title: A new respirometric endpoint-based biosensor to assess the relative toxicity of chemicals on immobilized human cells.
abstract: Several functional and biochemical parameters have been proposed as biomarkers of effect of environmental pollutants. A rapid biosensor working with immobilized human U-937 cells was developed and applied to environmentally relevant chemicals with different structures and toxicological pathways, i.e. benzalkonium chloride, clofibric acid, diclofenac, mercury nitrate, ofloxacin, and sodium dodecyl sulphate. Respiration of cells was relied upon as a comprehensive biochemical effect for screening purposes. Analytical parameter (DeltappmO(2)) and toxicological index (respiratory inhibition, delta%) measured after 1h of exposure were utilized for dose-response relationship study. Results (toxicity rating scales based on delta(50)% and steepness) were compared with those obtained by the same approach previously optimized on Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The toxicity rating scale obtained by the biomarker based on human mitochondrial and cell metabolic activities compared well with previous scale obtained on yeast cells and with available in-vivo acute toxicity indexes; respiration was confirmed as toxicological endpoint reliably measurable by the biosensor.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Complex Systems, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: roberto.dragone@uniroma1.it.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dragone
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health and WHO/FAO Collaborating Centre for Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Frazzoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of Rome "La Sapienza", P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grappelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University "La Sapienza", P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Campanella
mesh_terms: D001681:Biological Assay; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods; D018914:Cells, Immobilized / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000633:toxicity; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D010984:Platinum / Q000494:pharmacology; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000187:drug effects; D020298:U937 Cells / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D004008:Diclofenac; D010984:Platinum