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Review

Contact Allergy to Fragrances: In Vitro Opportunities for Safety Assessment

by
Emanuela Corsini
* and
Valentina Galbiati
Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Cosmetics 2019, 6(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics6010003
Submission received: 27 November 2018 / Revised: 26 December 2018 / Accepted: 30 December 2018 / Published: 4 January 2019
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contact Allergy to Fragrances)

Abstract

:
The majority of cosmetic products contain fragrances to make products more pleasant to the consumer, as we all like goods that smell nice. Unfortunately, contact allergy to fragrance compounds is among the most frequent findings in patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis. In order to revert this and to reduce contact allergy to cosmetics, it is imperative to improve safety assessment of cosmetic products for skin sensitization. In the era of animal ban for cosmetic ingredients, this represents a challenge. Luckily, in the last decades, substantial progress has been made in the understanding of the mechanism of chemical-induced contact allergy and several in vitro methods are available for hazard identification. The purpose of this manuscript is to explore the possibility of non-animal testing for quantitative risk assessment of fragrance-induced contact allergy, essential for cosmetic products, which cannot be tested on animals.

1. Introduction

The use of fragrances is widespread and they can be found in everyday products, including hygiene products, perfumes, fragranced cosmetics, but also in housecleaning products. This widespread use increases the risk of exposure and development of contact allergy in genetically predisposed individuals [1]. Skin sensitization has been identified as the critical adverse effect for a wide range of fragrances, and the disease can be severe with a significant impairment of quality of life [1]. Among the most common allergens, isoeugenol, cinnamyl alcohol, eugenol, farnesol, and citral can be mentioned, while lilial, hexyl cinnamal, citronellol, linalool, and limonene are less common [2].
Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a predominantly CD8+ T cell-mediated immune disease toward low molecular weight chemicals (typically < 500 Da), denominated haptens that contact and penetrate the skin, resulting in erythema and eczema [3]. ACD is a common phenomenon and epidemiological studies suggest that it affects up to 20% of the population [4]. There are currently more than 4000 substances identified as contact allergens, and of the chemicals registered at ECHA, approximately 30% of them were classified as allergens (hazard). Regarding fragrances, in a Belgium study, of over 10,000 dermatitis patients tested for suspected contact dermatitis over a period of 15 years, 14.5% were positive to at least one of fragrance mix I or II, Myroxylon Pereirae or hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde [5].
Typically, ACD develops in two phases, the sensitization or induction phase leading to the priming of hapten-specific CD8+ T cells, and the elicitation phase occurring after challenge and resulting in the development of skin inflammation. In order for a chemical to function as a contact sensitizer, the chemical must penetrate the skin, react with carrier endogenous protein to form a complete antigen, it must cause epidermal and dermal inflammation to induce dendritic cell activation, migration to lymph nodes, and recognition as antigenic by T cells [3]. This understanding of the mechanistic aspects involved in sensitization by chemicals is central to develop relevant preventive strategies, and it was the base of the development of the first adverse outcome pathway described (AOP) [6]. For most of the key events (KE) described in the AOP validated in vitro methods are available, and the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) released specific test guidelines for the in vitro assessment of skin sensitization covering the first three key events, namely the direct peptide reactivity assay (DPRA, OECD TG 442C, https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264229709-en) for KE1; the KeratinosensTM and LuSensTM assays (OECD TG 442D, https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264229822-en) for KE2; the human Cell Line Activation Test (h-CLAT), the U937 cell line activation test (U-SENSTM), and the Interleukin-8 Reporter Gene assay (IL-8 Luc assay) (OECD TG 442E, https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264264359-en) for KE3. Recently published reviews provide the state of the art of data integration and best practices for implementation of defined approaches to skin sensitization testing and labeling [7,8,9]. While these methods are useful for hazard identification, classification, and labeling, they are of limited value for quantitative risk assessment and their applicability for final products is questionable due to the intrinsic limitations of the assays themselves, i.e., aqueous culture media used for cell cultures are not compatible with hydrophobic products, limited metabolic capacity, etc. The availability of robust and reliable methods for assessment of relative skin sensitizing potency is of considerable importance for the development of accurate assessment of risk [10]. In addition, it will be a value to have in vitro methods to test complex mixtures and final products for local tolerability, including the potential to trigger skin sensitization.
The mentioned methods are relevant for topically applied chemicals, while their predictive values for systemic hypersensitivity responses need to be demonstrated. One can speculate that, while for topically applied chemicals keratinocytes are essential for the acquisition of skin sensitization, as without signals from these cells dendritic cells will not migrate, this may be different for chemicals inducing systemic hypersensitivity. Data obtained from keratinocytes should be therefore relevant only for topically applied chemicals, while data obtained from dendritic cells may be relevant independently on the expected route of administration.

