SULFUR MUSTARD TOXICITY FOLLOWING DERMAL EXPOSURE: ROLE OF OXIDATIVE STRESS, AND ANTIOXIDANT THERAPY.

Objective:  Sulfur mustard (bis-2-(chloroethyl) sulfide) is a chemical warfare agent (military code: HD) causing extensive skin injury. The mechanisms underlying HD-induced skin damage are not fully elucidated. This review will critically evaluate the evidence showing that oxidative stress is an important factor in HD skin toxicity. Oxidative stress results when the production of reactive oxygen […]

INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF PARTHENOLIDE-DEPLETED FEVERFEW (TANACETUM PARTHENIUM).

This study by researchers at Johnson and Johnson demonstrated that Mattek’s EpiDerm in vitro 3-D human skin tissue equivalent can be used to measure the effectiveness of a new topical formulation to inhibit TPA-induced release of PGE2 (Prostaglandin E2). Extracts of Tanacetum parthenium (L.) Sch. Bip., a plant known under the common name “Feverfew”, contains […]

IN VITRO AND IN VIVO COMPARISON OF DERMAL IRRITANCY OF JET FUEL EXPOSURE USING EPIDERM (EPI-200) CULTURED HUMAN SKIN AND HAIRLESS RATS.

This study by researchers at the Schools of Pharmacy at Florida A&M University and Auburn University demonstrated that Mattek’s EpiDerm human skin tissue equivalent can be used as an alternative to animals in evaluating the dermal irritation potential of several jet fuel formulations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the EpiDerm™ in vitro […]

DEVELOPMENT OF AN IN VITRO MODEL FOR THE PREDICTION OF SKIN IRRITATION POTENTIAL.

Cytokines important to the inflammatory cascade were measured both at the level of transcription and secreted protein, from skin equivalents topically exposed to a panel of relevant consumer products. The response of a full thickness model, consisting of both keratinocytes and fibroblasts (Advanced Tissue Sciences’ SKIN2™), was compared to a keratinocyte only equivalent (Mattek’s Epi-Derm™) […]

EVALUATION OF PRO-INFLAMMATORY BIOMARKERS OF IRRITATION IN HUMAN SKIN MODEL USING MULTIPLEXED IMMUNOASSAY.

UVB IRRADIATION OF AN ORGANOTYPIC SKIN MODEL, EPIDERM™, RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANT RELEASE OF CYTOKINES.

Ultraviolet light, especially UVB (290-320 nm), is believed to be responsible for most of the immediate and long term effects of excessive exposure to sunlight. In many cases, the initial stages of these UV induced changes are the release of cytokines. Although cytokine release from human keratinocytes in monolayer cultures following UV exposure has been […]

Phenotypic Responses of Differentiated Asthmatic Human Airway Epithelial Cultures to Rhinovirus

Objectives: Human airway epithelial cells are the principal target of human rhinovirus (HRV), a common cold pathogen that triggers the majority of asthma exacerbations. The objectives of this study were 1) to evaluate an in vitro air liquid interface cultured human airway epithelial cell model for HRV infection, and 2) to identify gene expression patterns […]

THE SKIN CANCER CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC AGENT INGENOL-3-ANGELATE (PEP005) IS A SUBSTRATE FOR THE EPIDERMAL MULTIDRUG TRANSPORTER (ABCB1) AND TARGETS TUMOR VASCULATURE.

Ingenol-3-angelate (Ing3A), extracted from Euphorbia peplus, is currently in clinical trials for eradicating basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ by topical application. Although structurally related to phorbol esters and a protein kinase C activator, topical Ing3A, but not phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), inhibited the growth of subcutaneous tumors derived […]

FLAVONOIDS DIFFERENTIALLY REGULATE IFN-GAMMA-INDUCED ICAM-1 EXPRESSION IN HUMAN KERATINOCYTES: MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF ACTION.

The effect of plant flavonoids on intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in human keratinocyte was investigated. ICAM-1 is known to mediate skin inflammation. Among the flavonoids tested, taxifolin was the most potent in inhibiting interferon γ (IFN γ)-induced ICAM-1 protein as well as mRNA expression in human keratinocytes. Much smaller dosages of taxifolin were required […]

INHIBITION OF TUMOUR NECROSIS FACTOR-Á SECRETION FROM EPIDERM TISSUES BY A NOVEL SMALL MOLECULE, UTL-5D.

