Endpoints for Testing Aerosols

Test aerosols are analysed using an individually established experimental setup. Cells (e.g. human lung cell line A549) are grown on microporous membranes, adapted to specific exposure conditions and exposed directly to the aerosol without any modifications. Cells can be analysed after exposure for several endpoints including toxicity and genotoxicity.

Possible endpoints for cytotoxicity

DNA content
Protein content
Tetrazolium salt conversion (WST-1)
Neutral red uptake
LDH release
Energy status of the cells

Further endpoints for cell activities

Intracellular glutathione
Enzyme activities (e.g. glutathione-reductase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase)
Interleukin secretion (e.g. IL-8)

Possible endpoints for genotoxicity

Determination of DNA damage using DNA repair-deficient CHO strains
Determination of DNA damage and repair capacity (COMET assay)
Determination of mutagenic events (micronuclei assay)

Besides mammalian cells, bacteria can also be exposed at the air/agar interface to native gaseous or complex atmospheres like cigarette smoke. The Ames assay was adapted to study the mutagenic capacity of such complex test atmospheres or their gas vapour phase in specially designed CULTEX^® modules (CULTEX^® B). The Ames assay, generally accepted by regulatory authorities, can also be used to study the mutagenic potency of airborne materials with our methodology.

Individual endpoints can be developed depending on the chemical and physical properties of the test substance.