Beta 1 integrin-mediated T cell adhesion is regulated by calcium ionophores and endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitors.

Treatment of T lymphoblasts with stimuli that mobilize [Ca2+]i, such as ionophores (ionomycin and A23187) and endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitors (thapsigargin, 2,5-di-(tert.-butyl)-hydroquinone and cyclopiazonic acid), activated T cell binding to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. T lymphoblast adhesion to ECM proteins stimulated by ionomycin, thapsigargin, or PMA was inhibited by an anti-beta 1 integrin mAb (4B4), confirming the role of beta 1 integrins in regulated T cell-ECM interactions. Study of the alpha integrin subunit specificity of activated lymphoblast-fibronectin interactions demonstrated that alpha 5 beta 1 was the major integrin receptor regulating binding to fibronectin. These results indicate that intracellular Ca2+ mobilization plays a major contributory role in the activation of T cell beta 1 integrins.