Systems toxicology assessment of a representative e-liquid formulation using human primary bronchial epithelial cells
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ABSTRACT: The development of reduced-risk products is aimed at providing adult smokers, who are unable to quit, with alternatives to cigarettes that present less risk of harm and smoking-related disease. The use of flavors in the development of these reduced-risk products fulfils an important role in product acceptance. While most flavors are also used by the food industry and are considered safe when ingested, their impact when inhaled is still debated. To overcome this research gap, we developed a three-step approach combining real-time cellular analysis, phenotypic high-content screening assays and gene expression analysis. As a case study, a list of 28 flavors, commonly used in e-liquid formulation, were selected and dissolved individually or as a mixture in a Base Solution composed of propylene glycol, vegetable glycol, and 0.6% nicotine. Various dilutions of these mixtures were assessed in normal human bronchial epithelial cells. Using a real-time impedance-based assay, a Tox-Score corresponding to the ratio of the Base Solution EC50 over flavored solution EC50 was determined for each tested e-liquid. We complemented the e-liquid evaluation by computing a Phenotypic-Score that recapitulates the exposure effects measured using a battery of high-content screening endpoints. Using a systems toxicology approach, we also identified and quantified perturbed molecular pathways impacted specifically by the Base Solution or by the 28-flavor mixture. To conclude, employing a three-pillar based approaches to investigate the effects of flavored solutions in vitro, we were in a position to identify individual flavors that appeared to have the potential to contribute greatly to the overall mixture effect (citronellol and alpha-pinene). Finally, by assessing modified mixtures we showed that, although cytotoxic effect where found when assessed individually, alpha-pinene was not contributing to the overall mixture cytotoxicity. Most of the cytotoxic effect appeared to mainly derive by the presence of citronellol and remaining flavors were still contributing due to synergistic effects.
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
SUBMITTER: Carole Mathis
PROVIDER: E-MTAB-7748 | biostudies-arrayexpress |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress
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