Calcitriol reduces Newcastle disease virus replication by modulating galectin 3 and pro-inflammatory cytokines

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Vitamin D (Vit D), particularly calcitriol, is recognized for bone health, immune modulation, and anti-inflammatory properties.
• While its antiviral potential is noted, the precise mechanisms against viruses like Newcastle disease virus (NDV) remain largely unelucidated.
• NDV is a significant avian pathogen causing widespread infectious diseases in poultry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of calcitriol as an antiviral agent against NDV infection in vitro.
• To explore the underlying mechanisms of calcitriol's antiviral activity, including its effect on host protein modulation and gene expression.

Main Methods:

• Chicken embryo fibroblast cells (DF-1) were infected with NDV and subsequently treated with calcitriol.
• NDV replication was assessed through viral titer measurements in allantoic fluid of treated chicken embryos.
• Gene expression analysis focused on galectin 3, and cytokine profiling was performed on treated DF-1 cells.

Main Results:

• Post-treatment with calcitriol significantly inhibited NDV replication in DF-1 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner.
• Cholecalciferol administration led to a substantial decrease in NDV titer in chicken embryos.
• NDV infection modulated galectin 3 gene expression, and calcitriol treatment, alongside aloe-emodin, upregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Conclusions:

• Calcitriol demonstrates significant antiviral activity against NDV by modulating host proteins involved in viral replication.
• The findings support the potential of calcitriol and vitamin D as alternative antiviral therapeutics for NDV.
• Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the therapeutic potential of vitamin D against NDV.