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.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Wilson et al. (1991) studied this question.