Characterization of biocompatible fungi-derived polymers that induce IL-8 production

Sixteen strains of fungi from 15 different genera were isolated from natural habitats in Thailand to study their biopolyrners. Polymer production, chemical composition, and physical and biological properties related to their potential as wound dressing materials were investigated. All polymers were shown to be composed of polysaccharides except those produced from Fusarium coccophilum BCC2415 which was a protein-polysaccharide complex. Molecular weights of the polymers ranged from 2.8 x 10(3)-1.2 x 10(7) Da. Apart from the polymers from Fusarium coccophilum BCC2415 and Cordyceps dipterigena BCC2073 that were only water soluble, those from other fungi were soluble in both water and DMSO. Different biological assays including cytotoxicity tests were conducted to investigate their biocompatibility. To evaluate the potential of these polymers as wound dressing material, the level of interleukin (IL)-8 produced by normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHF) cells exposed to the polymers were determined. Our results indicated that polymers produced by Akanthomyces pistillariiformis BCC2694, Cordyceps dipterigena BCC2073, Paecilomyces tenuipes BCC2656, and Phytocordyceps sp. BCC2744 were biocompatible and inducers of high levels of IL-8. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.