Enhancement of nitric oxide synthesis by macrophages represents an additional mechanism of action for amphotericin B.
Amphotericin B (AmB) enhanced nitrite synthesis by murine macrophage-like J774.16 cells in a dose-dependent fashion. This effect was retained in the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans capsular polysaccharide, a known virulence factor. AmB and anticapsular antibody increased nitrite synergistically. In all cases, AmB required gamma interferon; C. neoformans cells were unable to elicit nitrite, with or without AmB.
Mozaffarian
N
N
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA.
Berman
J W
JW
Casadevall
A
A
D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D000666:Amphotericin B; D007371:Interferon-gamma