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Effect of macrolide antibiotics on macrophage functions
1First Department of Internal Medicine, Kagawa Medical School, Japan.
Microbiology and Immunology
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Macrolide antibiotics, beyond their antimicrobial effects, were found to stimulate macrophage functions. These include enhanced growth, phagocytosis, and immune responses against Candida albicans and LPS.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Macrolide antibiotics possess non-antimicrobial properties.
- Emerging evidence suggests macrolides act as immunomodulators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of macrolide antibiotics on macrophage functions.
- To evaluate macrolide impact on macrophage growth, phagocytosis, cytocidal activity, and chemotaxis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the mouse macrophage cell line J774.1.
- Assessed macrophage growth, bead phagocytosis, Candida albicans cytocidal activity, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced chemotaxis.
Main Results:
- Most macrolides, excluding azithromycin, significantly enhanced macrophage growth.
- Pretreatment with macrolides (excluding roxithromycin) boosted phagocytosis, LPS chemotaxis, and Candida albicans cytocidal activity.
Conclusions:
- Macrolide antibiotics demonstrate significant stimulatory effects on key macrophage functions.
- These findings support the role of macrolides as potent immunomodulators, enhancing innate immune cell activity.