Collaborative platform for respiratory route toxicology and exposure to electromagnetic fields
Résumé
INERIS has developed a collaborative platform dedicated to in vivo rodent toxicology, with a focus on method standardization and the development of alternative methods. This state-of-the-art facility of 1000 m2 is composed of mice and rat housing areas and innovative experimental installations, allowing exposure to chemical agents, including nanoparticles, as well as to physical agents, such as electromagnetic fields. Equipments and rooms are dedicated to studies using the respiratory route (nose-only or whole-body exposure). This includes a complete rat inhalation system devoted to exposure to nanoparticles, composed of nose-only exposure chambers, associated metrology for full aerosol characterization, and nanoparticle aerosol generators. In addition, these generators and metrology system can also be associated to an air-liquid interface VitrocellTM system, allowing in vitro/in vivo comparisons or in vitro research of underlying mechanisms. Results from in vitro/in vivo comparison performed with TiO2 nanoparticles will be presented. A separate area of the facility is dedicated to exposure to electromagnetic fields and the assessment of their effects on health. This includes anechoic reverberating chambers allowing controlled metrology and continuous exposure to environmental doses of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. Effects of electromagnetic fields on the central nervous system and on reproduction are investigated. Preliminary work and results will be presented. Aside of these dedicated equipments, standard general toxicity, pulmonary, reproductive and neurologic toxicity of environmental chemicals, can be evaluated, with available complementary ex vivo and in vitro analytical (biochemical analyses, histology, etc.) facilities. This facility is GLP-compliant, and therefore also suitable for regulatory studies.