The aim of this study was to determine amphotericin B (AmB) permeation across lipid bilayer membranes mounted on Transwell® and to observe the phagocytosis of the AmB and the AmB-lipid formulations by alveolar macrophage (AM) cell lines using a fluorescence microscope. The lipid bilayer membranes were prepared from phospholipid and ergosterol as well as phospholipid and cholesterol in a ratio (67:33 mol%). AmB-lipid formulations were prepared from AmB incorporated with four lipid derivatives during a lyophilization process. In vitro cytotoxicity studies were carried out on kidney cells by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The levels of nitric oxide production by AMs exposed to these AmB-lipid formulations were determined by the Griess reaction. Phagocytosis of the AmB-lipid formulations was carried out using AM cells. The lipid bilayer membranes and AmB-lipid formulations were successfully prepared. In vitro cytotoxicity results showed less toxicity to kidney cells than pure AmB, and a 1,000-fold less production of nitric oxide by NR8383 cell lines was obtained when compared to lipopolysaccharide. Permeation results were two- to fivefold higher than for pure AmB in the ergosterol containing lipid bilayer and two- to fourfold higher than AmB in the cholesterol containing compositions, both of which were enough to kill the fungi according to their MICs and MFCs. AM phagocytosed the AmB-lipid formulations. We suggest that these products especially the AmB-sodium deoxycholate sulfate are potential candidates for targeting AM cells for the treatment of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.
Keywords: Ussing chamber; alveolar macrophage; amphotericin B; lipid bilayer; phagocytosis.