Inhibition of proliferation of a murine myeloma cell line and mitogen-stimulated B lymphocytes by the antibiotic amphotericin B (Fungizone).

Amphotericin B at the concentration normally used for routine suppression of fungal infection in tissue culture strongly inhibits the proliferation of NS1/1 myeloma cells and the LPS-induced activation of B lymphocytes from mouse spleen. The proliferation of T lymphocytes induced by concanavalin A (Con A) was less affected by the antibiotic, indicating that B-lymphocyte proliferation was preferentially inhibited. The unexpected sensitivity of B-lymphoid cells to amphotericin B precludes its use as an anti-fungal agent in the production of hybridomas from fusions between these cells.