myo-Inositol is an osmolyte in rat liver macrophages (Kupffer cells) but not in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages.

The role of myo-inositol as an osmolyte was studied in cultured rat liver macrophages (Kupffer cells). Hyperosmotic exposure of Kupffer cells stimulated myo-inositol uptake and led to an increase in the mRNA levels for the sodium/myo-inositol cotransporter (SMIT). Conversely, hypo-osmotic (205 m-osM) exposure diminished myo-inositol uptake when compared with normo-osmotic (305 m-osM) control incubations. The hyperosmolarity-induced SMIT mRNA increase was counteracted by added myo-inositol or betaine. In contrast with Kupffer cells, there was only a slight hyperosmotic stimulation of myo-inositol uptake in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages, and the myo-inositol transporter (SMIT) mRNA was not detectable. Further, a slight stimulation of taurine uptake and an increase in taurine transporter (TAUT) mRNA level by hyperosmolarity was observed in RAW 264.7 cells, whereas hypo-osmolarity led to a decrease in taurine uptake and TAUT mRNA level. When Kupffer cells were preloaded with myo-inositol, hypo-osmotic exposure led to a rapid efflux of myo-inositol from the cells. Myo-inositol efflux was also stimulated by phagocytosis of latex particles; however, latex was without effect on the hyperosmolarity-induced increase of SMIT mRNA levels. The results suggest a role of myo-inositol as an osmolyte in rat Kupffer cells but not in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. The functional relevance of this osmolyte strategy might lie in the maintenance of cell volume homeostasis during phagocytosis in Kupffer cells; however, the interplay with the other osmolytes betaine and taurine remains to be established.