Simpler alternative to CARCINOscreen(®) based on quantitative PCR (qPCR).

Carcinogenicity of chemicals in our environment is one of the most important health hazards to humans. Recently, a microarray-based short-term prediction system for the hepatocarcinogenicity of chemicals, named CARCINOscreen(®), was developed. Although the system is a promising tool reported to have an ability to predict hepatocarcinogenicity in rats with 92.

Identification of sheep red blood cell (SRBC) surface immune-responsive peptides detected by antisera from SRBC-immunized rats.

To identify the sheep red blood cell (SRBC) surface immune-responsive peptides, immuno-reactive fraction of SRBC was detected by SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis with antisera from SRBC-immunized rats. Then the most intense immuno-reactive band on SDS-PAGE was subjected to nanoLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis, and 17 proteins were identified including membrane proteins of erythrocytes such as band 3 anion transport protein isoform 1 (Anion exchange protein 1; AE-1, CD233), Ammonium transporter Rh type A (Rh type A glycoprotein, CD241) and Ankyrin-1 (ANK-1), Spectrin beta chain. Among them, plasma protein AE-1 (CD233) and Rh type A glycoprotein (CD241) have transmembrane domain and correspond to extracellular region in their sequences.

A Comprehensive Genomic Analysis Reveals the Genetic Landscape of Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Complex Deficiencies.

Mitochondrial disorders have the highest incidence among congenital metabolic disorders characterized by biochemical respiratory chain complex deficiencies. It occurs at a rate of 1 in 5,000 births, and has phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity. Mutations in about 1,500 nuclear encoded mitochondrial proteins may cause mitochondrial dysfunction of energy production and mitochondrial disorders.

Differences in gene expression profiles in liver caused by different types of anesthesia: cases of CO2-O2 and isoflurane.

Anesthesia is used for pain control and is necessary in toxicological studies. In this study, we examined the effects of anesthesia on gene expression profiles caused by different types of anesthesia. To elucidate the effects of anesthesia on gene expression profiles, DNA microarray analysis was performed with CO2-O2 anesthesia and isoflurane anesthesia, and gene expression profiles in the liver were analyzed.

Applicability of a gene expression based prediction method to SD and Wistar rats: an example of CARCINOscreen®.

Recently, the development of several gene expression-based prediction methods has been attempted in the fields of toxicology. CARCINOscreen® is a gene expression-based screening method to predict carcinogenicity of chemicals which target the liver with high accuracy. In this study, we investigated the applicability of the gene expression-based screening method to SD and Wistar rats by using CARCINOscreen®, originally developed with F344 rats, with two carcinogens, 2,4-diaminotoluen and thioacetamide, and two non-carcinogens, 2,6-diaminotoluen and sodium benzoate.

Comparison of outcomes obtained in murine local lymph node assays using CBA/J or CBA/Ca mice.

CBA/J and CBA/Ca mice are the recommended strains for local lymph node assays (LLNAs). Here, we report quantitative and qualitative comparisons between both mouse strains to provide useful information for the strain selection of sensitization testing. LLNA was conducted, in accordance with Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Test Guideline No.

CARCINOscreen®: New short-term prediction method for hepatocarcinogenicity of chemicals based on hepatic transcript profiling in rats.

Carcinogenicity is one of the most serious toxic effects of chemicals, and highly accurate methods for predicting carcinogens are strongly desired for human health. Here, we developed a new prediction system named "CARCINOscreen®" for evaluating the carcinogenic potentials of chemicals using the gene expression profiles of liver tissues from rats after a 28-day repeated dose toxicity study.The prediction formula was generated using a support vector machine with predictive genes selected from 68 training chemical datasets; a predictive score was then calculated to predict the carcinogenic potentials of the tested chemicals.

Correlation study in skin and eye irritation between rabbits and humans based on published literatures.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlations in skin and eye irritations between rabbits and humans using published international databases. We selected 60 and 56 compounds for skin and eye irritation, respectively. When the reactions were divided into irritation-negative or irritation-positive, including corrosion, similar reactions between rabbits and humans were detected for 53 compounds in skin irritation and 54 compounds in eye irritation, showing rates of agreement in skin and eye as 88% and 96%, respectively.

New short term prediction method for chemical carcinogenicity by hepatic transcript profiling following 28-day toxicity tests in rats.

We have previously shown the hepatic gene expression profiles of carcinogens in 28-day toxicity tests were clustered into three major groups (Group-1 to 3). Here, we developed a new prediction method for Group-1 carcinogens which consist mainly of genotoxic rat hepatocarcinogens. The prediction formula was generated by a support vector machine using 5 selected genes as the predictive genes and predictive score was introduced to judge carcinogenicity.

Evaluation for skin sensitization based on published literatures (existing information) of major PRTR designated chemical substances in Japan.

Of the 354 substances designated as class I under the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) law in Japan, we reviewed the sensitization data of the selected 144 substances and analyzed it from various aspects comparing human and animal data, determining the relationship between skin sensitization and chemical structure and comparing the various international organizations. Although most of them were expected to be hazardous substances, 49 out of the 144 substances lacked both human and animal sensitization data. Positive substances accounted for 69% and 42% of the substances for which sensitization data were available in the case of humans and animals, respectively.