2. Quantitative Risk Assessment for Skin Sensitization

Quantitative risk assessment for skin sensitization is based on the knowledge that both the induction and elicitation phases are dose-dependent phenomena, which implies that a threshold of reactivity can be identified under foreseeable conditions of exposure [11]. Therefore, the fact that a compound is a skin allergen does not mean that it cannot be used in a cosmetic product proven that it is used at levels well tolerated by most individuals [12]. Currently, quantitative risk assessment for skin sensitization focus on the prevention of the induction phase, while the proper labeling of the product is used to protect people already allergic to a specific component. The main reason is that the induction of sensitization to a particular chemical requires higher doses to the one eliciting a reaction in a previously sensitized subject, making it easier to establish the threshold compared to the establishment of the one for the elicitation phase, which is highly dependent from individual sensitivity and the history that led to sensitization in the first instance, and therefore more difficult to establish. In the case of fragrances, however, for some of them these data are available. For example, for linalool hydroperoxide allergic reactions are observed to a concentration to 0.056%, while for hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde 50% of the allergic patients react to concentration of 0.18–0.34%, depending on the products [1].
Quantitative risk assessment for skin sensitization is different from the safety evaluation of cosmetic products and the calculation of the margin of safety for the different ingredients, which is meant to prevent systemic toxicity. Quantitative risk assessment for skin sensitization is done to prevent the induction of new sensitization.
In the quantitative risk assessment for skin sensitization, appropriate safety factors must be introduced to take into consideration that the sensitization threshold can be influenced by the formulation in which the chemical is included, and vary between individuals [12].
The formula used to calculate the acceptable exposure level (AEL) is based on the estimation of the no expected sensitization induction level (NESIL) and the application of a sensitization assessment factor (SAF):
AEL = NESIL/SAF
The NESIL is established based on weight of evidence, which takes into account all data pre-clinical and/or clinical data, i.e., human data (human repeated insult patch test NOEL in µg/cm2), the local lymph node assay (EC3 value in µg/cm2). It is important to express values in µg/cm2, as the relevant dose metric for skin sensitization is the amount of chemical allergen per unit area on the skin [12,13]. The local lymph node assay (LLNA) is the preferred animal method for the identification of contact allergens as it provides an accurate and reliable identification of skin sensitization hazards and it is useful for the relative potency information [14]. The SAF is the multiple of the three defined areas taking into consideration the inter-individual variability (SAF = 10), matrix effects (SAF = 1–10), and use considerations, i.e., rinse off vs. leave on products, frequency, site of exposure (SAF = 1–10). Thus, SAF can increase from 10 to 1000. The AEL is then compared with the consumer exposure level (CEL, in µg/cm2), which is calculated similarly to what is done for the calculation of the margin of safety for cosmetic ingredient for systemic toxicity. Dermal aggregate exposure should also be taken into consideration, especially for fragrances which are contained in several cosmetic products daily used.
To support safe use of the potential skin sensitizer, the risk will be considered acceptable if AEL > CEL or AEL/CEL ratio > 1, which indicates that the estimated daily exposure for an ingredient must be equal or below the acceptable exposure level to consider safe the use of this ingredient. Following this procedure, the risk of inducing new sensitization should be reduced. The possibility of conducting a quantitative assessment of the risk of inducing new sensitization is strictly dependent on having the NESIL available, and this represents a challenge for new cosmetic ingredients as animal tests are no longer allowed.

