| Changes in the Dynamic Behavior of Cells as a Measure of Toxicity |
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Presentation: 5A03 Session: New Approaches to ADME/Tox - Part 2Timo Ylikomi, T. Toimela, and H. Tähti, University of Tampere Presenting Author: Timo Ylikomi, University of Tampere - Finland In vitro cell toxicity studies are required as part of the early phase assessment of the safety of drug candidates. A change in the dynamic behavior of cells or in cell morphology is a powerful indicator of cellular responses which current methods cannot measure. Here we have studied the possibility of using a machine vision technology to follow and automatically analyze changes in the dynamic behavior of living cells during exposure to test compounds. We demonstrated several different patterns of cellular death dynamics that could be used to profile compounds. We also noted that a decrease in cell migration and changes in cell morphology (e.g. the surface area of neurites, appearance of cytoplasmic vacuoles) are more sensitive indicators of cell toxicity than end points such as total ATP. Thus, the machine vision technology permits simultaneous analysis of multiple parameters in a cell population without the use of labels or assay kits. The technology permits novel and sensitive ways of profiling compounds based on their effects on cell behavior and morphology. |