Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate concentrations increase after adherence in the macrophage-like cell line J774.1

Several properties of macrophages change when suspended cells become adherent. To determine the intracellular signals involved in these changes, concentrations of the second messenger inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] were monitored during adherence of J774.1 cells, a macrophage-like cell line. When cells grown in suspension were allowed to adhere to a glass surface, there was a transient increase in InsP3 that reached a peak between 100 and 120 s after plating. Inositol mono- and bis-phosphate concentrations were also elevated 100 and 120 s after plating. Analysis of isomer distribution showed significant 3-fold increases in Ins(1,4,5)P3 and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate [Ins(1,3,4,5)P4] at 100 s after plating. These values were maintained at 120 s, with the additional appearance of a 4-fold increase in inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate. The adherence-induced generation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 was decreased, and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 formation was blocked, in Ca2+-free medium. However, doubling intracellular [Ca2+] by addition of the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin (1 microM) did not increase Ins(1,4,5)P3 in suspended cells. Adherence of J774.1 cells to fibronectin-coated glass also induced an increase in InsP3.