ATLA::Alternatives to Laboratory Animals

Volume 31, Number 3

Bridging the gap between in vitro and in vivo toxicology testing.

Marion Ehrich

Laboratory for Neurotoxicity Studies, Virginia Tech, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0442 USA

SUMMARY

In vitro systems for neurotoxicological studies can be useful for the investigation of events associated with pertubations of cellular and molecular targets that are similar to those in the intact animal. The toxicities of organophosphorus compounds, which inhibit esterases, and 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), which depletes dopamine, can be studied in human neuroblastorna cells.

Keywords: MPTP, neuroblastoma cells, neurotoxicity, organophosphorus compounds