The effect of clindamycin on macrophage and monocyte Fc receptors

The effect of clindamycin on Fc receptor expression has been investigated with mouse peritoneal macrophages and human peripheral blood monocytes. When monolayers of these cells were treated with therapeutic concentrations of clindamycin for periods up to 1 hr at 37 degrees C binding of IgG2b coated sheep erythrocytes (EAG) was inhibited. No effect was observed at 4 degrees C or 22 degrees C. An independent effect of the antibiotic on the sheep erythrocytes was noted when they were pretreated with clindamycin that resulted in enhanced binding to the mouse but not the human phagocytes. These findings are discussed in relation to possible in vivo actions of the antibiotic.