Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are a class of chemicals used to produce materials commonly found in everyday life, such as some plastics, tin cans, electrical and household appliances, cosmetics, pesticides, etc. EDs are, however, not without danger: these molecules interfere with the endocrine system, disrupting the physiological production and the target effects of hormones. In particular, EDs have proven effects on the reproductive system and an incidence on the occurrence of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases during aging.

There is also growing evidence that EDs strongly interfere with the functioning of the thyroid. EDs cause changes in thyroid hormone concentrations, the peripheral metabolism of these hormones and the signalling of their receptors. The mechanism by which they act on the thyroid axis is, however, still far from being elucidated: the tests currently available are strongly limited by the availability of adequate quantities of human thyroid tissue and by the inability to predict the effects of EDs after low dose exposure.

The new European collaborative project SCREENED aims to develop new 3D in vitro tests to overcome these limitations. Based on 3D constructions of rodent and human thyroid cells, these tests will for the first time mimic the structure and function of the native thyroid gland and, thus, its vascular and morphogenetic anatomical characteristics. Maastricht University Professor Lorenzo Moroni (MERLN), the coordinator of the SCREENED project, explains: “These new 3D in vitro thyromorphic models will make it possible to predict with more sensitivity and specificity the effects of EDs on thyroid function, compared to conventional molecular and 2D in vitro assays. These tests will also allow selective identification of female and male responses to the exposure to EDs and to test simultaneous action of different EDs on thyroid function.”

Horizon 2020
The SCREENED project is part of a bigger cluster of eight research projects, all funded by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme, and each focusing on a different aspect of new testing and screening methods to identify EDs. SCREENED brings together nine European universities and companies, including Maastricht University. 

The ambition of the SCREENED project is that these new 3D in vitro tests, as well as the increased knowledge about adverse reactions after exposure to EDs, will be used for regulatory purposes, ultimately to improve human health.

Partner organisations:

• Universiteit Maastricht (Netherlands)     Universita degli study di Parma (Italy) 
• Université libre de Bruxelles (Belgium) 
• Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (Italy) 
• Presens Precision Sensing GmbH (Germany) 
• University College Dublin, National University Of Ireland (Ireland)
• Atturos Limited (Ireland)
• ARTTIC SAS (France)
• Cyprotex, an Evotec Company (United Kingdom)

Project duration: 01/01/2019 – 31/12/2023

EU financial contribution: 5 655 088,75 €

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research  and innovation programme under grant agreement No 825745.