This study by scientists at Unitech Pharmaceuticals, Wayne State University, BioInnovation Laboratories, and the Taiwan National Defense Medical Center demonstrated that Mattek’s EpiDerm in vitro 3-D human skin tissue equivalent could be used to study the dose-dependent reduction of TNF-á by a specific small molecule, UTL-5d, as well as study the feasibility of using this […]

Evaluation of a Reconstructed Human Oral Buccal Tissue Model as a Testing Platform for Determining the Oral Irritation Potential of Tobacco Products

There is an increasing need by the tobacco industry to evaluate the irritation and inflammation potential of tobacco products to support product development goals, for sound product stewardship, and likely regulatory safety tests. The use of in vitro human cell and tissue-based test methods to replace in vivo animal models addresses the need for more […]

A NEW MODEL FOR STUDIES ON CERVICOVAGINAL INFLAMMATION AND BARRIER DISRUPTION.

INTRODUCTION: Several microbicide candidates have failed in recent clinical trials due to the induction of vaginal inflammation and epithelial barrier disruption. New preclinical models are needed for assessing inflammation and barrier disruption of the vaginal epithelium, and for testing effects of microbicides in an inflammatory environment. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to establish […]

STUDIES ON VAGINAL INNATE IMMUNITY IN THE EPIVAGINAL MODEL.

This study by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine and Mattek Corp. demonstrated that the EpiVaginal full thickness human cervico-vaginal tissue equivalent can provide valuable information on molecular mechanisms of vaginal innate immunity, and serve as a test system to determine effects of microbicides on vaginal immune defense. Background: The Mattek EpiVaginal™ (EV) full […]

THE RETROCYCLIN ANALOGUE RC-101 PREVENTS HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS TYPE 1 INFECTION OF A MODEL HUMAN CERVICOVAGINAL TISSUE CONSTRUCT.

This study by researchers at the University of Central Florida, University of Pittsburgh and UCLA School of Medicine demonstrated that Mattek’s EpiVaginal human vaginal-ectocervical tissue equivalent can be used to test the toxicity and efficacy of potential HIV-1 topical microbicides. Retrocyclins are cyclic antimicrobial peptides that exhibit potent activity towards a broad range of primary […]

PARP-1 ACTIVITY IS INVOLVED IN THE SOLAR UV-INDUCED CUTANEOUS INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE IN THE EPIDERM-FT IN VITRO HUMAN SKIN MODEL.

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) is known to be activated under conditions of genotoxic stress.  In the presence of DNA damage, PARP-1, a nuclear zinc-finger DNA-binding protein, is activated and catalyzes the transfer of ADP-ribose from NAD+ to itself (automodification) and a range of other nuclear proteins (1,2,3).  UV-induced cutaneous inflammation has been demonstrated in […]

TGF-á REGULATES TLR EXPRESSION AND FUNCTION ON EPIDERMAL KERATINOCYTES.

This study by researchers at the UCLA School of Medicine and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics demonstrated that Mattek’s EpiDerm human skin tissue equivalent can be used to investigate how TGF-á, a growth and differentiation factor present during wound healing and in psoriasis, up-regulates toll-like receptor (TLR) expression and function on keratinocytes, thereby […]

EFFECTS OF CEES ON INFLAMMATORY MEDIATORS, HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN 70A, HISTOLOGY AND ULTRASTRUCTURE IN TWO SKIN MODELS.

Chemical warfare threats require the development of diverse models for the assessment of countermeasures. Human skin products, Skin2 (differentiating keratinocytes on a fibroblast-collagen matrix) and EpiDerm (differentiating keratinocytes) were exposed (2 h) to the sulfur mustard 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES. 1-2 mg l(-1) min(-1)) in humidified air or to humidified air alone. Tissues were evaluated […]

CHARACTERIZATION OF DIACETYL VAPOR-INDUCED AIRWAY TOXICITY USING THE HUMAN EPIAIRWAY™ IN VITRO MODEL.

Inhalation exposure to diacetyl vapor in artificial butter flavoring has been associated with the development of bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) in microwave popcorn factory workers. Inhalation of diacetyl vapor has also been shown to cause inflammation and BO-like lung lesions in animal models. EpiAirway tissue was investigated as an in vitro model system to assess the […]

DEVELOPMENT OF AN IN VITRO ALTERNATIVE ASSAY METHOD FOR VAGINAL IRRITATION.

