Antiviral activity of Vigna radiata extract against feline coronavirus in vitro.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal illness caused by a mutated feline coronavirus (FCoV). This disease is characterized by its complexity, resulting from systemic infection, antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE), and challenges in accessing effective therapeutics. Extract derived from Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek (VRE) exhibits various pharmacological effects, including antiviral activity. This study aimed to investigate the antiviral potential of VRE against FCoV, addressing the urgent need to advance the treatment of FIP. We explored the anti-FCoV activity, antiviral mechanism, and combinational application of VRE by means of in vitro antiviral assays. Our findings reveal that VRE effectively inhibited the cytopathic effect induced by FCoV, reduced viral proliferation, and downregulated spike protein expression. Moreover, VRE blocked FCoV in the early and late infection stages and was effective under in vitro ADE infection. Notably, when combined with VRE, the polymerase inhibitor GS-441524 or protease inhibitor GC376 suppressed FCoV more effectively than monotherapy. In conclusion, this study characterizes the antiviral property of VRE against FCoV in vitro, and VRE possesses therapeutic potential for FCoV treatment.

Feather Evolution from Precocial to Altricial Birds.

Birds are the most abundant terrestrial vertebrates and their diversity is greatly shaped by the feathers. How avian evolution is linked to feather evolution has long been a fascinating question. Numerous excellent studies have shed light on this complex relationship by investigating feather diversity and its underlying molecular mechanisms. However, most have focused on adult domestic birds, and the contribution of feather diversity to environmental adaptation has not been well-studied. In this review, we described bird diversity using the traditional concept of the altricial-precocial spectrum in bird hatchlings. We combined the spectrum with a recently published avian phylogeny to profile the spectrum evolution. We then focused on the discrete diagnostic character of the spectrum, the natal down, and propose a hypothesis for the precocial-to-altricial evolution. For the underlying molecular mechanisms in feather diversity and bird evolution, we reviewed the literature and constructed the known mechanisms for feather tract definition and natal down development. Finally, we suggested some future directions for research on altricial-precocial divergence, which may expand our understanding of the relationship between natal down diversity and bird evolution.