MB Research Laboratories - Alternative Ocular Toxicology Testing

Alternative Ocular Irritation Assays

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.

In Vitro and Alternative Assays

1) Three dimensional Human Ocular Tissue Equivalent Systems

MatTek EpiOcular^TM, 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) Hen's Egg Test-Chorioallantoic Membrane (HET-CAM)

Draize Rabbit Eye Test Alternative
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

4) Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability Assay (BCOP)

Draize Rabbit Eye Test Alternative
Uses excised bovine corneas normally discarded
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)

5) 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

6) 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