Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZIIn vitro pharmacology
Cell and tissue technologies – Substance characterisation in vitro (GLP / non-GLP)
Permanent and primary cell models
The working group has long-standing expertise in experimental research using permanent mammalian cell lines and primary cultures of the central nervous system. Work under safety level 2 conditions is possible.
Toxicity
Cytotoxic and proliferative effects of new drugs are examined on permanent mammalian cell lines. >100 different mammalian cell lines are available for this. Because of their overarching importance for the metabolisation of drugs, toxicity is, e.g., tested on permanent human hepatocytes.
Toxicity testing of 2 compounds (A and B) on a human hepatocyte cell line.
Transcellular transport
To assess the bio-availability in animal models, a cell-culture assay is available to study the transport of small molecules via an epithelial barrier. The cell model used consists of CaCo-2 cells, epithelial cells of a human colorectal adenocarcinoma. The analysis is carried out using LC-MS. The established apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) can be used to assess bio-availability.
Apparent permeability coefficient of selected compounds and active ingredients.