3. In Vitro Possibility to Establish a NESIL

For a new cosmetic ingredient, or for a new formulation containing ingredients known to have the potential to induced contact allergy, i.e., fragrances or preservatives, animal tests cannot be longer used according to the European 7th Amendment to the Cosmetics Directive, therefore it is imperative to have alternatives in place. Currently, test strategies for skin sensitization based on the AOP are preferred. Coming to alternatives to animal testing and potency assessment, there has been relatively modest progress, besides the local lymph node assay, in the definition of appropriate experimental in vivo and consequently in vitro models. Robust and reliable methods for the assessment of relative skin sensitizing potency is central for the classification of contact allergens for the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) and for the development of accurate assessment of risk [10,15,16,17]. Based on human data, 89 fragrances have been classified according to their human skin sensitization potency, which includes six categories, where category 1 (extreme) includes chemicals with human repeated insult patch test/human maximization test NOEL <25 μg/cm2 and frequency > 3% in the diagnostic patch test, and category 6 are the non-sensitizer [18]. Of these, none of the fragrances were assigned to category 1, whereas 11 were category 2, 22 were category 3, 37 were category 4, and 19 were category 5. Fragrances in category 2 include oakmoss, citronitrile, trans-2-hexenal, jasmalone, creosol, isoeugenol, pomarose, 6-methyl-3,5-heptadien-2-one, trans-damascone, tea leaf absolute, methyl heptine carbonate [18].
Currently, the understanding the biological mechanisms underlying the allergen potency and the possibility of defining it using in vitro methods represent an area of intense research, where potency is defined as the dose and/or the frequency of occurrence of skin sensitization. It is believed that the extent of chemicals allergen-induced keratinocytes/dendritic cells activation/maturation and lifespan may drive T cell polarization (e.g., Th1, Th2, Treg), and the magnitude of activation, which then results in different in vivo potency [15].
Mathematical models to predict skin sensitization potency class useful for classification and labeling have been proposed [19]. As reported by Zang [19] based on in silico and in vitro methods, the best one-tiered model predicted LLNA outcomes with 78% accuracy, and human outcomes with 75% accuracy (LLNA predicts human potency categories with 69% accuracy). While these approaches may provide valuable information for assessing skin sensitization class of potency (e.g., strong and weak), they do not provide data useful for quantitative risk assessment of skin sensitization. Therefore, additional efforts are clearly needed both from a biological and regulatory point of view. One important limitation of the individual methods developed for the hazard identification of contact allergens and the testing strategy is that they are unable to assign a NESIL to a chemical, which is one of the main advantages of the local lymph node assay.
Currently, methods based on full thickness skin models are being explored to resolve this issue (e.g., epidermal equivalent IL-18 potency assay, SENS-IS, SenCee Tox, EpiSensA). The reconstituted human epidermis models more closely resemble the human epidermis structure, and a dry surface allows topical application of chemicals of any physical-chemical properties, mimicking human exposure, and the possibility of testing difficult chemicals, i.e., chemicals with very high LogP (>4) may be insoluble or incompletely soluble in aqueous media or chemicals unstable in water.
In Figure 1, one of such methods, the epidermal equivalent IL-18 assay is described [20,21].
In the epidermal equivalent IL-18 assay, ingredients (or final products) are topically applied to the epidermal equivalent surface for 24 h. Tissue viability is assessed by the MTT reduction assay, while IL-18 is measured in the culture medium by ELISA. The in vivo values will then be estimated using standard curves constructed from data obtained by testing reference allergens of different potency (e.g., DNCB, isoeugenol, eugenol, benzocaine). In the graphic shown in Figure 1, data variability for both in vitro and in vivo data (where available) was omitted on purpose as currently for the calculation of the margin of safety a single value is still used (i.e., NOAEL). Data variability can be easily included. At present, only a limited number of chemicals have been tested, additional chemicals need to be tested to confirm the results and the usefulness of the proposed method, but the results are very encouraging.
The advantage of the epidermal equivalent IL-18 assay is that it aims to estimate a NESIL and not just potency class as the other methods do, which while being essential for classification and labeling is not sufficient for quantitative risk assessment. Recently Natsch et al. [22], proposed a workflow using structural information, reactivity data and KeratinoSens results to predict an LLNA result as a point of departure, suggesting that sensitization risk assessment without animal testing is possible in most cases. In addition, as mentioned above, potency class might be estimated through Quantitative Mechanistic Modeling or Bayesian statistics [8,9,19,23,24].

