Cytotoxicity and effects on inflammatory response of modified types of cellulose in macrophage-like THP-1 cells

The cytotoxicity and in vitro effects of six variously modified types of cellulose (OC - oxidized cellulose, NaOC - oxidized cellulose sodium salt, DAC - dialdehyde cellulose, CMC - carboxymethyl cellulose, MFC - microfibrilated cellulose, and MCC - microcrystalline cellulose) on the inflammatory response in macrophage-like THP-1 cells were examined, with special focus on their ability to influence gene expression and the production of TNF-alpha. The study provides evidence that DAC exerts a marked effect on the induction of TNF-alpha gene expression and its subsequent production in human macrophages. Thus, the use of DAC for anti-hemorrhagic or wound-healing therapy should be considered carefully with regard to its pro-inflammatory activity. On the contrary, MCC showed significant anti-inflammatory effects in the LPS-induced conditions, which might be beneficial for the treatment of non-healing chronic wounds, e.g., diabetic or venous ulcers. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.