Biocompatibility of potential wound management products: Fungal mycelia as a source of chitin/chitosan and their effect on the proliferation of human F1000 fibroblasts in culture

Abstract

Aspergillus oryzae, Mucor mucedo, and Phycomyces blakesleeanus cultures were examined as sources of chitin/chitosan. The nitrogen content of the alkali-treated mycelia/sporangiophores of A. oryzae, M. mucedo, and P. blakesleeanus was 2.52, 3.61, and 6.27% w/w, which relates to an estimated chitin content of 37, 52, and 91%, respectively. The effect of these fungal materials on the rate of proliferation of human F1000 fibroblasts in culture was examined. At 0.01% w/v, all three materials exhibited significant (P < .05) proproliferant activity over a period of 13 days. However, at 0.05% w/v, P. blakesleeanus further enhanced cell proliferation, whereas A. oryzae and M. mucedo produced a significant (P < .05) antiproliferant effect. Higher concentrations of P. blakesleeanus (0.1 and 0.5%) caused marked inhibition of F1000 cell proliferation when measured on days 3 and 6. Only the proproliferant effect of these fungal materials appears to correlate to their chitin content. Furthermore, the cytomorphology of the fibroblasts indicated that P. blakesleeanus, and to a lesser extent M. mucedo, possessed cell attractant properties, again correlating with chitin content. If developed for use as wound management materials, the sporangiophores of P. blakesleeanus and the mycelium of M. mucedo could possibly promote the growth of fibroblasts and provide a matrix for their anchorage, thus contributing to the granulation phase of the healing cascade.

Molecular-Weight-Dependent Toxic Effects of Chitosans on the Human Keratinocyte Cell Line HaCaT

“…In vitro studies of chitin and chitosan have yielded diverse results: stimulatory [18] and inhibitory [19,20] effects on human cells as well as no influence [21,22] were reported so far. This contradictory outcome appears at least in part to derive from the different chemical compositions and physical forms of the chitosan samples investigated.…”

Chitosan as a starting material for wound healing applications

“…It is able to interact with different drugs making it attractive for wound healing. Furthermore, CMC was shown to promote skin fibroblasts proliferation (Chung et al, 1994). CMC antibacterial activity is affected by its molecular weight, solution pH, concentration and degree of deacetylation (Fei Liu et al, 2001).…”

Novel biodegradable composite wound dressings with controlled release of antibiotics: Microstructure, mechanical and physical properties

“…Bioresorbable dressings based on biological materials such as collagen and chitosan have been reported to perform better than conventional and synthetic dressings in accelerating granulation tissue formation and epithelialization. 6,7 However, controlling the release of antibiotics from these materials is challenging because of their hydrophilic nature. In most cases, the drug reservoir is depleted in less than 2 days, resulting in a very short antibacterial effect.…”