OECD 487: In Vitro Mammalian Cell Micronucleus Test
The in vitro mammalian cell micronucleus test (MNvit assay) is a method that uses cultured human or rodent cells. It provides a comprehensive basis for investigating chromosome damaging potential in vitro because both aneugens and clastogens can be detected. The test will be performed with the actin polymerisation inhibitor cytochalasin B (Cyto B). The study design follows the current OECD 487 guideline “In Vitro Mammalian Cell Micronucleus Test”. The assay can be performed in accordance with Good Laboratory Practices.
Nucro-Technics typically conducts this test in cultured Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) Cells and human peripheral blood lymphocytes. This is one of the tests which can be used as part of the ICH S2(R1) Guideline on Genotoxicity Testing and Data Interpretation for Pharmaceuticals Intended for Human Use / FDA Battery.
A preliminary toxicity test may be performed to help design the concentrations. In the main experiment (short treatment), three analyzable concentrations in duplicate flasks are designed. Cells are exposed to the test article with and without exogenous drug-metabolic enzymes from liver (S9 fraction). Positive control cultures will be treated with the clastogen Cyclophosphamide (presence of S9) and the aneugen Colchicine (absence of S9). Negative control cultures will be treated with vehicle. Cultures are treated for three hours, rinsed with buffered saline and incubated for a total of 18 hours (approximately 1.5 times a normal cell cycle). At an appropriate time, cells receive Cyto B to allow for the identification and selective analysis of micronucleus frequency in cells that have completed one mitosis (binucleated cells). Slides are prepared for analysis and coded. Cytokinesis-Block Proliferation Index is determined to assess cell proliferation using at least 500 cells per culture. At least 4000 bi-nucleated cells from each concentration (2000 cells from each of the duplicates) are examined.
A positive response shows a concentration-related increase or a reproducible increase in the number of cells containing micronuclei over that of the solvent controls. Positive results indicate that the test article induces micronuclei in the cultured cells. A negative response presents no statistically significant increase in the percentage of cells with micronuclei. Negative results indicate that, under the test conditions, the test article does not induce micronuclei in the cultured cells. In the case of a negative result, a confirmatory experiment is required. In the confirmatory assay, cells are exposed for 18 hours to the test article without exogenous drug-metabolic enzymes. A positive result will not usually need confirmation.