Therapeutic potential of Nitazoxanide against Newcastle disease virus: A possible modulation of host cytokines

Abstract

Newcastle disease (ND) is prevalent among the domesticated and the wild birds and is caused by the avian paramyxovirus serotype-I (APMV-I). It is commonly known to affect chicken, pheasant, ostrich, pigeon and waterfowl. Depending on the virulence, the velogenic NDV strains cause severe respiratory and nervous disorders with a high mortality rate. The live and killed vaccines are available for the prevention of infection in the market, but the drug for the treatment is not available. Nitazoxanide (NTZ), a member of thiazolides, is an antiparasitic drug. In the present study, the effect of NTZ on the NDV replication was explored. The experiments were conducted in chicken fibroblast cells (DF-1), PBMC, embryonated chicken eggs, and two-week old chickens. The inhibition of the NDV was observed upon post-treatment of NTZ at a concentration of~12.5 μM. Cytokine profiling of the DF-1, PBMC, and chicken embryonic tissue treated with NTZ revealed significant upregulation in all the cytokines studied except for IL-1β in DF-1 cells. It is plausible that NTZ is involved in causing immunemodulatory effects in poultry. NTZ treatment in two weeks old chicken showed significant reduction in NDV replication in trachea, and lungs, respectively, at 72 h post-infection. Encouraging results from the present study warrants repurposing NTZ as a drug for the treatment of viral infection in poultry. It will also pave the way towards understanding of similar effect against other animal pathogens.

Newcastle disease virus elevates its replication by instigating oxidative stress-driven Sirtuin 7 production

“…Lastly, the blots were detected using ECL Detection Reagent (BioRad, USA), and signals were detected by chemiluminescence. Primary antibodies against chicken NDV proteins (available in the laboratory (3, 63, 64)), β-actin (Invitrogen, USA), sirtuin 7, and acetylated lysine (Cell Signaling Technology, USA) were used.…”

“…Primary antibodies against chicken NDV proteins (available in the laboratory (3,63,64)), β-actin (Invitrogen, USA), sirtuin 7, and acetylated lysine (Cell Signaling Technology, USA) were used.…”

Newcastle disease virus regulates its replication by instigating oxidative stress-driven Sirtuin 7 production

“…Lastly, the blots were developed using ECL Detection Reagent (BioRad, USA), and signals were detected by chemiluminescence. Primary antibodies against chicken NDV proteins (available in the laboratory [3,68,69]) (1 : 10 000 dilution), β-actin (Invitrogen, USA), FLAG, SIRT1, SIRT7, and acetylated lysine (Cell Signalling Technology, USA) (1 : 5000 dilution) were used. NDV polyclonal antibody used in the study can detect N and HN proteins.…”

Nitazoxanide and COVID-19: A review

“…Similarly, NTZ can reduce the inflammatory burden and development of cytokine storm during SARS-CoV-2. This could be attained via inhibition of the pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1β, IL-6, IL-13, and TNF-α with activation of the anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-10 [ 36 ]. Miner et al [ 37 ] illustrated that NTZ has an important effect in the management of various respiratory illnesses such as asthma and other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.…”