@article{breen_breen_terasaki_yamazaki_lloyd_conolly_2011, title={Mechanistic Computational Model of Steroidogenesis in H295R Cells: Role of Oxysterols and Cell Proliferation to Improve Predictability of Biochemical Response to Endocrine Active Chemical-Metyrapone}, volume={123}, ISSN={["1096-6080"]}, DOI={10.1093/toxsci/kfr167}, abstractNote={The human adrenocortical carcinoma cell line H295R is being used as an in vitro steroidogenesis screening assay to assess the impact of endocrine active chemicals (EACs) capable of altering steroid biosynthesis. To enhance the interpretation and quantitative application of measurement data in risk assessments, we are developing a mechanistic computational model of adrenal steroidogenesis in H295R cells to predict the synthesis of steroids from cholesterol (CHOL) and their biochemical response to EACs. We previously developed a deterministic model that describes the biosynthetic pathways for the conversion of CHOL to steroids and the kinetics for enzyme inhibition by the EAC, metyrapone (MET). In this study, we extended our dynamic model by (1) including a cell proliferation model supported by additional experiments and (2) adding a pathway for the biosynthesis of oxysterols (OXY), which are endogenous products of CHOL not linked to steroidogenesis. The cell proliferation model predictions closely matched the time-course measurements of the number of viable H295R cells. The extended steroidogenesis model estimates closely correspond to the measured time-course concentrations of CHOL and 14 adrenal steroids both in the cells and in the medium and the calculated time-course concentrations of OXY from control and MET-exposed cells. Our study demonstrates the improvement of the extended, more biologically realistic model to predict CHOL and steroid concentrations in H295R cells and medium and their dynamic biochemical response to the EAC, MET. This mechanistic modeling capability could help define mechanisms of action for poorly characterized chemicals for predictive risk assessments.}, number={1}, journal={TOXICOLOGICAL SCIENCES}, author={Breen, Miyuki and Breen, Michael S. and Terasaki, Natsuko and Yamazaki, Makoto and Lloyd, Alun L. and Conolly, Rory B.}, year={2011}, month={Sep}, pages={80–93} }
 @article{breen_villeneuve_breen_ankley_conolly_2007, title={Mechanistic computational model of ovarian steroidogenesis to predict biochemical responses to endocrine active compounds}, volume={35}, ISSN={["1573-9686"]}, DOI={10.1007/s10439-007-9309-7}, abstractNote={Sex steroids, which have an important role in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes, are synthesized primarily in the gonads and adrenal glands through a series of enzyme-mediated reactions. The activity of steroidogenic enzymes can be altered by a variety of endocrine active compounds (EAC), some of which are therapeutics and others that are environmental contaminants. A steady-state computational model of the intraovarian metabolic network was developed to predict the synthesis and secretion of testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2), and their responses to EAC. Model predictions were compared to data from an in vitro steroidogenesis assay with ovary explants from a small fish model, the fathead minnow. Model parameters were estimated using an iterative optimization algorithm. Model-predicted concentrations of T and E2 closely correspond to the time-course data from baseline (control) experiments, and dose-response data from experiments with the EAC, fadrozole (FAD). A sensitivity analysis of the model parameters identified specific transport and metabolic processes that most influence the concentrations of T and E2, which included uptake of cholesterol into the ovary, secretion of androstenedione (AD) from the ovary, and conversions of AD to T, and AD to estrone (E1). The sensitivity analysis also indicated the E1 pathway as the preferred pathway for E2 synthesis, as compared to the T pathway. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of using the steroidogenesis model to predict T and E2 concentrations, in vitro, while reducing model complexity with a steady-state assumption. This capability could be useful for pharmaceutical development and environmental health assessments with EAC.}, number={6}, journal={ANNALS OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING}, author={Breen, Michael S. and Villeneuve, Daniel L. and Breen, Miyuki and Ankley, Gerald T. and Conolly, Rory B.}, year={2007}, month={Jun}, pages={970–981} }