The vaginal mucosa is commonly exposed to chemicals and therapeutic agents that may result in irritation and/or inflammation. In addition to acute effects, vaginal irritation and inflammation can make women more susceptible to infections such as HIV-1 and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). Hence, the vaginal irritation potential of feminine care formulations and vaginally administered […]

PRE-VALIDATION OF RECONSTRUCTED EPIVAGINAL TISSUE MODEL TO SCREEN IRRITATION POTENTIAL OF CHEMICALS.

IDENTIFICATION OF INTELLIGENT BIOMARKERS OF EXPOSURE AND HARM IN THE RESPIRATORY EPITHELIAL TO TOBACCO SMOKE COMPONENTS.

This study by researchers in the Cardiff University School of Biosciences (Wales/UK) demonstrated how Mattek’s EpiAirway in vitro human tracheal/ bronchial tissue equivalent can be used to study the early gene response of human respiratory epithelia to tobacco smoke component exposure. A novel toxicological tool, which consists of a differentiated, 3-D, in vitro model of […]

DIFFERENTIAL REGULATION OF â-DEFENSIN EXPRESSION IN HUMAN SKIN BY MICROBIAL STIMULI.

This study by researchers at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine and Lund University (Sweden) demonstrated that Mattek’s EpiDerm in vitro human skin tissue equivalent can be used to study the pathways that connect infection and inflammation with the induction of antimicrobial peptides in epithelia. In response to infection, epithelia mount an innate immune response […]

VAGINAL FORMULATION – HOW INNOCUOUS ARE THEY TO THE VAGINAL EPITHELIAL IMMUNE FUNCTION?

This study by researchers in the Harvard Medical School Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology demonstrated that Mattek’s EpiVaginal in vitro human cervico-vaginal tissue equivalent is an excellent tissue model for performing both immunoinflammatory characterization and safety assessment of vaginal products. Problem: The disruption of the epithelial barrier and activation of inflammatory pathways may lead to […]

CYTOKINE RELEASE OF A KERATINOCYTE MODEL AFTER INCUBATION WITH TWO DIFFERENT VISCUM ALBUM L EXTRACTS.

This study by researchers at several institutions including the International Institute for Oncological and Immunological Research and the University of California at San Francisco demonstrated that Mattek’s EpiDerm in vitro human skin tissue equivalent is an excellent in vitro model for measuring the specific pro-inflammatory cytokines released in the skin when exposed to pro-inflammatory compounds, […]

ATTENUATION OF SURFACTANT-INDUCED INTERLEUKIN 1α EXPRESSION BY ZINC PYRITHIONE.

Background: Dandruff is believed to be a fungus-mediated disease which responds to the topical delivery of antifungal agents. Although the primary causative factor is fungus related, distal events include an inflammatory cascade that eventually expresses itself as corneocyte flakes. The most common vehicle for dandruff treatment includes surfactants (i.e. shampoos), which as a chemical group […]

Th17 CYTOKINES INTERLEUKIN (IL)-17 AND IL-22 MODULATE DISTINCT INFLAMMATORY AND KERATINOCYTE-RESPONSE PATHWAYS.

Background Psoriasis vulgaris is an inflammatory skin disease mediated by Th1 and Th17 cytokines, yet the relative contribution. of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-22 on disease pathogenesis is still unknown. Objectives: In this study, we sought to identify the cytokines produced by skin­-resident T cells in normal skin, localize the receptors for these cytokines, […]

EXPRESSION OF PROLIFERATIVE AND INFLAMMATORY MARKERS IN A FULL-THICKNESS HUMAN SKIN EQUIVALENT FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO THE MODEL SULFUR MUSTARD VESICANT, 2-CHLOROETHYL ETHYL SULFIDE.

