Pathogen Screening of Biological Materials in Laboratory Animals (IACUC)
Administration of human or animal tissues (e.g., tumors, cell lines) or other biological materials into animals, especially rodents, is a common research practice. In keeping with the principles of the 3Rs to maximize information gathered per animal/experiment, animals and biological materials (including cell lines) are often shared and sent between investigators within and between institutions. Ensuring pathogen-free animals and biological samples greatly facilitates and strengthens the validity of this collaborative research. Screening is required to confirm the absence of contaminating pathogens to safeguard human and animal health, to avoid confounding research results, and to maintain facility/vivarium pathogen status.
The BU IACUC work together to assure human and animal health. Any biological materials of human origin require handling at the BSL-2 level (including animal housing at ABSL-2 containment) and observation of standard operating procedures for universal precautions and blood-borne pathogens. Therefore, testing cell lines of human origin for human pathogens is NOT required.
Policy
Principal investigators (PIs) are responsible for testing all cell and biological materials before use, and retesting is required every five years. CRL’s Mouse/Rat Comprehensive PCR panel (listed below) is the panel of choice and negative results must be approved by ASC before biological materials are administered. Instructions for submission and panel details are described in ASC’s SOP VET-12: Cell Line Testing.
The use of biological materials must be listed in each IACUC protocol, and an IBC application must be made if the materials originate from a human, nonhuman primate, or if they have undergone recombinant DNA manipulation.
Biological materials that are exempt from surveillance include the following:
- Transplantable tumors, cell lines, antibodies, viruses or viral vectors which have been synthesized or collected AND passaged or maintained without any exposure to murine cell lines, media or tissues.
- Rodent cells harvested from within a Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) BU ASC rodent colony and used for single administration.
Background
Murine viruses have been shown to be transmitted both by cell culture products/additives and by the cells themselves. Surveillance testing is recommended prior to the addition of media, and it is strongly recommended to only use cell culture media products that have been verified to be pathogen-free. Selecting high-quality products for cell culture and using reliable suppliers that have undergone appropriate quality control testing are two strategies used to mitigate the introduction of adventitious agents.
Common cell line contaminants that may present a risk to rodent colony health and research outcomes include Mycoplasma spp and rodent viruses, such as MHV, MVM, LCMV, LDHV. Repeat testing is required every five years as long as SPF measures are maintained by the PI; if compromised then immediate testing is strongly recommended.
References
Bootz, F., Sieber, I., Popovic, D., Tischhauser, M., & Homberger, F. R. (2003). Comparison of the sensitivity of in vivo antibody production tests with in vitro PCR-based methods to detect infectious contamination of biological materials. Laboratory animals, 37(4), 341–351. https://doi.org/10.1258/002367703103051895
Davis JM (2011) Animal Cell Culture: Essential Methods. Wiley-Blackwell, John Wiley & Sons: Chichester, UK. doi:10.1002/9780470669815.
Nicklas, W., Kraft, V., & Meyer, B. (1993). Contamination of transplantable tumors, cell lines, and monoclonal antibodies with rodent viruses. Laboratory animal science, 43(4), 296–300.
Pritchett-Corning KR, JC Cosentino, CB Clifford. Contemporary prevalence of infectious agents in laboratory mice and rats. Laboratory Animals 2009; 43: 165–173.
History
Effective Date: 07/05/2022
Next Review Date: 07/04/2025