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.
Ocular Irritation Assays
Porcine Cornea Reversibility Assay (PorCORA)
- Uses excised porcine cornea normally discarded
- Corneas maintained in culture for up to 21 Days
- Measures "Days to Recover" after exposure to possible Irritants
- Allows discrimination between Severe Irritant and Ocular Corrosive
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
HET-CAM - Hen's Egg Test - Chorioallantoic Membrane (HET-CAM)
- Uses fertilized chicken eggs
- INVITTOX PROTOCOL Number 47
Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability Assay (BCOP)
- 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)
Replacement Ocular Battery (ROBatt)
- Uses tiered testing strategy of alternative ocular irritation assays (CAMVA, BCOP, PorCORA, PorFocal) to determine regulatory classification of a test material without the use of live animals.
- Currently Under Development
Three Dimensional Human Ocular Tissue Equivalent Systems
MatTek EpiOcular™, SkinEthic 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
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
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
Dermal Irritation Assays
Three Dimensional Human Skin Equivalent Systems
The 3D models available at MB Research (MatTek EpiDerm™ and SkinEthic systems) allow the application of the test material directly to the "skin" surface and permit the assessment of dermal toxicity via a wide variety of parameters.
- Cytotoxicity via MTT, neutral red viability assay, or flow cytometry
- Histological examination (H & E) of the epidermal layers, including the stratum corneum
- Measurement of inflammatory mediator and lytokine release (PGE-2, nitric oxide, TNFa, IL1a, and other interleukins)
- Dissolution of the tissue equivalent into a single cell suspension, with subsequent flow cytometric analysis allows evaluation of gene expression and peroxide production (antioxidant status of cells)
Dermal Corrosivity Assays
Corrositex™
- An accepted alternative to the Draize rabbit corrosivity test that recently has been validated by ICCVAM for use for DOT, FHSA, CPSC, EPA and FDA testing
- Allows Packing Group assignment of test materials
- Can be used to compare the relative corrosivity of materials within
Packing Groups for product development purposes. See www.corrositex.com for more information.
MatTek EpiDerm™ Corrosivity Test
- Validated by ECVAM and ICCVAM as an in vitro alternative corrosivity test based on human skin cells
- Allows testing of material not compatible with Corrositex™
Phototoxicity Assays
- With 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells via the EC/COLIPA validated protocol. See www.3t3nru.com for more information.
- Using the MatTek EpiDerm™ protocol currently under review by ECVAM
- Human keratinocytes or fibroblasts
MB Research also performs other in vitro and alternative assays. Please refer to our Capabilities List or feel free to contact a Client Services Representative for assistance.