Skin Sensitization:  Skin Sensitization Assessment Options for Lipophilic Compounds, Mixtures and Polymers

The project will focus on the development of test options for compounds that outside of the applicability domain for accepted OCED assays (e.g., lipophilic compounds, polymers, mixtures). Therefore, the objective of this project is to develop a 3D reporter skin to transfer the concept of Nrf2 signaling pathway induction as used in accepted OECD assays covering KE 2 of the AOP for skin sensitization to challenging compounds. The envisaged model aims to:

1. Enable the assessment of skin sensitization AOP KE2 for challenging compounds
2. Integrate important skin characteristics like skin barrier, metabolism etc. that enable In Vivo -like testing conditions
3. Simultaneously analyze different read-outs at different time-points to gain comprehensive information potentially relevant for potency estimation. Results could prove valuable for all cosmetic ingredients
4. Provide cost-efficient alternative to existing commercial skin model-based testing options by developing own skin models and combining several read-outs
5. Allow a definitive risk assessment of challenging compounds instead of applying minimal release concentrations due to worst case scenario assumptions required in case of no testing options