Abstract
Culture of mouse resident peritoneal macrophages (PM) in serum-containing medium causes a rapid and marked induction of the enzyme tissue transglutaminase (tissue TGase). Coculture of PM with amphotericin B (AmpB) inhibited the serum-induced expression and accumulation of tissue TGase. The AmpB-mediated inhibition of tissue TGase was specific and was due to inhibition of enzyme synthesis. The serum-dependent induction of tissue TGase was inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion, and a complete inhibition was observed at 1.5 microgram/ml dose of AmpB. The inhibition was reversible; however, the time of recovery depended on the dose and time of exposure of the cells to AmpB. The present studies suggest that AmpB-mediated inhibition of tissue TGase is due to inhibition of the uptake of serum retinoids by PM.