The MCRA toolbox of models and data to support chemical mixture risk assessment.

A model and data toolbox is presented to assess risks from combined exposure to multiple chemicals using probabilistic methods. The Monte Carlo Risk Assessment (MCRA) toolbox, also known as the EuroMix toolbox, has more than 40 modules addressing all areas of risk assessment, and includes a data repository with data collected in the EuroMix project. This paper gives an introduction to the toolbox and illustrates its use with examples from the EuroMix project. The toolbox can be used for hazard identification, hazard characterisation, exposure assessment and risk characterisation. Examples for hazard identification are selection of substances relevant for a specific adverse outcome based on adverse outcome pathways and QSAR models. Examples for hazard characterisation are calculation of benchmark doses and relative potency factors with uncertainty from dose response data, and use of kinetic models to perform in vitro to in vivo extrapolation. Examples for exposure assessment are assessing cumulative exposure at external or internal level, where the latter option is needed when dietary and non-dietary routes have to be aggregated. Finally, risk characterisation is illustrated by calculation and display of the margin of exposure for single substances and for the cumulation, including uncertainties derived from exposure and hazard characterisation estimates.

Calcium Imaging of GPCR Activation Using Arrays of Reverse Transfected HEK293 Cells in a Microfluidic System.

Reverse-transfected cell arrays in microfluidic systems have great potential to perform large-scale parallel screening of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activation. Here, we report the preparation of a novel platform using reverse transfection of HEK293 cells, imaging by stereo-fluorescence microscopy in a flowcell format, real-time monitoring of cytosolic calcium ion fluctuations using the fluorescent protein Cameleon and analysis of GPCR responses to sequential sample exposures. To determine the relationship between DNA concentration and gene expression, we analyzed cell arrays made with variable concentrations of plasmid DNA encoding fluorescent proteins and the Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor. We observed pronounced effects on gene expression of both the specific and total DNA concentration. Reverse transfected spots with NK1 plasmid DNA at 1% of total DNA still resulted in detectable NK1 activation when exposed to its ligand. By varying the GPCR DNA concentration in reverse transfection, the sensitivity and robustness of the receptor response for sequential sample exposures was optimized. An injection series is shown for an array containing the NK1 receptor, bitter receptor TAS2R8 and controls. Both receptors were exposed 14 times to alternating samples of two ligands. Specific responses remained reproducible. This platform introduces new opportunities for high throughput screening of GPCR libraries.