Evaluate Chemical Toxicity Using 'Mulgogi Ingongan'

Development of Toxicity Evaluation Techniques Based on Artificial Organs
Proposal for Standardization of Environmental Risk Assessment
Development of 3D Cell-Customized Scaffolds
Establishment of Animal Alternative Environmental Toxicity Evaluation Methods

Zebrafish

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] An artificial liver for Zebrafish has been developed. Zebrafish share 90% of their genes with humans, making them useful for evaluating whether new chemicals or cosmetics are toxic to our bodies or the environment. However, recently, as Zebrafish have been classified as vertebrates, ethical issues regarding animal testing have arisen. It is expected that using artificial livers can help resolve these issues.

The research team led by Yongjun Kim, head of the Environmental Safety Research Division at the KIST Europe Institute, the German branch of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, announced on the 15th that they developed a method to replace animal testing by culturing organoids mimicking the liver of Zebrafish in collaboration with Professor Hyunjoon Kong’s team at the University of Illinois, USA. The research results were introduced in the latest issue of the international journal Environmental Science & Technology.

Development of Artificial Liver for Zebrafish

Changes in the Support Material Using Polyethylene Glycol

This study is significant in that it developed an artificial liver of Zebrafish that can be used in actual animal testing. Although Zebrafish organoids existed before, tissues capable of producing high concentrations of vitellogenin, an indicator substance, were needed for use in animal testing. The research team used polyethylene glycol to create a scaffold for the organoids to culture Zebrafish liver cells. As a result, they confirmed that Zebrafish liver cells self-assembled and maintained their shape for 28 days.

The team developed an artificial liver organoid of Zebrafish for chronic toxicity testing that can assess long-term effects for over six weeks using this culturing method. This method allows for results similar to those obtained from direct testing on Zebrafish without using the actual fish.

In particular, by utilizing the 3D biomimetic system of Zebrafish liver cells developed by the team, the long-term effects of endocrine-disrupting substances on the environment can be evaluated in a short period.

Analysis of the Impact of Various Endocrine-Disrupting Substances on the Environment Possible

Support Matrix Composition to Promote Long-term Culture and Physiological Activity of Zebrafish Hepatocytes

Yongjun Kim, head of the joint research team, stated, "Our short-term goal is to secure global-level technology for toxicity evaluation based on animal alternative testing methods and establish a foundation for domestic technology transfer." He added, "We will focus on developing a toxicity signaling system that can analyze the impact of various endocrine-disrupting substances on the environment and create new alternative testing methods in the field of environmental toxicity."

Junkyung Kim, director of the KIST Europe Institute, said, "Since 2018, the KIST Europe Institute has concentrated on developing a framework for the toxicity expression pathways of endocrine-disrupting substances within ecosystems by consolidating accumulated research experience in environmental safety." He added, "Based on our capabilities in toxicity evaluation and animal alternative testing methods, we will strive to support the development of safety and health technologies that resonate with the public."

Changes in Biomarker Expression According to Cell Scaffolds

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