CCLTOP. Catalogue of cell lines in toxicology and pharmacology

Abstract

Established cell lines are increasingly used for studying the metabolism of xenobiotics, analyzing their mechanism of action and screening for potential biological effects. These cell lines possess a number of features which recommend them for use in academic, industrial and regulatory toxicology and pharmacology. They 1. represent defined systems, 2. are readily available, 3. can be standardized and exchanged from laboratory to laboratory, 4. are amenable to studying the effects of chemicals on cellular growth and division, and 5. are suitable for following up long-term effects such as mutagenicity and malignant cell transformation. Since the toxication and detoxication of chemicals, e.g. industrial compounds, pesticides, food additives or drugs, are largely determined by their metabolism, cultured cells will only be as useful in toxicology and pharmacology as they are metabolically competent. Here is the Achilles' heel of established cell lines. Numerous studies have shown that a sizable fraction of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (XMEs), in particular their liver-specific forms, is not expressed in cells in permanent culture. However, the situation has profoundly changed since the genes of many of these enzymes have been transfected into established cell lines and brought to permanent expression. This has prompted us to bring together information on the expression of XMEs in permanent cell lines, establishing the Catalogue of Cell Lines used in TOxicology and Pharmacology (CCLTOP). We wish the catalogue to serve as a ready source of information for scientists working in the field of in vitro toxicology and pharmacology, to stimulate research in this area, to prevent duplication of efforts and to identify uncharted territory. The catalogue should also form the basis for a rational selection of 'carrier' cells for future transfections of XMEs. (orig.)SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: RO 2674(1996,3) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekDEGerman