proliferation, self-renewal, differentiation (adipogenic and osteogenic lineages), and
in gene expression, which could partly justify the homeostatic imbalance caused and
increased risk of cancer occurrence among the individuals exposed to the chemical
(Amy et al. 2014).
In another study, Tamm and his group demonstrated that primary human embryonic cortical stem cells and C17.2, a neural stem cell line expressed high sensitivity
on exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) at low levels. Their findings indicated the
effects of MeHg on survival, proliferation and differentiation of these cells, offers
new avenues for studying the biological outcomes of low level exposure of this
chemical using highly sensitive and reliable in vitro models (Tamm et al. 2006). In
2009, Buzanska and group (Buzanska et al. 2009) established an umbilical cord
blood derived neural stem cell line and used it for testing the neural development
based toxicity by analyzing parameters such as cellular proliferation, neuronal and
glial differentiation, and apoptosis.
It can be widely accepted that, by employing these stem cell model for extensive
in vitro testing for identifying the significant toxicity mechanisms at the cellular and
molecular levels on human biology, we would be able to eliminate the requirement
of animal testing and would be able to cater decent environment-friendly and healthy
decision-making in future.
12.5 Stem Cells, Environment, and Cancer Risk
One of the key factors in the battle against cancer is understanding and determining
the underlying cause for this devastating disease. The potential target of cancer and
site of occurrence of cancer is usually defined with the help of environmental and
genetic factors (Zhao 2015). Recently, a study by Wu and group has confirmed the
role of environmental factors including ionizing radiations, ultraviolet radiations,
and carcinogens in causing cancer (Wu et al. 2015)
According to their calculations, intrinsic (random errors in DNA replication) risk
can be effectively determined by the lower bound risk accounting for total stem cell
divisions and the internal processes are not adequate to account for the cancer risks
observed. Also, there have been overwhelming scientific evidences which establish
genetic and environmental factors as critical players in the development of cancer
(Zhao 2015).
12.6 Embryonic Stem Cell Test
Embryonic Stem Cell Test uses mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) as model
system to (Seiler et al. 2004; Seiler and Spielmann 2011) test the embryotoxicity of
pharmaceutical compounds in vitro. This technique was pioneered by Horst
Spielmann in 1991. During the initial stages of development of the assay it was
not precise with poor rate of prediction. It was only during 1995–2004 that the
European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) nominated,
258
A. Kumar et al.
in gene expression, which could partly justify the homeostatic imbalance caused and
increased risk of cancer occurrence among the individuals exposed to the chemical
(Amy et al. 2014).
In another study, Tamm and his group demonstrated that primary human embryonic cortical stem cells and C17.2, a neural stem cell line expressed high sensitivity
on exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) at low levels. Their findings indicated the
effects of MeHg on survival, proliferation and differentiation of these cells, offers
new avenues for studying the biological outcomes of low level exposure of this
chemical using highly sensitive and reliable in vitro models (Tamm et al. 2006). In
2009, Buzanska and group (Buzanska et al. 2009) established an umbilical cord
blood derived neural stem cell line and used it for testing the neural development
based toxicity by analyzing parameters such as cellular proliferation, neuronal and
glial differentiation, and apoptosis.
It can be widely accepted that, by employing these stem cell model for extensive
in vitro testing for identifying the significant toxicity mechanisms at the cellular and
molecular levels on human biology, we would be able to eliminate the requirement
of animal testing and would be able to cater decent environment-friendly and healthy
decision-making in future.
12.5 Stem Cells, Environment, and Cancer Risk
One of the key factors in the battle against cancer is understanding and determining
the underlying cause for this devastating disease. The potential target of cancer and
site of occurrence of cancer is usually defined with the help of environmental and
genetic factors (Zhao 2015). Recently, a study by Wu and group has confirmed the
role of environmental factors including ionizing radiations, ultraviolet radiations,
and carcinogens in causing cancer (Wu et al. 2015)
According to their calculations, intrinsic (random errors in DNA replication) risk
can be effectively determined by the lower bound risk accounting for total stem cell
divisions and the internal processes are not adequate to account for the cancer risks
observed. Also, there have been overwhelming scientific evidences which establish
genetic and environmental factors as critical players in the development of cancer
(Zhao 2015).
12.6 Embryonic Stem Cell Test
Embryonic Stem Cell Test uses mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) as model
system to (Seiler et al. 2004; Seiler and Spielmann 2011) test the embryotoxicity of
pharmaceutical compounds in vitro. This technique was pioneered by Horst
Spielmann in 1991. During the initial stages of development of the assay it was
not precise with poor rate of prediction. It was only during 1995–2004 that the
European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) nominated,
258
A. Kumar et al.