Stimulatory effect of amphotericin B methyl ester on the growth of L-M and vero cells.

The chemically modified polyene macrolide antibiotic, amphotericin B methyl ester (AME), exhibited a concentration-dependent growth stimulatory effect on established lines of mouse (L-M) and monkey (Vero) cells. Stimulation was indicated by increases in growth rate, and in the enhanced synthesis of DNA and RNA. In contrast, the parental antibiotic amphotericin B and the desoxycholate complex of amphotericin B, FungizoneR, did not elicit a similar proliferative response in L-M or Vero cells. AME was not growth-promoting toward low passage strains of mouse (PMK 6) and monkey cells (MGK 8).