The article, A new corneal epithelial biomimetic 3D model for in vitro eye toxicity assessment: Development, characterization and applicability, Toxicology in Vitro by Silva et al., describes the development, characterization and evaluation of the applicability of a new corneal epithelial biomimetic 3D model using a cell lineage for assessment of eye toxicity.
The purpose of this study was to develop, characterize and evaluate the applicability of a new human corneal biomimetic 3D model, reconstructed using the Cultured Human Keratinocyte (HaCaT) keratinocytes cell line, for eye toxicity assessment of isolated chemicals and complex mixtures.
Commercially available 3D models, such as the EpiOcularTM model developed by MatTek Corporation and HCE model developed by SkinEthicTM, are typically used for eye toxicity studies. However, in Brazil, there are legal barriers in regard to the importation of such models. Therefore, Silva et al. proposed the development of a corneal epithelium biomimetic model.
The model was obtained through the cultivation of the HaCaT cell line in an air-liquid interface, which presented morphology and biomarkers expression similar to the human corneal epithelium. The model was evaluated using chemicals from the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) under the category for eye irritants. Overall, the eye model was shown to be a suitable endpoint for the classification of test materials, allowing discrimination between irritant and non-irritant chemicals. In addition, it demonstrated a predictive capacity similar to the commercially available corneal epithelial models.
An advantage of the proposed method is the employment of an established cell line, which can ensure a good interlaboratory reproducibility, as well as a low cost and the possibility of technology transfer. This reproducible and low-cost epithelial corneal model presents features very important for Brazil and South America, where access to animal testing is difficult.
Reference
A.C.G. da Silva, A.R. Chialchia, E.G. de Castro, et al., A new corneal epithelial biomimetic 3D model for in vitro eye toxicity assessment: Development, characterization and applicability, Toxicology in Vitro(2018), https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.tiv.2019.104666