Molnupiravir Inhibits Replication of Multiple Strains in Feline Cells.

Pathogens

Laboratory of Veterinary Infectious Disease, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada 034-8628, Aomori, Japan.

Published: August 2025


Category Ranking

98%

Total Visits

921

Avg Visit Duration

2 minutes

Citations

20

Article Abstract

The cross-species spillover of coronaviruses is considered a serious public health risk. Feline coronavirus (FCoV), canine coronavirus (CCoV), and transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) are all classified under and infect companion animals and livestock. Due to their frequent contact with humans, these viruses pose a potential risk of future cross-species transmission. Molnupiravir, a prodrug of N4-hydroxycytidine, exhibits potent antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, a member of the genus, and has been approved for the treatment of COVID-19. Molnupiravir was recently shown to be effective against FCoV, suggesting broad-spectrum antiviral activity across coronavirus lineages. Based on these findings, the present study investigated whether molnupiravir is also effective against CCoV and TGEV, which belong to the same species as FCoV. We examined the in vitro antiviral effects of molnupiravir using four viral strains: FCoV-1 and -2, CCoV-2, and TGEV. Molnupiravir inhibited plaque formation, viral antigen expression, the production of infectious viral particles, and viral RNA replication in a dose-dependent manner in all strains. IC values for CCoV-2 and TGEV, calculated using a feline-derived cell line (fcwf-4), were significantly lower than those for FCoV, suggesting higher sensitivity to molnupiravir. These results demonstrate that molnupiravir exhibited broad antiviral activity against animal coronaviruses classified under , providing a foundation for antiviral strategies to mitigate the future risk of cross-species transmission.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12389489PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14080787DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

antiviral activity
12
molnupiravir
8
cross-species transmission
8
molnupiravir effective
8
fcov suggesting
8
ccov-2 tgev
8
antiviral
5
molnupiravir inhibits
4
inhibits replication
4
replication multiple
4

Similar Publications

The exocyst complex is a heterooctameric protein complex, the individual components of the complex are thought to act on specific biological processes. However, the role of Sec10, the central subunit of the complex, in host defense and viral replication remains unclear. Here, we reported that Sec10 significantly impairs the activation of JAK-STAT signal pathway of type I IFN (IFN-I) response against both DNA- and RNA-viruses, and promotes viral replication, respectively.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

N460S in PB2 and I163T in nucleoprotein synergistically enhance the viral replication and pathogenicity of influenza B virus.

PLoS Pathog

September 2025

State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

Influenza B viruses (IBVs), though often overshadowed by influenza A viruses (IAVs), remain a significant global public health concern, particularly during seasons when they predominate. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying IBV pathogenicity remain largely unknown. In this study, we identified two amino acid substitutions, PB2-N460S and NP-I163T, from IBV clinical isolates with distinct replication and pathogenicity profiles.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants, elicits a remarkably weak innate immune response. This is partly due to type I interferon (IFN) antagonism by the non-structural RSV NS1 protein. It was recently suggested that NS1 could modulate host transcription via an interaction with the MED25 subunit of the Mediator complex.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Coronavirus, a large family of positive-sense RNA viruses, are responsible for both mild and severe respiratory illnesses, ranging from the common cold to life-threatening conditions. Despite significant advances in vaccine and antiviral development, the high mutability of human coronaviruses (HCoVs), such as SARS-CoV-2, presents a major challenge in treating these infections. Effective, broad-spectrum antiviral drugs are urgently needed to address both current and future HCoV outbreaks.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Activation of PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint by Zika virus.

PLoS Pathog

September 2025

School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.

Zika virus (ZIKV) has emerged as a rising concern in global health in recent years. The role of PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint in acute ZIKV infection remains to be understood. In this study we demonstrated the activation of PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint by ZIKV.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF