Morphologic Features and Deep Learning-Based Analysis of Canine Spermatogenic Stages.

In nonclinical toxicity studies, stage-aware evaluation is often expected to assess drug-induced testicular toxicity. Although stage-aware evaluation does not require identification of specific stages, it is important to understand microscopic features of spermatogenic staging. Staging of the spermatogenic cycle in dogs is a challenging and time-consuming process. In this study, we first defined morphologic features for the eight spermatogenic stages in standard histology sections (H&E slides) of dog testes. For image analysis, we defined the key morphologic features of five stages/pooled stage groups (I-II, III-IV, V, VI-VII, and VIII). These criteria were used to develop a deep learning (DL) algorithm for staging of the spermatogenic cycle of control dog testes using whole slide images. In addition, a DL-based nucleus segmentation model was trained to detect and quantify the number of different germ cells, including spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids. Identification of spermatogenic stages and quantification of germ cell populations were successfully automated by the DL models. Combining these two algorithms provided color-coding visual spermatogenic staging and quantitative information on germ cell populations at specific stages that would facilitate the stage-aware evaluation and detection of changes in germ cell populations in nonclinical toxicity studies.

Small RNA Sequencing to Discover Circulating MicroRNA Biomarkers of Testicular Toxicity in Dogs.

Predictive indicators of testicular toxicity could improve drug development by allowing early in-life screening for this adverse effect before it becomes severe. We hypothesized that circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) could serve as testicular toxicity biomarkers in dogs. Herein, we describe the results of an exploratory study conducted to discover biomarkers of drug-induced testicular injury. Following a dose-selection study using the testicular toxicant ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME), we chose a dose of 50 mg/kg/d EGME to avoid systemic toxicity and treated 2 groups of dogs (castrated, non-castrated) for 14 to 28 days. Castrated animals were used as negative controls to identify biomarkers specific for testicular toxicity because EGME can cause toxicity to organ systems in addition to the testis. Blood was collected daily during the dosing period, followed by recovery for 29 to 43 days with less frequent sampling. Dosing was well tolerated, resulting in mild-to-moderate degeneration in testes and epididymides. Global profiling of serum miRNAs at selected dosing and recovery time points was completed by small RNA sequencing. Bioinformatics data analysis using linear modeling demonstrated several circulating miRNAs that were differentially abundant during the dosing period compared with baseline and/or castrated control samples. Confirmatory reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction data in these animals was unable to detect sustained alterations of miRNAs in serum, except for 1 potential candidate cfa-miR-146b. Taken together, we report the results of a comprehensive exploratory study and suggest future directions for follow-up research to address the challenge of developing diagnostic biomarkers of testicular toxicity.

Effects of a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), GSK2849466A, on stress urinary incontinence and bladder activity in rats with ovariectomy-induced oestrogen deficiency.

OBJECTIVES: To report the effect of a selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) on the urethral continence mechanisms in a rat model of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) induced by bilateral ovariectomy (OVX). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats with bilateral OVX were used. Rats were divided into five groups; sham operated, vehicle-treated OVX, low-dose SARM-treated OVX (GSK2849466A: 0.005 mg/kg/day, per os [p.o.]), high-dose SARM-treated OVX (GSK2849466A: 0.03 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-treated OVX (1 mg/kg/day, subcutaneous) groups. After 4 weeks of SARM treatments or 3 weeks of DHT treatment (6 weeks after OVX), rats were subjected to evaluation of the sneeze-induced continence reflex using microtransducer-tipped catheter methods, sneeze-induced leak-point pressure, and continuous cystometry measurements, followed by histological analyses of urethral tissues. RESULTS: (i) OVX significantly impaired urethral continence function after 6 weeks to induce SUI during sneezing. (ii) Low-dose SARM treatment restored urethral baseline pressure (UBP) without affecting the amplitude of urethral response during sneezing (A-URS), partially reversing OVX-induced SUI during sneezing. (iii) High-dose SARM treatment reversed decreases in both UBP and A-URS, more effectively preventing SUI during sneezing. (iv) DHT treatment only restored A-URS without affecting UBP, partially preventing OVX-induced SUI during sneezing. (v) The high-dose SARM treatment induced hypertrophy of the striated and smooth muscle around the urethra. (vi) SARM treatment did not affect bladder function in sham or OVX rats. CONCLUSION: Treatment with SARMs could be a more effective modality for the treatment of SUI than DHT, without affecting bladder function, by enhancing smooth- and striated muscle-mediated urethral function under stress conditions such as sneezing.

Nonproliferative and Proliferative Lesions of the Rat and Mouse Endocrine System.

The INHAND (International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria for Lesions in Rats and Mice) Project (www.toxpath.org/inhand.asp) is a joint initiative among the Societies of Toxicological Pathology from Europe (ESTP), Great Britain (BSTP), Japan (JSTP) and North America (STP) to develop an internationally accepted nomenclature for proliferative and nonproliferative lesions in laboratory animals. The purpose of this publication is to provide a standardized nomenclature for classifying microscopic lesions observed in the endocrine organs (pituitary gland, pineal gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands and pancreatic islets) of laboratory rats and mice, with color photomicrographs illustrating examples of the lesions. The standardized nomenclature presented in this document is also available electronically on the internet (http://www.goreni.org/). Sources of material included histopathology databases from government, academia, and industrial laboratories throughout the world. Content includes spontaneous and aging lesions as well as lesions induced by exposure to test materials. A widely accepted and utilized international harmonization of nomenclature for endocrine lesions in laboratory animals will decrease confusion among regulatory and scientific research organizations in different countries and provide a common language to increase and enrich international exchanges of information among toxicologists and pathologists.

