6.
The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of calcium ions (Ca
2+) in the induction and secretion of the dengue type 2 virus induced cytotoxic factor and the cytotoxin. This was done by using
calcium channel blocking drugs such as verapamil, nifedipine or diltiazem hydrochloride. The production of cytotoxic factor
was significantly reduced by treatment of dengue type 2 virus infected mice with verapamil. Similarly, a dosedependent inhibition
of the secretion of cytotoxic factor was observed, when spleen cells of the virus-primed mice were treated
in vitro with the 3 calcium channel blockers. The production of cytotoxin by macrophages was abrogated by pretreatment with calcium
channel blockers but had little effect on its secretion as shown by treatment of macrophages with verapamil at 1 h after the
induction to later periods up to 18 h. The findings thus show that in the induction of both the cytokines Ca
2+ plays a critical role; on the other hand it is required for the secretion of the cytotoxic factor but not for that of the
cytotoxin.
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