For INERIS and its partners, the specific aim was to develop alternative tests to those based on experiments on mammals. To this end, a set of methods based on human cell lines and zebrafish embryos was implemented.
Through the thesis work of Chédi Erradhaouni and Florian Geffroy, the Institute has developed a new biological model and an original new bioassay called EMERGE (Effects of Metabolic Endocrine Disruptors in Gut of Zebrafish Embryos), which makes it possible to visualise and quantify the disruptions caused by chemicals on gene expression in the intestines of zebrafish embryos. Using a non-invasive fluorescence imaging technique, INERIS was able to show that the intestine is the target of many chemicals capable of disrupting the expression of a specific gene, cyp3A65. This gene codes for an enzyme in the cytochrome P4503A family, which plays a crucial role in the metabolism of xenobiotics as well as endogenous compounds in fish and humans.
The EMERGE test is the first vertebrate embryo test capable of reporting effects on the intestine. It opens up prospects for progress in the evaluation of substances in human and environmental health and is therefore of interest both scientifically and from a regulatory point of view.
The results of the work presented in the publication illustrate the practical benefits of the research carried out by INERIS as part of the European PARC partnership, but also as part of the national strategy on endocrine disruptors (SNPE), through a programme focusing on monitoring the chemical quality of surface water at national level.
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