Editor's Note.

Abstract

As we delve into Issue 1 of 2023, I’d like to highlight several papers in this issue. Gao et al and Stefanowicz et al both published manuscripts examining the impact of toxicant exposures (gold and silver nanoparticles in Gao et al, and acetaminophen by Stefanowicz et al) in isolated cell monocultures vs co-cultures with organ-relevant cells. In the case of Gao et al, the researchers noted that the cytotoxicity of gold and silver nanoparticles to rat dorsal root ganglion cells was greatly mitigated when the neurons were co-cultured with glial (Schwann) cells. In addition, neuronal markers such as synapsin I were better-preserved in the co-cultured neurons compared to isolated neurons alone. Stefanowicz et al similarly examined the cytotoxicity of acetaminophen in primary hepatocytes alone, compared to hepatocytes co-cultured with hepatic non-parenchymal cells; these investigators similarly demonstrated reduced cytotoxicity in response to acetaminophen exposure in the hepatocyte co-cultures, compared to hepatocytes alone. While neither of these systems capture the complexity of microphysiological systems such as “organs on chips” (reviewed recently), they do demonstrate that by simulating an intact organ with multiple cell types in coculture, compared to single cell populations alone, laboratory scientists can use “off the shelf” reagents such as commercially-available (or freshly isolated) cell lines to examine organ toxicity under more realistic organ-specific physiological conditions. Looking back to 2022, we were happy to participate in a faceto-face American College of Toxicology (ACT) annual meeting, following 2 years of virtual annual meetings. As has been our practice in the past, the abstracts of posters that had not been previously published are included in this issue of International Journal of Toxicology. We had another year of over 400 manuscript submissions to the Journal. So many manuscripts necessitate a lot of peer review, so I want to thank my Editorial Board members for their tireless efforts, as well as the dozens of ad hoc reviewers who contributed their time and expertise to assist with review of submitted manuscripts. The Editorial Board members are listed in each issue of the printed version of the Journal and on the ACTwebsite. I also compile a list of ad hoc reviewers each year, with my thanks, which appears for 2022 ad hoc reviewers on page 103 of this issue of International Journal of Toxicology. Finally, it’s my great pleasure to recognize the recipients of the award for the Best Paper published in International Journal of Toxicology in 2021. For those unfamiliar with this award, all papers published in the previous calendar year in International Journal of Toxicology are eligible to be nominated for the annual Best Paper award. So, for the 2022 award, nominators selected from among all International Journal of Toxicology publications in 2021. The 2022 award went to Dr. Brian Welsh and collaborators for their publication on the nonclinical development of SRK-181, an anti-latent TGFβ1 monoclonal antibody. For details of the winning paper, please see Welsh BT et al. Int J Toxicol 40(3):226-41. If you find a paper published in 2022 particularly meritorious, with potential to have a long-lasting impact on the practice and/or field of toxicology, the deadline to nominate that paper for the 2022 Best Paper award is March 31, 2023. Thank you so much for your ongoing support of me and the Journal. As 2022 came to a close, approximately 20 manuscripts were submitted for consideration by members of ACT. So, whether you publish in the journal, cite articles published in the Journal, or participate in the peer review process, know that your support is greatly appreciated! Sincerely,