Monocyte Activation Test (MAT) Now Available from Charles River

March 23, 2011 - Charles River is committed to expanding our portfolio with in vitro alternatives to in vivo tests. We now offer the Monocyte Activation Test (MAT) according to EP 2.6.30. The MAT works by predicting the human response to pyrogens on the basis of human fever rather than animal models. This test may be used as an alternative to the rabbit pyrogen test. The MAT can test for Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, other biological pyrogens (e.g., yeast), as well as parasitic and viral pyrogens.

The expansion of the current services provides clients with the opportunity to work closely with our team of experienced staff for release of their product and to explore alternative methods to assess the pyrogenicity of their materials. Following a product specific validation, the MAT may be used for products such as drugs that affect body temperature regulation (e.g., antipyretic drugs and steroids), drugs that cause immunological reactions (e.g., immunoglobulins), detergents and some blood-derived products (e.g., stem cells). The MAT can also be considered in place of other methods currently used to test products that are turbidimetric, strongly colored or interfere with clotting. The MAT quantifies substances that activate human monocytes or monocytic cell lines to release endogenous mediators, such as pro-inflammatory cytokines.

For more information, contact us at askcharlesriver@crl.com.