Evaluation of the Effect of Newcastle Disease Virus on Mouse Spleen Cells and Induction of Mouse T-helper Cell Responses

Introduction: Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly lethal and contagious disease affecting a diverse range of avian species, caused by the Newcastle disease virus (NDV). This study aims to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of NDV on mouse spleen cells and to assess the activation of specific immune responses against NDV mediated by helper T cells. Materials & Methods: NDV isolates evaluated in this study were collected from broiler farms with disease symptoms in Alborz Province. NDV isolates were propagated by inoculation into the allantoic cavity of ten-day-old embryonated eggs. Varying concentrations of the virus were introduced to the leukocytes in the first and second groups, while the third group served as a control, receiving no NDV. Following incubation, the gene expression levels were quantified using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the cytotoxicity of the virus toward the cells was assessed through the MTT assay. Results: The expression levels of the genes GATA۳, T-bet, IL-۴, and IFN-γ did not exhibit significant changes in the group of spleen cells exposed to lower viral concentrations. The evaluation of the cytotoxic effects of NDV on spleen cells revealed no cytotoxic impact in the first passage of the NDV treatment group; however, cytotoxic effects were noted during the second passage, although these results were not statistically significant (P> ۰.۰۵). Conclusion: NDV is capable of activating both cellular and humoral immune responses by stimulating the activation of type ۱ and type ۲ helper T lymphocytes. Moreover, it influences the survival and proliferation of leukocytes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Helper T cells ، Immunity ، Newcastle disease virus (NDV)