Sulfur mustard is a potent vesicant that induces inflammation, edema and blistering following dermal exposure. To assess molecular mechanisms mediating these responses, we analyzed the effects of the model sulfur mustard vesicant, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide, on EpiDerm-FT™, a commercially available full-thickness human skin equivalent. CEES (100–1000 ìM) caused a concentration-dependent increase in pyknotic nuclei and […]

SAFETY EVALUATION OF NANOSILVER USING RECONSTRUCTED HUMAN GIT TISSUES

In our pilot study focused on safety evaluation of nanosilver three novel commercially available  reconstructed human  tissues were used for mimicking the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The evaluated endpoints included tissue viability, cytokine release and penetration of silver into the tissue culture medium. The results confirmed no adverse effect of nanosilver on the viability of […]

ASSESSMENT OF ORGANOTYPIC EPIVAGINALTM TISSUE MODEL TO SCREEN IRRITATION POTENTIAL OF CHEMICALS.

A predictive test system for assessing the vaginal irritation of chemicals and formulations will have far reaching application in industries involved in feminine care products. The vaginal mucosa is commonly exposed to chemicals or therapeutic agents that can cause irritation/inflammation and increase the susceptibility to infections such as HIV-1 and HSV-2. Hence, chemical/formulation or therapeutic […]

CHARACTERIZATION OF INFLAMMATORY MEDIATOR RELEASE FROM AN IN VITRO HUMAN TRACHEAL/BRONCHIAL EPITHELIAL TISSUE MODEL.

Monolayer cultures of human-derived tracheal/bronchial epithelial (TBE) cells have been instrumental in understanding the mechanisms of respiratory tract pathologies such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, and tracheal and bronchial inflammation. However, cells in monolayer culture lack the differentiated function of normal in vivo tissue. For instance, monolayer cells are not polarized, they lack cilia and tight […]

BIOCOMPATIBILITY OF SOLID DOSAGE ANTI-HIV-1 MICROBICIDES AND VAGINAL PRODUCTS WITH THE MUCOSAL CYTOKINE NETWORK.

AVOCADO PHYTOSTEROLS DECREASE UVB-INDUCED PRO-INFLAMMATORY MEDIATORS.

Exposure of skin to UVB radiation can cause the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and prostanoids. Changes in the production of these mediators in the skin can decrease or increase the potentially damaging effects of UVB irradiation. In this series of experiments we investigated the effects of avocado-derived sterols on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators IL-1α, […]

EXPRESSION OF PLACENTA GROWTH FACTOR CYCLOOXYGENASE AND THYMUS-AND ACTIVATION-REGULATED CHEMOKINE IN THE EPIDERM IN VITRO HUMAN SKIN EQUIVALENT.

In vitro skin equivalent models are finding increased utility as tools in basic skin research, safety assessment and product development processes. To further utilization for these purposes, we are currently defining a growing list of physiologically significant molecular endpoints to monitor the effects of experimental treatments on EpiDerm™ in vitro human skin tissue. In the […]

ULTRAVIOLET B RADIATION UPREGULATES THE PRODUCTION OF MACROPHAGE MIGRATION INHIBITORY FACTOR (MIF) IN HUMAN EPIDERMAL KERATINOCYTES.

Human epidermal cells are capable of secreting various cytokines with immunologic, inflammatory, and proliferative properties. In a previous study, by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analysis, we have shown that human epidermal keratinocytes express macrophage migration inhibitory factor and identified its presence in the cytoplasm. In this study, we detected an increased serum macrophage […]

USE OF EPIDERM™ AS AN INFLAMMATORY MODEL FOR PRE-CLINICAL SCREENING.

Organotypic skin models are becoming widely used by the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries as an alternative to animal testing for screening cosmetics and potential therapeutics for safety and efficacy. The purpose of this study was to test if Mattek’s EpiDerm organotypic skin model can be induced at the molecular level to initiate an inflammatory response. […]

IL-1-RELATED CYTOKINE RESPONSES OF NONIMMUNE SKIN CELLS SUBJECTED TO CEES EXPOSURE WITH AND WITHOUT POTENTIAL VESICANT ANTAGONISTS.

Sulfur mustard provokes an acute inflammatory response in skin. To determine if keratinocytes regulate this response and whether three potential vesicant antagonists can counteract adverse changes, specimens of EpiDerm™ (Mattek Corp., Ashland, MA), a human skin model of differentiating keratinocytes, were exposed 2 h to humidified air with or without 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES. 1.72-4.73 […]

TRICHOMONAS VAGINALIS LIPOPHOSPHOGLYCAN TRIGGERS A SELECTIVE UPREGULATION OF CYTOKINES BY HUMAN FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT EPITHELIAL CELLS.

