Poster, SOT 65th Annual Meeting and ToxExpo, March 22–25, 2026, in San Diego, California.
F.C. Passoni1, F. Liviero2, G. Melzi1, E. Corsini1, M. Marinovich1, and V. Galbiati1
1 Universita Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy;
2 Universita’ Di Padova, Padova, Italy
Introduction
Occupational allergic asthma remains a significant global health challenge, yet identifying the specific biological “switches” that trigger it has been difficult.
New research led by the University of Milan utilizes advanced human-relevant methodologies to identify how microRNAs (miRNAs) govern the respiratory response to industrial chemicals. Using the VITROCELL® Cloud Alpha technology, researchers were able to simulate the inhalation of sensitizers in a controlled laboratory environment using the Calu-3 ALI model.
This setup allowed for the precise observation of how miRNAs like miR-18b-5p and let-7a-5p act as gatekeepers for inflammation and oxidative stress.
This human cell-based approach not only aligns with the global shift toward animal-free testing (NAMs) but also provides a more accurate tool for predicting the safety and risk of chemicals in the workplace.
