Biopta investigates inflammatory processes using healthy and inflamed human tissues. Tissues available include the full human gastrointestinal tract (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis), skin, lung and blood vessels.
Our human tissue culture systems (often known as “organoculture”) use intact fresh tissues in rapid-throughput experiments to provide information on pro- or anti-inflammatory effects of test compounds.
The tests can be used to measure alterations in:
- Cytokine release
- Changes in cell type within the tissue
- Proliferation e.g. keratinocyte proliferation in psoriasis
- Gene expression profiles
Inflammation affects many tissues and is increasingly being revealed as a causative factor in a number of chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis.
Examples of areas where Biopta has applied its technology:
- Dermatology
- Psoriasis: keratinocyte proliferation and cytokine production
- Atopic dermatitis: cytokine production
- GI
- Cytokine production in inflammatory bowel disease
- Respiratory
The figure above shows the effects of topically applied creams in explant cultures of human full thickness skin. LPS induces an inflammatory response which can be reversed by the application of steroid creams.