This study by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Cornell University, Boston University School of Medicine, and SUNY Upstate Medical University demonstrated that Mattek’s EpiVaginal human cervico-vaginal tissue equivalent can be used to study in vitro the molecular pathways important in initiating host inflammatory and immune responses to Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomonas vaginalis is […]

THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN IN VITRO SCREENING STRATEGY FOR TOPICALLY APPLIED PRODUCTS.

The objective of this study was the pharmaco-toxicological understanding of the constituents of an authenticated herbal mixture. The mixture was prepared by maceration in ethanol and subsequent dilution to produce a topically applied lotion, for which the intended target conditions are psoriasis and eczema. A three-tiered in vitro screening strategy was adopted for evaluating this […]

EXPRESSION AND FUNCTION OF BACTERICIDAL/PERMEABILITY – INCREASING PROTEIN IN HUMAN GENITAL TRACT EPITHELIAL CELLS.

This study by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School demonstrated that Mattek’s EpiVaginal human cervico-vaginal tissue equivalent expresses bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) and that this protein’s role in regulating bacterial colonization in the genital mucosa can be studied in vitro using EpiVaginal tissues. Genital tract epithelia regularly encounter and adapt to the existence of […]

THE EFFECTS OF IL-20 SUBFAMILY CYTOKINES ON RECONSTITUTED HUMAN EPIDERMIS SUGGEST POTENTIAL ROLES IN CUTANEOUS INNATE DEFENSE AND PATHOGENIC ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY IN PSORIASIS.

This study by researchers at Genentech demonstrated that Mattek’s EpiDerm human skin tissue equivalent can be used to study the immunopathology of psoriasis. IL-19, IL-20, IL-22, IL-24, and IL-26 are members of the IL-10 family of cytokines that have been shown to be up-regulated in psoriatic skin. Contrary to IL-10, these cytokines signal using receptor […]

DI-PPG-2-MYRETH-10 ADIPATE REDUCES IRRITATION AND INFLAMMATION CAUSED BY COSMETIC PRODUCTS.

RL Goldemberg has stated that nonionic surfactants – particularly ethoxylated esters – act as counter irritants in amphoteric/anionic shampoo systems; several studies in our laboratories have demonstrated this desirable property (ethoxylated modified glycerides, and PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate). In the search for new molecules, we synthesized an alkoxylated myristyl alcohol derivative Di-PPG-2-Myreth-10 Adipate (DMA). DMA is […]

ORGANOTYPIC HUMAN SMALL INTESTINAL TISSUE TO ASSESS EPITHELIAL RESTITUTION.

Purpose:  The intestinal epithelium (SMI) forms an important physiological barrier in the gastrointestinal tract but this barrier can be compromised by a wide range of substances including drugs, microbes, and dietary substances traveling through the lumen.  Since repeated epithelial damage or injury are implicated in intestinal disorders including inflammatory bowel diseases, rapid closure or resealing […]

MICROARRAY EXPRESSION STUDIES ON AN IN VITRO MODEL OF HUMAN AIRWAY EPITHELIUM (EPIAIRWAY).

This study by researchers at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford University’s Centre for Gene Function and Mattek Corp. demonstrated how Mattek’s EpiAirway in vitro human tracheal/bronchial tissue equivalent can be used to identify genes and processes involved in the development of human respiratory epithelium and its defenses. Microarray technology now permits analysis […]

PSORIASIN (S100A7) IS A MAJOR ANTIMICROBIAL COMPONENT OF THE FEMALE GENITAL TRACT.

This study by researchers at the Medical University of Vienna and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein demonstrated that Mattek’s EpiVaginal in vitro 3-D human cervico-vaginal tissue equivalent can be used to confirm psoriasin expression when the tissue was exposed to IL-1alpha and to secreted components of E. coli. Psoriasin has been shown to be the major Escherichia […]

APPLICATION OF ORGANOTYPIC IN VITRO HUMAN CELL CULTURE MODELS FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF INHALATION PHARMACEUTICAL FORMULATIONS TARGETING THE PROXIMAL AIRWAYS.

