Open AccessEnhancement of macrophage superoxide anion production by amphotericin B
Author(s) -
Emily Wilson,
Lisa Thorson,
David P. Speert
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.07
H-Index - 259
eISSN - 1070-6283
pISSN - 0066-4804
DOI - 10.1128/aac.35.5.796
Subject(s) - superoxide , zymosan , phagocytosis , opsonin , macrophage , respiratory burst , microbiology and biotechnology , monocyte , staphylococcus aureus , antibody opsonization , biology , in vitro , antigen , mechanism of action , chemistry , immunology , biochemistry , enzyme , bacteria , genetics
Amphotericin B (AmB) appears to have some important immunomodulatory effects, but its mechanism of action has not been explained. We investigated the effects of AmB on activation of human monocyte-derived macrophages. Macrophages cultured in the presence of AmB had an enhanced capacity to produce superoxide anion after stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate. This enhancement was dose dependent within a therapeutic range of AmB levels (0.1 to 3.0 mg/liter). Macrophages cultured in the presence of AmB had enhanced surface expression of Ia antigen; phagocytosis of unopsonized zymosan, opsonized Staphylococcus aureus, or erythrocytes opsonized with C3bi or immunoglobulin G paradoxically appeared to be reduced, but results did not achieve statistical significance. AmB appears to activate macrophages and may do so via direct effects on the plasma membrane.