Direct suppression of phagocytosis by amphipathic polymeric surfactants

Recent studies have demonstrated that phagocytosis of colloidal particles by the mononuclear phagocytes of the liver and spleen can be controlled by either coating or stabilizing particulate carriers with the amphipathic polymeric surfactants, F108 and T908. These surfactants consist of copolymers of polypropylene oxide (PPO) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) and, when adsorbed to particulate surfaces, significantly decrease sequestration of particulates by the mononuclear phagocytes (MPS) of the liver. To evaluate these observations further, murine peritoneal macrophages were incubated for varying periods with surfactant-coated and noncoated polystyrene particles (PSPs). Phagocytosis was monitored using gamma counting and quantitative fluorescence microscopy. The data show that phagocytosis is decreased when PSPs are coated with F108 and T908. In addition, suppression of phagocytic activity was observed when cells were pretreated with the surfactant and then challenged with noncoated particles. The data confirm previous observations that polymeric surfactants consisting of PEO and PPO protect particulate carriers from rapid uptake by the MPS of the liver. Further, F108 and T908 suppress phagocytosis directly without affecting the integrity, viability, or functional state of the cell.