Delivery of pharmaceuticals via inhalation is a potentially useful alternative to intravenous injection for drugs that are unstable or poorly absorbed after oral administration; for chronic disease conditions that require frequent administration: or therapeutics for which the airways are the intended target. The proximal airways are common targets for drugs Intended to treat inflammatory conditions […]

TH2 CYTOKINE STIMULATED AIRWAY EPITHELIAL CELLS DEMONSTRATE GRANULE-DEPENDENT FasL LOCALIZATION.

This study by researchers at St. Paul’s Hospital / University of British Columbia demonstrated how Mattek’s EpiAirway human airway tissue equivalent can be used to investigate if the localization and presentation of an airway epithelial cell constituent, Fas Ligand (FasL), is dependant on the inflammatory state of the airway tissue. Background: Airway epithelium has been […]

TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR ALPHA (TNFα) INDUCTION OF THYMUS AND ACTIVATION REGULATED CHEMOKINE (TARC) EXPRESSION IS MEDIATED BY 15-LIPOXYGENASE 15-(LOX)-2 IN THE EPIAIRWAY™ HUMAN TRACHEAL/BRONCHIAL EPITHELIAL MODEL.

RATIONALE: T-Helper 2-type (TH2) T cells play a predominant role in human airway inflammation and asthma. TARC, a specific chemoattractant for TH2 cells, is induced by TNFα treatment of human airway cells, however, the cellular pathways involved in mediating TARC induction by TNFα are not fully understood. METHODS: Researchers at the Vanderbilt University School of […]

EXPRESSION OF 15-LIPOXYGENASE-2 IN THE EPIAIRWAY™ IN VITRO HUMAN TRACHEAL/BRONCHIAL EPITHELIAL MODEL: REGULATION BY TNF-α AND INF-γ.

15-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15[S]-HETE) is the predominate arachidonic acid (AA) metabolite produced by human tracheal/bronchial tissue. This product of the 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) enzyme is believed to play a significant role in human airway inflammation and respiratory diseases including cystic fibrosis and asthma. In the current work performed by scientists at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and […]

AccelaFuze™ PEPTIDE INFUSION THERAPY.

This study by scientists at Woodford Medical Aesthetics demonstrated that Mattek’s EpiDermFT full-thickness in vitro 3-D human skin tissue equivalent, because it is produced from normal (non-transformed) human skin cells (keratinocytes and fibroblasts), can be used to accurately measure the specific gene expression changes produced by new topical skin treatments before they are tested on […]

NORMAL HUMAN DENDRITIC CELLS: A TOOL TO STUDY ALLERGIC AND IMMUNOLOGICAL REACTIONS IN VITRO.

Dendritic cells (DC) or Langerhans cells (LC) are immunological cells of the body which play a key role in allergic reactions and infectious diseases. However, widespread experimental use of DC has not occurred since previously-used methods of harvesting DC directly from tissue result in poor yields, short survival time, and rapid phenotypic changes. Currently, we […]

A PLASMACYTOID DENDRITIC CELL (CD123+/CD11c−) BASED ASSAY SYSTEM TO PREDICT CONTACT ALLERGENICITY OF CHEMICALS.

This study by scientists at Mattek Corp. demonstrated that CD86 expression in the plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell (pDC) fraction of Mattek’s Human Dendritic Cells is a sensitive and specific indicator of contact allergenicity, and that an assay method utilizing normal human plasmacytoid dendritic cells will be useful for high throughput screening of chemicals for allergenicity. A […]

CYTOKINE AND LIPID MEDIATOR RELEASE FROM IN VITRO SKIN MODELS FOLLOWING DETERGENT TREATMENT OR PHYSICAL WOUNDING.

The purpose of the present work is to characterize two in vitro skin mod-els with regard to release of inflammatory cytokines and lipids under basal conditions and following chemical or physical damage. The two models evaluated are Skin2 (Advanced Tissue Sciences) and EpiDerm (Mattek Corporation). Model tissues were topically treated with SDS or were slice-wounded […]

Predicting Respiratory Toxicity Using a Human 3D Airway (EpiAirway™) Model Combined with Multiple Parametric Analysis

The objective of this study was to assess the potential for an in vitro three-dimensional human airway model (Epi-AirwayTM) to accurately predict respiratory toxicity in humans. This was done by exposing EpiAirway tissues to known respiratory toxicants and assessing tissue viability (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide [MTT] assay and histology), oxidative stress of the tissues (cellular glutathione [GSH] […]