Therapeutic and prophylactic activity of itraconazole against human rhinovirus infection in a murine model

Sci Rep. 2016 Mar 15:6:23110. doi: 10.1038/srep23110.

Abstract

Human rhinovirus (HRV) is the most common viral infectious agent in humans and is the predominant cause of the common cold. There is a need for appropriate vaccines or therapeutic agents to treat HRV infection. In this study, we investigated whether itraconazole (ICZ) can protect cells from HRV-induced cytotoxicity. Replication of HRV1B was reduced by ICZ treatment in the lungs of HRV1B- as compared to vehicle-treated mice. The numbers of immune cells, including granulocytes and monocytes, were reduced in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by ICZ administration after HRV1B infection, corresponding to decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine levels in BALF. A histological analysis of lung tissue showed that ICZ suppressed inflammation caused by HRV1B infection. Interestingly, pretreatment of mice with ICZ in the form of a nasal spray had potent prophylactic antiviral activity. Cholesterol accumulation in the plasma membrane was observed upon HRV infection; ICZ blocked cholesterol trafficking to the plasma membrane, as well as resulted in its accumulation in subcellular compartments near the nucleus. These findings suggest that ICZ is a potential antiviral agent for the treatment of HRV infection, which can be adopted preventatively as well as therapeutically.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / chemistry
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cholesterol / metabolism
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Female
  • Itraconazole / pharmacology*
  • Itraconazole / therapeutic use
  • Lung / virology
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Picornaviridae Infections / drug therapy*
  • Picornaviridae Infections / prevention & control*
  • Picornaviridae Infections / virology
  • Rhinovirus / drug effects*
  • Rhinovirus / physiology
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Itraconazole
  • Cholesterol