Chapter 33 - Mammalian cell culture models

Abstract

In vitro cell culture approaches are an indispensable tool for mechanistic toxicology because they provide a means to simplify complex systems. This facilitates direct manipulation of cells and allows optical, biochemical, and genetic observations that are not possible in vivo. This chapter will focus on the use of mammalian cell culture models in the field of toxicology. It is intended as a beginning reference for newcomers to the topic and present basic principles that one need to understand regardless of the exact cell culture model that they might utilize. Specifically it will start with a brief discussion of the basic laboratory setup and cell culture terminology, discuss good cell culture practices, and then discuss the differences between cell culture models and their advantages and disadvantages. The chapter will end with some brief case studies using different types of cell cultures to address toxicological problems.