API

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Relationship: 2374

Title

A descriptive phrase which clearly defines the two KEs being considered and the sequential relationship between them (i.e., which is upstream, and which is downstream). More help

Altered, retinal layer structure leads to Altered, Visual function

Upstream event
The causing Key Event (KE) in a Key Event Relationship (KER). More help
Altered, retinal layer structure
Downstream event
The responding Key Event (KE) in a Key Event Relationship (KER). More help
Altered, Visual function

Key Event Relationship Overview

The utility of AOPs for regulatory application is defined, to a large extent, by the confidence and precision with which they facilitate extrapolation of data measured at low levels of biological organisation to predicted outcomes at higher levels of organisation and the extent to which they can link biological effect measurements to their specific causes.Within the AOP framework, the predictive relationships that facilitate extrapolation are represented by the KERs. Consequently, the overall WoE for an AOP is a reflection in part, of the level of confidence in the underlying series of KERs it encompasses. Therefore, describing the KERs in an AOP involves assembling and organising the types of information and evidence that defines the scientific basis for inferring the probable change in, or state of, a downstream KE from the known or measured state of an upstream KE. More help

AOPs Referencing Relationship

AOP Name Adjacency Weight of Evidence Quantitative Understanding Point of Contact Author Status OECD Status
Thyroperoxidase inhibition leading to altered visual function via altered retinal layer structure adjacent High Low Allie Always (send email) Open for citation & comment EAGMST Under Review

Taxonomic Applicability

Latin or common names of a species or broader taxonomic grouping (e.g., class, order, family) that help to define the biological applicability domain of the KER.In general, this will be dictated by the more restrictive of the two KEs being linked together by the KER.  More help
Term Scientific Term Evidence Link
zebrafish Danio rerio High NCBI

Sex Applicability

An indication of the the relevant sex for this KER. More help
Sex Evidence
Unspecific Moderate

Life Stage Applicability

An indication of the the relevant life stage(s) for this KER.  More help
Term Evidence
Embryo High
Adult Moderate
Juvenile Moderate
Larvae High

Key Event Relationship Description

Provides a concise overview of the information given below as well as addressing details that aren’t inherent in the description of the KEs themselves. More help

The structure of the vertebrate retina is well conserved and consists of the following layers: The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), the photoreceptor layer (PRL), the outer plexiform layer (OPL), the inner nuclear layer (INL), the inner plexiform layer (IPL) and the ganglion cell layer (GCL). Each of these layers has a specific function for the physiology of the visual system. The RPE serves to protect and maintain the photoreceptors and absorbs excess light. The photoreceptors in the PRL consist of a light-receiving outer segment (OS) and the inner segment (IS), which contains the cell bodies. They send their signals to the bipolar cells in the INL, which transmit the signal to the ganglion cells. These form the optic nerve and are responsible for transmitting signals to the optic nerves. In both plexiform layers, the retinal neurons form their synaptic connections (Bibliowicz et al. 2011).

To study the eye, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) is at the forefront of many studies as a model organism. In zebrafish, eye development begins around 12 hpf (Houbrechts et al., 2016b) and by 72 hpf the layers of the retina are well developed (Malicki et al., 2016). Functional vision is established by 4-5 dpf (Brockerhoff, 2006; Chhetri et al., 2014).

Evidence Collection Strategy

Include a description of the approach for identification and assembly of the evidence base for the KER. For evidence identification, include, for example, a description of the sources and dates of information consulted including expert knowledge, databases searched and associated search terms/strings.  Include also a description of study screening criteria and methodology, study quality assessment considerations, the data extraction strategy and links to any repositories/databases of relevant references.Tabular summaries and links to relevant supporting documentation are encouraged, wherever possible. More help

Evidence Map 2.0

ID Experimental Design Species Upstream Observation Downstream Observation Citation (first author, year) Notes

Evidence Map

Addresses the scientific evidence supporting KERs in an AOP setting the stage for overall assessment of the AOP. More help
Title First Author
Biological Plausibility
Dose Concordance
Temporal Concordance
Incidence Concordance
Biological Plausibility
Dose Concordance Evidence
Temporal Concordance Evidence
Incidence Concordance Evidence
Uncertainties and Inconsistencies
Addresses inconsistencies or uncertainties in the relationship including the identification of experimental details that may explain apparent deviations from the expected patterns of concordance. More help

Often, high variances occur in the results of behavioural studies that may be due to a variety of factors including genetic differences, variation in feeding status, etc. It is also difficult to compare data from different laboratories in such experiments. Similarly, extrapolating data from fish to mammalian data is particularly difficult for behavioural studies. 

Known modulating factors

This table captures specific information on the MF, its properties, how it affects the KER and respective references.1.) What is the modulating factor? Name the factor for which solid evidence exists that it influences this KER. Examples: age, sex, genotype, diet 2.) Details of this modulating factor. Specify which features of this MF are relevant for this KER. Examples: a specific age range or a specific biological age (defined by...); a specific gene mutation or variant, a specific nutrient (deficit or surplus); a sex-specific homone; a certain threshold value (e.g. serum levels of a chemical above...) 3.) Description of how this modulating factor affects this KER. Describe the provable modification of the KER (also quantitatively, if known). Examples: increase or decrease of the magnitude of effect (by a factor of...); change of the time-course of the effect (onset delay by...); alteration of the probability of the effect; increase or decrease of the sensitivity of the downstream effect (by a factor of...) 4.) Provision of supporting scientific evidence for an effect of this MF on this KER. Give a list of references.  More help

Domain of Applicability

A free-text section of the KER description that the developers can use to explain their rationale for the taxonomic, life stage, or sex applicability structured terms. More help

Taxonomic applicability: The visual system of the zebrafish follows the typical organisation of vertebrates and is often used as a model to study human eye diseases. Although there are some differences in eye structure between zebrafish and humans, it is plausible to assume that a functioning eye structure is important for visual function across all vertebrates and invertebrates that have eyes.

Life stage applicability: The first visual responses based on retinal functionality appear around 70 hpf in zebrafish (Schmitt and Dowling 1999). It is plausible to assume that alterations of the eye structure would result in altered visual function across all life stages, but such alterations are most likely to occur during the development of the normal eye structure, which occurs in the embryo-eleutheroembryo phase.

Sex applicability: Zebrafish are undifferentiated gonochorists since both sexes initially develop an immature ovary (Maack and Segner, 2003). Immature ovary development progresses until approximately the onset of the third week. Later, in female fish immature ovaries continue to develop further, while male fish undergo transformation of ovaries into testes. Final transformation into testes varies among male individuals, however finishes usually around 6 weeks post fertilization. Effects on visual function resulting from altered eye structure during early development are therefore expected to be independent of sex.