N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine induced accumulation of inositol phosphates indicates the presence of oligopeptide chemoattractant receptors on circulating human lymphocytes.

Using [3H]-inositol-labeled human lymphocytes, formation of inositolphosphates was found as a specific response to the chemotactic formylpeptide, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), in a fashion similar to the effects of fMLP in human granulocytes. Inositol phosphate formation could be significantly augmented by lithium ions. The results suggest that fMLP-mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositides is involved in its chemotactic effects on human lymphocytes.