4. In Vitro Methods, Fragrances, and Hazard Identification

For the hazard identification, several fragrances have been tested in different in vitro methods. A very useful published database can be found in a recent review published by Urbisch et al. [25]. From this paper, the data relative to 53 fragrances have been extracted and reported in Table 1. In vivo and in vitro data, including human evidences and animal results, are reported. Results are ranked according to human evidences: Negative, inconclusive, positive, and fragrances with no human data. At a glance, one can immediately see the presence of discordant results, indicating that no test, including the LLNA, is perfect, highlighting the necessity to do more than one test before a conclusion on the risk (or not) of sensitization for humans can be reached. In this regard, the review published by Roberts and Patlewicz will provide important insights on the comparison on the predictive performances of the validated methods [17]. It is clear, that the value of using more than one assay relays on how the different assays compensate for each other’s limitations and in relation to the characteristic of the chemical to be tested.
When using in vitro methods to assess effects of fragrances it is important to take into consideration the metabolic capacity of the experimental models, as several fragrances require metabolic activation to form the reactive species. Experimental and clinical studies have shown that fragrance substances can act both as prehaptens and/or prohaptens. Both abiotic (for pre-haptens) and biotic activation (for pro-haptens) are known to be involved in fragrance activation [26]. Within the skin, keratinocytes are the ones providing the metabolic activation [27,28]. Commonly used fragrances, found in essential oils and in many cosmetic products, autoxidize on contact with air, forming hydroperoxides, or can be activated in the skin, forming potent sensitizers that can be an important cause of skin sensitization to fragrances and fragranced products. Among the fragrances known to be pre-haptens, geraniol, D-limonene, and linalool can be mentioned. In Table 1, the pre/prohaptens are marked with an asterisk. In general, pure non-oxidized fragrances seldom cause positive patch test reactions in allergic patients [1]. Some fragrances can undergo both abiotic and biotic transformation, like isoeugenol [29]. The most well-known prohapten pair is cinnamyl alcohol and cinnamaldehyde, where the metabolism occurs within the skin [30]. Taking this into account, predictive testing should include activation steps, meaning that negative results should be carefully considered to respect of the metabolic capacity and/or activation of the tested compound [31].
In Table 1, in vitro results obtained with fragrances are listed according to AOP KEs. Data were extracted from Urbisch et al. database [25]. For the in silico prediction, the OECD QSAR Toolbox v.3.2 was used. It is important to remember that different in silico models may provide different classification. The comparison between the different in silico models and their predictive capabilities goes beyond the scope of this review. Based on in silico data, 7 chemicals were wrongly classified (24%), with six positive showing no alert (benzaldehyde, cinnamyl alcohol, eugenol, farnesol, geraniol, isoeugenol). For KE1, results have been obtained using the DPRA [32]. This assay measures the ability of a chemical to react with peptides containing cysteine and lysine residues (haptenation), which is considered the molecular initiating event for chemical-induced skin sensitization [6]. In the DPRA, several fragrances have been tested with mix results as the system, being an in chemico method, lacks metabolic capacity: Of the fragrances with clear positive or negative results human data (n = 29), 6 were misclassified (21%), with 4 in vivo positive not identified (benzaldehyde, coumarin, farnesol, geraniol).
For KE2, addressing the keratinocyte response, data were obtained using the KeratinoSens [33], in which the activation of keratinocytes is measured by assessing Nrf2-keap1-ARE (antioxidant response element) pathway, associated with the chemical allergen-induced cellular oxidative stress [34]. Also in this case, both false positive and false negative compared to human data can be observed: Of the fragrances with clear positive or negative results human data (n = 29), 6 were misclassified (21%), with 3 in vivo positive not identified or with inconsistent results (3,4-dihydrocoumarin, eugenol, lilial).
Finally, for KE3, addressing dendritic cell activation, data were obtained using the h-CLAT, in which the upregulation of CD54 and CD86 is measured as indicators of dendritic cells activation. Also in this case, both false positive and false negative compared to human data can be observed: Of the fragrances with clear positive or negative results human data (n = 29), 6 were misclassified (21%) and for safranal no data are available, however, with only two in vivo positive not identified (coumarin, isoeugenol).
Overall, data obtained using the non-animal OECD TGs yield good results, but possibly due to the applicability domains of the methods themselves, not all fragrances gave concordant results. The same applies to the LLNA, in which both false positive and false negative results compared to human data can be observed: Of the fragrances with clear positive or negative results human data (n = 29), 7 were misclassified (24%), with 2 in vivo positive not identified (benzaldehyde, coumarin).
The number of fragrances tested in 3D tissue model based assays is more limited, nevertheless, the results hold promise [20,21,35,36,37], but dataset must be enhanced to move these models to an OECD guideline stage to complement cell-culture based models. For example, in the IL-18 RhE assay only ten fragrances have been tested [20,21], namely benzyl cinnamate, benzyl salicylate, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic alcohol, citral, dihydroeugenol, eugenol, isoeugenol, limonene, methyl salicylate, all correctly classified.

