The Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay in Nanotoxicological Research-An Alternative for In Vivo Experimentation.

Christoph R Buhr,Jonas Eckrich,Rachel C Tanner,Nadine Wiesmann,Jürgen Brieger

doi:10.3390/nano10122328

Abstract

Nanomaterials unveil many applicational possibilities for technical and medical purposes, which range from imaging techniques to the use as drug carriers. Prior to any human application, analysis of undesired effects and characterization of their toxicological profile is mandatory. To address this topic, animal models, and rodent models in particular, are most frequently used. However, as the reproducibility and transferability to the human organism of animal experimental data is increasingly questioned and the awareness of animal welfare in society increases at the same time, methodological alternatives are urgently required. The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay is an increasingly popular in ovo experimental organism suitable for replacement of rodent experimentation. In this review, we outline several application fields for the CAM assay in the field of nanotoxicology. Furthermore, analytical methods applicable with this model were evaluated in detail. We further discuss ethical, financial, and bureaucratic aspects and benchmark the assay with other established in vivo models such as rodents.

Highlights

Nanomaterials have become an integral part of everyday life in the 21st century, which is reflected in an growing number of consumer products containing nanomaterials and an increasing number of publications dealing with nanotechnology [1]
We outline several application fields for the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay in the field of nanotoxicology
As the CAM has a dense vascular network extending during development, the impact of nanoparticles on angiogenesis and vasculogenesis can be observed in detail [58]

Summary

Introduction

Nanomaterials have become an integral part of everyday life in the 21st century, which is reflected in an growing number of consumer products containing nanomaterials and an increasing number of publications dealing with nanotechnology [1]. Toxicological profiles (lethality, application ways, circulation kinetics or biodistribution) of nanoparticulate substances for many types of nanoparticles have not been elucidated yet. According to Graham et al 2019 “the dose response relationship is complicated by the physicochemical transformations in the nanoparticles induced by the biological system producing an altered response” [6]. Due to their small size nanoparticles are able to enter organ structures which are usually not exposed to bulk materials [7]. An inverse relationship between size and toxicity of nanoparticles is discussed [7,10]. The shape of nanoparticles can influence their toxicity and toxicokinetic [11,12]

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion