Modulation of mRNA Translation and Cell Viability by Influenza A Virus Derived Nonstructural Protein 1.

Translation of in vitro transcribed messenger RNA (mRNA) is known to be compromised by cell's innate immune responses. Herein we show that when mRNA encoding nonstructural protein 1 (NS1), an immune evasion gene derived from influenza A virus, is co-delivered with mRNA encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP), higher GFP expression can be observed in four different interferon competent cell types within 6 h, indicating NS1's wide host range property and rapid counter response to the cells' innate immune response. Enhanced mRNA translation correlates with reduced interferon production in all tested cell types and substituting a small portion of luciferase mRNA with NS1 mRNA enhances luciferase production compared to the same dose composing of only luciferase mRNA although in a cell type specific manner.