5. Conclusions

A reduction of ACD can be achieved by: (1) Correct detection of skin sensitizers; (2) characterization of potency; (3) understanding of human skin exposure; and (4) application of adequate risk assessment and management strategies.
The possibility of defining potency and establishing a NESIL using in vitro methods represents an area of intense research. Some of the in vitro methods based on the use of reconstituted human epidermis offer the opportunity to characterize potency as well as to test complex natural products, mixtures, and final products. These methods should be further explored to assess safety of cosmetic ingredients and final products concerning skin sensitization before testing on humans.

Author Contributions

The review has been written mainly by Emanuela Corsini, Valentina Galbiati contributed to the graphic part and to the preparation of the table.

Funding

No external funding was received for the preparation of this review.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Figure 1. Principle of the epidermal equivalent IL-18 assay for the in vitro identification (hazard identification) and classification of skin sensitizers (NESIL identification). DSA05 (μg/cm2) is the induction dose per skin area (DSA) that produces a positive response in 5% of the tested population; EE-EC50 concentration resulting in 50% decrease in tissue viability in epidermal equivalent; SI-2, stimulation index indicates the concentration resulting in a 2-fold increase in IL-18 release.
Figure 1. Principle of the epidermal equivalent IL-18 assay for the in vitro identification (hazard identification) and classification of skin sensitizers (NESIL identification). DSA05 (μg/cm2) is the induction dose per skin area (DSA) that produces a positive response in 5% of the tested population; EE-EC50 concentration resulting in 50% decrease in tissue viability in epidermal equivalent; SI-2, stimulation index indicates the concentration resulting in a 2-fold increase in IL-18 release.
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Table 1. In vivo and in vitro data on the skin sensitization potential of fragrances.
Table 1. In vivo and in vitro data on the skin sensitization potential of fragrances.
FragranceHuman EvidencesLLNAIn SilicoKE1KE2KE3
Acetanisoleno alert+
Benzyl salicylate+alert+
Citronellol+no alert++
Hexyl salicylate+no alert+
Linalool *+no alert+
Methyl salicylateno alert
Vanillin *no alert−/+−/+
α-iso-Methylionone+alert+
α-Amyl cinnamic aldehyde−/++alert++
6-Methylcoumarin−/+alert+
Benzyl cinnamatenot classified+alert+
Limonene * − (not oxidized)+no alert++
α-Hexyl cinnamic aldehyde−/++alert−/+borderline
2-Phenylpropionaldehyde++alert+++
3,4-Dihydrocoumarin++alert++
Benzaldehyde+no alert++
Cinnamic aldehyde++alert+++
Cinnamyl Alcohol *++no alert+++
Citral (geranial)++alert+++
Coumarin+alert+
Eugenol *++no alert++/−+
Farnesol *++No alert++
Geraniol *++no alert++
Hydroxycitronellal++alert+++
Isoeugenol *++no alert++
Lilial++alert++
Lyral ++alert+++
Methyl 2-nonynoate++alert+++
Methyl-2-octynoate/Methyl heptine carbonate++alert+++
Perillaldehyde++alert+++
Phenylacetaldehyde++alert+++
R-Carvone++alert+++
Safranal++alert++no data
trans-2-Hexenal++alert+++
1-(p-Methoxyphenyl)-1-penten-3-oneno data+alert+++
1-Phenyl-1,2-propanedioneno data+alert+++
2-methoxy-4-methylphenol *not classified +no alert+
2-Methylundecanalnot classified+alert++no data
2,4-Heptadienalno data+alert+++
4-(N-Ethyl-N-2-methan-sulphonamido-ethyl)-2-methyl-1,4-phenylenediamine (CD3) *no data+no alert+++
4-Allylanisole no data+no alert++/−+
5-Methyl-2-phenyl-2-hexenalno data+alertno data++
cis-6-Nonenalno data+alert+no data
Cyclamen aldehydeno data+alert++
Diethyl acetaldehydeno data+alert+++
Dihydroeugenol *no data+no alert+no data
Ethyl vanillin *no datano alert+
Farnesalno data+alert++no data
Octanenitrileno datano alertno data
trans-2-Decenalno data+alert++no data
Undec-10-enalno data+alert+
α-methyl-trans-Cinnamaldehydenot classified+alert+++
β-Damasconenot classified+no alertno data++
Data were extracted from Urbisch et al. [25] LLNA, local lymph node assay; KE, key event. KE 1–3 refers to the AOP for skin sensitization and to non-animal tests assessing them. − indicates negative result; + indicates positive results; −/+ indicates inconclusive result. * indicates pre/prohaptens. No data indicate fragrances for which no data are available, while not classified refers to those fragrances for which some human HRIPT (Human Repeat Insult Patch Test) or HMT (Human Maximization Test) data are available but not sufficient to trigger a classification according to authors [25]. For In silico the OECD QSAR Toolbox v.3.2 has been used; KE1 is based on results obtained using the DPRA; KE2 using the Keratinosens; KE3 using the h-CLAT. For additional information, please refer to Urbisch et al. [25].

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Corsini, E.; Galbiati, V. Contact Allergy to Fragrances: In Vitro Opportunities for Safety Assessment. Cosmetics 2019, 6, 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics6010003

AMA Style

Corsini E, Galbiati V. Contact Allergy to Fragrances: In Vitro Opportunities for Safety Assessment. Cosmetics. 2019; 6(1):3. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics6010003

Chicago/Turabian Style

Corsini, Emanuela, and Valentina Galbiati. 2019. "Contact Allergy to Fragrances: In Vitro Opportunities for Safety Assessment" Cosmetics 6, no. 1: 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics6010003

APA Style

Corsini, E., & Galbiati, V. (2019). Contact Allergy to Fragrances: In Vitro Opportunities for Safety Assessment. Cosmetics, 6(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics6010003

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