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Review
. 2021 Sep 7;10(9):1150.
doi: 10.3390/pathogens10091150.

Feline Coronavirus Antivirals: A Review

Manon Delaplace  1 , Hélène Huet  1 , Adèle Gambino  1 , Sophie Le Poder  1
Affiliations
Review

Feline Coronavirus Antivirals: A Review

Manon Delaplace et al. Pathogens. .

Abstract

Feline coronaviruses (FCoV) are common viral pathogens of cats. They usually induce asymptomatic infections but some FCoV strains, named Feline Infectious Peritonitis Viruses (FIPV) lead to a systematic fatal disease, the feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). While no treatments are approved as of yet, numerous studies have been explored with the hope to develop therapeutic compounds. In recent years, two novel molecules (GS-441524 and GC376) have raised hopes given the encouraging results, but some concerns about the use of these molecules persist, such as the fear of the emergence of viral escape mutants or the difficult tissue distribution of these antivirals in certain affected organs. This review will summarize current findings and leads in the development of antiviral therapy against FCoV both in vitro and in vivo, with the description of their mechanisms of action when known. It highlights the molecules, which could have a broader effect on different coronaviruses. In the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the development of antivirals is an urgent need and FIP could be a valuable model to help this research area.

Keywords: FIPV; antivirals; combination therapy; feline coronavirus; viral escape mutants.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
FCoV life cycle and mechanisms of actions of current FIPV antivirals. Letters A–F represent major steps of FIPV replication: (A) Attachment to cell and endocytosis. (B) Liberation of Ribonucleocapsid following fusion of viral and cell membranes and decapsidation. (C) Transcription of viral RNAs and creation of Replication/Transcription Complex. (D) Translation of the viral structural proteins. (E) Assembly of virion in the endoplasmic reticulum or Golgi apparatus. (F) Budding of virus in the ERGIC and exocytosis. HHA: Hippeastrum hybrid agglutinin; UDA: Urtica dioica Lectin; GNA: Galanthus nivalis agglutinin; TFO: Triple Helix Forming Oligonucleotides. Created with Biorender.
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