EFFECT OF LINER AND CORE MATERIALS OF PLASTERBOARD ON MICROBIAL GROWTH, SPORE-INDUCED CYTOTOXICITY AND PRODUCTION OF TNFa IN MACROPHAGES

摘要

In the present study, we cultured a fungus Stachybotrys chartarum and a bacterium Streptomyces californicus on liners and cores of six different plasterboards in order to examine the effects of plasterboard components on microbial growth and the bioactivity of the spores. The microbes were grown under saturated humidity conditions on wetted liners and cores of six different plasterboards. The spores were collected and applied to RAW264.7 macrophages at different doses. The bioactivity of spores was evaluated 24 h after exposure as their ability to evoke cytotoxicity and to stimulate the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in the macrophages. The cores supported microbial growth better than the liners. Both microbes induced dose-dependent production of TNFα, which was consistent with their cytotoxicity. These results indicate that the previously reported bioactivity associated with microbial growth on plasterboard is not only due to the cardboard liner, but the core material also has an essential role.