The essential role of heparan sulfate in the entry of PDCoV and other porcine coronaviruses

Porcine enteric coronaviruses, including porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV), and transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus (TGEV), can cause acute diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and high mortality in suckling piglets. Recent studies revealing human PDCoV infections and the potential of SADS-CoV to penetrate human cell lines have heightened apprehensions about the zoonotic transmission risks of these viruses. While heparan sulfate (HS) serves as a receptor in PDCoV binding, the key host genes involved in HS biogenesis and the specific molecular mechanisms underlying this process have not been fully examined. Enzymes involved in HS biosynthesis, including SLC35B2, EXT1, and NDST1, were identified as critical host factors via the use of CRISPR-Cas9 knockout cells. Moreover, inhibition assays using heparin sodium, a competitive HS mimic, demonstrated dose-dependent reductions in PDCoV infection in vitro. Additionally, mitoxantrone, an HS-binding drug, reduced PDCoV infection. Furthermore, HS was confirmed to facilitate the entry of other porcine enteric coronaviruses (SeCoVs), including PEDV, SADS-CoV, and TGEV, underscoring the conserved role of HS in CoV pathogenesis. These insights contribute to the understanding of porcine coronavirus–host interactions and support the development of innovative antiviral interventions.