Phosphatidylinositol liposomes opsonized by concanavalin A stimulate phosphatidylinositol turnover in macrophages.

We have previously found that concanavalin A binds specifically to inositol and phosphatidylinositol. In the present study we demonstrate that binding of concanavalin A to liposomes containing phosphatidylinositol influences the uptake of such liposomes by macrophages. Although resident mouse peritoneal macrophages normally ingest liposomes only to a slight extent, attachment of concanavalin A to the liposomes caused a marked enhancement of phagocytosis. Furthermore induction of phagocytosis of concanavalin A-opsonized liposomes was associated with increased phosphatidylinositol turnover. We conclude that (a) concanavalin A can serve as an opsonizing agent for liposomes; (b) opsonization results from binding of concanavalin A to phosphatidylinositol on the liposomal surface; and (c) concanavalin A-induced phagocytosis is associated with increased phosphatidylinositol turnover in the macrophages.