Selective inhibition of integrin αvß6 leads to rapid induction of urinary bladder tumors in cynomolgus macaques.

Administration of a novel and selective small molecule integrin αvß6 inhibitor, MORF-627, to young cynomolgus monkeys for 28 days resulted in the rapid induction of epithelial proliferative changes in the urinary bladder of 2 animals, in the absence of test agent genotoxicity. Microscopic findings included suburothelial infiltration by irregular nests and/or trabeculae of epithelial cells, variable cytologic atypia, and high mitotic rate, without invasion into the tunica muscularis. Morphologic features and patterns of tumor growth were consistent with a diagnosis of early-stage invasive urothelial carcinoma. Ki67 immunohistochemistry demonstrated diffusely increased epithelial proliferation in the urinary bladder of several monkeys, including those with tumors, and αvß6 was expressed in some epithelial tissues, including urinary bladder, in monkeys and humans. Spontaneous urothelial carcinomas are extremely unusual in young healthy monkeys, suggesting a direct link of the finding to the test agent. Inhibition of integrin αvß6 is intended to locally and selectively block transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) signaling, which is implicated in epithelial proliferative disorders. Subsequent in vitro studies using a panel of integrin αvß6 inhibitors in human bladder epithelial cells replicated the increased urothelial proliferation observed in monkeys and was reversed through exogenous application of TGF-ß. Moreover, analysis of in vivo models of liver and lung fibrosis revealed evidence of epithelial hyperplasia and cell cycle dysregulation in mice treated with integrin αvß6 or TGF-ß receptor I inhibitors. The cumulative evidence suggests a direct link between integrin αvß6 inhibition and decreased TGF-ß signaling in the local bladder environment, with implications for epithelial proliferation and carcinogenesis.

Immune complex disease in a chronic monkey study with a humanised, therapeutic antibody against CCL20 is associated with complement-containing drug aggregates.

Despite the potential for the chemokine class as therapeutic targets in immune mediated disease, success has been limited. Many chemokines can bind to multiple receptors and many receptors have multiple ligands, with few exceptions. One of those exceptions is CCL20, which exclusively pairs to CCR6 and is associated with several immunologic conditions, thus providing a promising therapeutic target. Following successful evaluation in a single dose, first time in human clinical study, GSK3050002-a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody against human CCL20-was evaluated in a 26-week cynomolgus monkey toxicology study. A high incidence of unexpected vascular and organ inflammation was observed microscopically, leading to the decision to halt clinical development. Here we report a dose-responsive increase in the incidence and severity of inflammation in multiple organs from monkeys receiving 30 and 300 mg/kg/week by either subcutaneous or intravenous injection. Histomorphological changes resembled an immune complex-mediated pathology, which is often due to formation of anti-drug antibodies in monkeys receiving a human protein therapeutic and thus not predictive of clinical outcome. However, the presentation was atypical in that there was a clear dose response with a very high incidence of inflammation with a low incidence of ADA that did not correlate well individually. Additionally, the immunohistologic presentation was atypical in that the severity and distribution of tissue inflammation was greater than the numbers of associated immune complexes (i.e., granular deposits). An extensive ex vivo analysis of large molecular weight protein complexes in monkey serum from this study and in human serum samples demonstrated a time-dependent aggregation of GSK3050002, that was not predicted by in vitro assays. The aggregates also contained complement components. These findings support the hypothesis that immune complexes of drug aggregates, not necessarily including anti-drug antibodies, can fix complement, accumulate over time, and trigger immune complex disease. A situation which may have increased clinical relevance than typical anti-drug antibody-associated immune complex disease in monkeys administered human antibody proteins.

Eosinophilic inclusions in rat Clara cells and the effect of an inhaled corticosteroid.

Large eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions (ECIs) are occasionally seen in untreated rat Clara cells. Following inhalation exposure to a corticosteroid, the number of ECIs was increased. This is the first histopathological description of rat ECIs and attempted characterization by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and electron microscopy. ECIs were strongly positive for surfactant protein D (SP-D) and weakly positive for Clara cell specific protein (CCSP). Clara cell cytoplasm was positive for CCSP mRNA regardless of ECIs, but not within ECIs. Corticosteroid treatment and ECI presence did not affect the immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization staining intensities. Electron microscopy revealed large intracytoplasmic granules with an irregular limiting membrane. The ECI number was microscopically quantified in rats from three-, six-, and twenty-four-month studies. The mean ECI counts in treated rats increased from three- to fifty-four-fold with a positive dose-related trend, when compared with vehicle controls. Although the mechanism is unclear, SP-D and to a lesser extent CCSP accumulate in the ECIs. As human bronchial epithelium does not appear to contain structures analogous to the ECI, it is suggested that the observation of an increased number of ECIs in the treated rats is not likely to be relevant for human clinical risk assessment.