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Role of Ca2+ ion on Leishmania-macrophage attachment

S Misra1, K Naskar, D Sarkar

  • 1Leishmania Group, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Calcutta.

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
|March 27, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Calcium ions regulate Leishmania donovani attachment to macrophages. Calcium channel blockers like verapamil and nifedipine inhibit this process, which can be reversed by calcium ionophores.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Visceral leishmaniasis is caused by Leishmania donovani.
  • Leishmania donovani infects macrophages, initiating the disease.
  • Leishmania-macrophage attachment is crucial for infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of calcium ions in Leishmania-macrophage attachment.
  • To evaluate the effect of calcium channel blockers on this attachment process.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Leishmania donovani and macrophage cultures.
  • Administered calcium channel blockers (verapamil, nifedipine) and calcium ionophores.
  • Observed and quantified parasite-macrophage attachment.

Main Results:

  • Calcium ions (Ca2+) regulate Leishmania-macrophage attachment.
  • Verapamil and nifedipine inhibited parasite attachment in a time-dependent manner.
  • Calcium ionophores alone stimulated attachment.
  • The inhibitory effects of calcium channel blockers were reversed by calcium ionophores.

Conclusions:

  • Calcium influx is essential for Leishmania donovani attachment to macrophages.
  • Calcium channel blockers represent a potential therapeutic strategy for visceral leishmaniasis by disrupting parasite entry.
  • Modulating calcium signaling pathways offers a novel approach to combat leishmaniasis.

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