About the Book
There is a pressing need among researchers involved in toxicologic investigation for a series of publications that organizes and presents information on the latest experimental methodologies. To address the needs of researchers in toxicology, toxicologic pathology, pharmacology, and clinical biochemistry, this new serial - "Methods in Toxicology" - provides comprehensive descriptions of state-of-the-art methods for evaluating drug and chemical toxicity. Thematic volumes focus on mechanistic approaches to the study of toxicity both "in vitro" and "in vivo", taking advantage of the recent advances in the biological and chemical sciences that allow closer scrutiny of the mechanisms by which chemical agents cause organismic or cellular damage. Each volume begins with an introductory chapter that offers a broad guide to the application of methods addressed in that volume. Subsequent chapters contain detailed descriptions of research protocols, accessible both to experts and those new to toxicologic investigation.
Included in each chapter are clearly defined procedures, discussions of limitations of the method, comparative considerations (species, sex, strain), interpretations of results and explanations of how the methods may serve as alternatives to "in vivo" testing. Each volume of "Methods in Toxicology" is available in case binding for the library and wire-o-binding for the laboratory. "In vitro" methods have provided a valuable tool for toxicological research over the years. Historically, these methods have made significant contributions to our understanding of mechanisms of action toxins and xenobiotic metabolism and, in this context, have provided an indispensable resource for investigative toxicology. More recently, the value of "in vitro" systems as toxicity tests for chemical safety and hazard evaluation has been recognized and explored. Whether the "in vitro" approach is employed as a model system for investigative research or as a toxicity test for risk assessment, a critical component is the biological system. Selection and successful culturing of the appropriate cell, tissue or organ for a particular scientific purpose is essential for a satisfactory outcome.
The objective of this volume is to provide both beginning, as well as established, researchers with basic techniques employed by widely recognized scientists to prepare and maintain the biological components of "in vitro" model systems. The compilation is not intended to be exhaustive but to provide a set of pivotal methods of value to researchers in the field of toxicology. The methods have been organized by organ systems for easy reference. Although "in vitro" studies in isolated organelles are important in toxicological research, these methods have not been included in this volume.
Table of Contents:
Part 1 Neural and neuromuscular systems: hippocampal slices, P.G. Aitken; organotypic neural cultures, F.J. Seil; reaggregate cells for neurotoxicological studies, A. Heller, et al; cytotoxicity in murine neocortical cell culture, K. Rose, et al; cultures of adult trigeminal ganglion neurons, T.K. Baumann; adrenomedullary chromaffin cells - a well-characterized model system for toxicological studies, J. Knoth-Anderson and M.B. Abou-Donia; PC 12 cells, G.E. Isom and J.L. Barowitz. Part 2 Ocular system: corneal epithelial and endothelial cell cultures, M.M. Jumblatt; isolation and culture of retinal epithelium, P. Gouras. Part 3 Respiratory system: isolation and culture of type II alveolar epithelial cells, J.N. Finkelstein; isolation of nonciliated bronchiolar (Clara) epithelial cells from mouse lung, A.M. Malkinson, et al; rat tracheal epithelial cell cultures for studies in toxicology and carcinogenicity, T.E. Gray, et al. Part 4 Cardiovascular system: preparation of primary cultures of postnatal rat myocardial cells for toxicological studies, A.A. Welder and D. Acosta; aortic endothelial and smooth muscle cell cultures, K.S. Ramos and L.R. Cox; vessel cylinders, R.K. Hester and K.S. Ramos. Part 5 Gastro-intestinal system: gastric mucosal cell culture for toxicological study, H. Hiraishi, et al; small intestinal enterocytes, T.Y. Aw, et al; maintenance and characterization of an organ-culture system for colonic mucosa from the rat, K.J. Finney. Part 6 Liver slices: precision-cut rat liver slices in dynamic organ culture for structure-toxicity studies, K. Brendel, et al. Part 7 Hepatocytes: isolation of hepatocytes by collagenase perfusion, P.O. Seglen; preparation of primary monolayer cultures of postnatal rat liver cells for hepatotoxic assessment of xenobiotics, J.C. Davila and D. Acosta; isolation and culture of hepatocytes from different laboratory species, C.A. McQueen; isolation of human hepatocytes by biopsy perfusion methods, K.L. Allen and C.E. Green; human hepatocyte cultures, C. Guguen-Guillouzo and A. Guillouzo. Part 8 Liver - other cell systems: hepatocyte and spleen cell systems, N.E. Kaminski, et al; isolation and culture of hepatic non-parenchymal cells, S.L. Friedman; proliferating lines of rat liver epithelial cells, G.M. Williams and A.M. Bennett; isolation and culture of liver epithelial cells from carcinogen-treated rats, N.L. Thompson and N. Fausto. Part 9 Kidney - proximal tubule fragments: proximal renal tubule preparations isolated from rat or rabbit kidneys without the use of collagenase, K. Brendel, et al; suspension culture of rabbit renal proximal tubules, K.G. Dickman and L. Mandel; perfusion method for isolation of renal proximal tubules from several species, J.E. Dabbs and C.E. Green; isolation and maintenance of milligram quantities of rabbit renal proximal straight and convoluted tubules, C.E. Ruegg and L.J. Mandel. (Part contents).
