RNA-seq of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neuroectodermal cells exposed to ethylparaben.
Parabens have been used for decades as preservatives in food, drugs and cosmetics. However, the majority were banned in 2009 and 2014, leaving only methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and butyl-derivates available for subsequent use. Methyl- and propylparaben have been extensively tested in vivo, with no resulting evidence for developmental and reproductive toxicity (DART). In contrast, ethylparaben has not yet been tested for DART in animal experiments, and it is currently debated if additional animal studies are warranted. Here we used an established in vitro test based on human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) that are exposed to test substances during their differentiation to neuroectodermal cells. The concentration-dependent effect of ethylparaben (ethyl-4-hydroxybenzoate) on cytotoxicity and genome-wide expression patterns by RNA-seq were studied.