Genome-wide computational prediction of miRNAs encoded by influenza A virus (H3N2) predicts target genes involved in pulmonary and antiviral innate immunity (opens in new tab)

Influenza A virus (IAV) causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Understanding how viral RNAs may regulate host genes through microRNA-like mechanisms can clarify the pathogenesis and reveal therapeutic targets. In this study, we used an ab initio computational pipeline to analyze eight IAV H3N2 RNA segments (PB2, PB1, PA, HA, NP, NA, M, and NS). Pre-miRNAs were predicted with VMir, and mature miRNAs were identified using MatureBayes. Target genes in the human genome were predict...