AUTHOR=Zhang Weixiao , Shen Haiyan , Wang Menglu , Fan Xuelei , Wang Songqi , Wuri Nile , Zhang Bin , He Haiyan , Zhang Chunhong , Liu Zhicheng , Liao Ming , Zhang Jianfeng , Li Yugu , Zhang Jianmin 

TITLE=Fangchinoline inhibits the PEDV replication in intestinal epithelial cells via autophagic flux suppression

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1164851

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2023.1164851

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>Animal and human health are severely threatened by coronaviruses. The enteropathogenic coronavirus, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), is highly contagious, leading to porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), which causes large economic losses in the world's swine industry. Piglets are not protected from emerging PEDV variants; therefore, new antiviral measures for PED control are urgently required. Herein, the anti-PEDV effects and potential mechanisms of fangchinoline (Fan) were investigated. Fan dose-dependently inhibited a PEDV infection at 24 h post-infection (EC<sub>50</sub> value = 0.67 μM). We found that Fan mainly affected the PEDV replication phase but also inhibited PEDV at the attachment and internalization stages of the viral life cycle. Mechanistically, Fan blocked the autophagic flux in PEDV-infected cells by regulating the expression of autophagy-related proteins and changing PEDV virus particles. In summary, Fan inhibits PEDV infection by blocking the autophagic flux in cells. Our findings will help develop new strategies to prevent and treat PEDV infection.</p>