Effects of liposomal amphotericin b on human peripheral blood monocytes and lymphocytes

The effects of free amphotericin B (AmpB) and liposome-encapsulated amphotericin B (L-AmpB) on normal human peripheral blood monocytes (HPBM) and lymphocytes were studied. L-AmpB did not reduce HPBM H₂O₂-generating capacity even at doses of 100 μg/ml. there was no direct induction of H₂O₂by either AmpB or L-AmpB. L-AmpB (at concentrations of 10μg/ml) did not suppress lymphocyte blastogenic responses (LBRs) to concanavalin A and phyto-hemagglutin. Similar concentrations of AmpB caused a greater than 30% decrease in LBRs related to a direct effect on lymphocytes. Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and natural killer cell activity were markedly reduced by AmpB at a concentration of 5 μg/ml but not by L-AmpB. L-AmpB was shown to be less toxic to lymphocytes and HPBM than AmpB; however, no potentiation of the immune parameters tested was observed with either drug.