Calcium modulation and activation of the Epstein-Barr virus genome in latently infected cells

Abstract

The effects of the calcium ionophore A23187 on viral antigen expression in lymphoblastoid (Raji and P3HR-1), and epithelial (A2L/AH) cell lines was observed. After three days of culturing in the presence of ionophore, there was a significant induction of early antigen (EA) in the Raji cells. The viral capsid antigen (VCA) and early antigen (EA) increased dramatically in P3HR-1 and A2L/AH, the two EBV producer cell lines. When the calcium ionophore was used in conjunction with direct activators of protein kinase C (12-0-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate; TPA) a greater induction of viral antigens was seen than with either agent alone. It is postulated that activation of protein kinase C is required for the expression of the viral genome.