TOXICITY AND DEVELOPMENTAL GROWTH FACTORS

Toxicity and developmental growth factors play essential roles in cellular signaling and tissue development. These factors, when dysregulated, can lead to developmental issues and toxicity responses, impacting organ development and overall health.

AnyGenes offers qPCR arrays designed for research on toxicity and developmental growth factors, enabling accurate analysis of gene expression changes associated with toxicity responses. These qPCR arrays help researchers profile key signaling pathways involved in developmental regulation, providing insights into potential toxicological effects at the molecular level.

Visualizing Developmental Toxicity Pathways with AnyGenes qPCR Array.

Discover our advanced qPCR arrays for Toxicity and Developmental Growth Factors research.

WHAT IS TOXICITY?

Toxicity refers to the degree of harm a substance can cause to organisms. It can result from exposure to chemicals, pollutants, or pharmaceuticals, leading to adverse health effects that can disrupt normal cellular functions.

Types of toxicity:

Acute Toxicity: Immediate harmful effects following exposure.
Chronic Toxicity: Long-term health issues from prolonged exposure.
Genotoxicity: Damages DNA, leading to mutations and cancer risk, vital in drug safety studies.
Hepatotoxicity: Affects liver health, potentially causing inflammation or liver failure.
Neurotoxicity – Impacts nervous system functions, often linked to metals, pesticides, and drugs.
Reproductive & Developmental Toxicity: Risks birth defects and developmental delays.
Immunotoxicity: Alters immune responses, leading to hypersensitivity or immune suppression.
Pulmonary Toxicity: Harms the respiratory system, often from inhaled pollutants.
Nephrotoxicity: Affects kidney function, risking acute or chronic kidney disease.
Cardiotoxicity: Impacts heart health, causing arrhythmias or potential heart failure.

IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY ON GROWTH FACTOR SIGNALING

Toxicity can significantly disrupt growth factor signaling pathways such as FGF, TGF-β, and IGF, leading to adverse developmental outcomes. Growth factors are crucial for regulating various cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, and survival. When toxic substances interfere with these signaling pathways, they can result in toxicity in growth and development, which encompasses a range of structural and functional abnormalities.

Developmental toxicity: Mechanisms of disruption

Altered Cell Signaling: Toxic agents can overstimulate or inhibit growth factor receptors, leading to aberrant signaling cascades.
Signal Interference: Toxins disrupt intracellular pathways, altering gene expression and cell survival.
Epigenetic Changes: Toxic exposure modifies DNA and histones, impacting gene activity.
Oxidative Stress: Toxins produce ROS, damaging cells and affecting growth signals.
Feedback Disruption: Toxins unbalance feedback loops, hindering tissue development and repair.
Apoptosis Induction: Paradoxically, very high levels of growth factors can trigger apoptosis in sensitive cell types.

REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY

Reproductive toxicity refers to adverse effects on the reproductive system that can impact fertility, pregnancy, fetal development, and offspring health. This type of toxicity can occur through various mechanisms:

Direct Damage to Germ Cells: Chemicals may directly affect sperm or egg cells, leading to mutations or chromosomal abnormalities that can impact fertility and offspring health.
Hormonal Disruption: Many reproductive toxicants interfere with endocrine signaling, leading to hormonal imbalances that can affect ovulation, sperm production, and overall reproductive health.
Oxidative Stress: Certain toxicants can induce oxidative stress, damaging cellular components and impairing reproductive functions. Oxidative stress is known to affect sperm motility and viability as well as oocyte quality.
Developmental Interference: Toxic exposures during critical periods of development can lead to teratogenic effects, resulting in structural malformations or functional deficiencies in offspring. For example, exposure to alcohol during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) characterized by growth deficiencies and neurodevelopmental issues.

TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT ON DEVELOPMENT

Teratogens are agents that can cause birth defects or abnormalities in a developing embryo or fetus upon exposure during pregnancy. The impact of teratogens is highly dependent on several factors such as Timing of Exposure, Dose and Duration, and Genetic Factors.

Mechanisms of teratogenicity

The mechanisms through which teratogens exert their effects include.

Direct Cellular Damage: Some teratogens may directly damage embryonic cells, leading to cell death or abnormal differentiation.
Disruption of Hormonal Signaling: Certain chemicals can interfere with hormonal pathways critical for normal development.
Oxidative Stress: Many teratogens induce oxidative stress, resulting in cellular damage that can disrupt normal developmental processes.

(1) Grandjean P, Landrigan PJ. Neurobehavioural effects of developmental toxicity. Lancet Neurol. (2014);13(3):330-8.

(2) Dugershaw BB, et al. Recent insights on indirect mechanisms in developmental toxicity of nanomaterials. Part Fibre Toxicol. (2020)11;17(1):31.

(3) Luconi M, et al. Human-Based New Approach Methodologies in Developmental Toxicity Testing: A Step Ahead from the State of the Art with a Feto–Placental Organ-on-Chip Platform. Int J Environ Res Public Health. (2022)28;19(23):15828.

(4) Becker RA, et al. Identifying the landscape of developmental toxicity new approach methodologies. Birth Defects Res. (2022)15;114(17):1123-1137.

(5) Reproductive Toxicology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK219110/

(6) Mechanisms of Developmental Toxicity. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK225674/

(7) Developmental Effects of Chemical Contaminants. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK219111/

TOXICITY AND DEVELOPMENTAL GROWTH FACTORS BIOMARKER LIST

Customize your own signaling pathways (SignArrays®) with the factors of your choice!
Simply download and complete our Personalized SignArrays® information file and send it at [email protected] to get started on your project.

You can check the biomarker list included in this pathway, see below :

Species : Homo sapiens (human)

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
Toxicity & Developmental Growth Factors	TDGF1H1	List infos

Species : Mus musculus (mouse)

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
Toxicity & Developmental Growth Factors	*******	List In progress...

Species : Rattus norvegicus (rat)

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
Toxicity & Developmental Growth Factors	*******	List In progress...

Species : Sus Scrofa (Pig)

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
Toxicity & Developmental Growth Factors	*******	List In progress...

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