Teratological research using in vitro systems. IV. Cells in culture.

Several in vitro cellular systems designed to screen agents for teratogenic potential are described in this report. These assays were selected from a review of literature published through the spring of 1986 that generated over 100 references on teratological research using cell-based systems. Some of the assays have a broader application than others, but most require confirmation by one or more additional complementary tests because of the specificity of the teratogenic mechanism the assays are investigating. Included are systems that use analysis of tumor cell attachment; intercellular communication; growth of human embryonic palatal mesenchyme cells; progesterone production in porcine granulosa cells; differentiation of embryonic neural crest, limb bud, midbrain, and Drosophila cells; and differentiation of tumor cells. Because of the dynamic nature of cell culture work, the group of assays listed here should not be viewed as encompassing all cell systems of value with regard to teratogenicity testing; instead, the list represents several of the more prominent systems now being evaluated by the scientific community.