In the first of three sections of this book, an overview of in vitro toxicology is provided. The molecular biology of cellular toxicity, receptor-mediated mechanisms, structure-activity relationships, pharmacokinetic modeling, and the use of biosensors in toxicological studies are treated in detail. The second section covers some of the very important aspects that allow the analysis of the mechanisms of toxicity, e.g. intercellular communication and signal processing, the cytoskeleton, apoptosis, and free radical mediated toxicity. The last section presents in vitro studies on hepatotoxicity, dermal toxicity, immunotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and respiratory toxicity.

Modern Methods in Toxicology

Modulation of Cellular Responses in Toxicity
Molecular Biology Approaches to Cell Toxicology
Receptor Mediated Toxicity: the Dioxin Receptor as an Example of Biological Complexity and Experimental Approaches
Perspectives on the Use of Structure-Activity Expert Systems in Toxicology
Structural Features Contributing to Biodegradability
Pharmacokinetic Considerations in the Toxicologic Evaluation of Xenobiotics
Biosensors in Pharmacology and Toxicology in Vitro
Milestones in Cell Toxicology
Networks of Intercellular Communication: Eicosanoids and Cytokines as Mediators of the Response of Skin to Toxicity
The Network of Intracellular Signal Processing as a Main Site of Cellular Responses in Toxicity
Actin Involvement in Cell Toxicity
Cell Death by Apoptosis: Morphological, Genetic and Biochemical Features and Toxicological Implications
Free Radical Mediated Toxicity of Drugs of Abuse
Target Organ Toxicity
Alternatives in Testing for Hepatotoxicity
In Vitro Skin Irritation Assays: Relevance to Human Skin
In Vitro Responses to Immunotoxicants
Nephrotoxicity
Neurotoxicity in Vitro - Cultured Neuronal Cell Lines and Electrophysiological Approach
In Vitro Toxicology of the Respiratory System.