Influenza virus antagonizes self-sensing by RIG-I to enhance viral replication.

Influenza virus nucleoprotein (NP) antagonizes RIG-I activation by host RNA polymerase III–transcribed non-coding RNAs, linked to suppressed viral replication.

• Why it matters: Innate sensors like RIG-I must avoid reacting to self RNAs, yet still detect infection; influenza appears to exploit this balance to control antiviral signaling.
• What they did: The study shows RIG-I binds and is activated by host non-coding RNAs, then demonstrates influenza NP binds these RNAs and engages RIG-I through an RNA bridge.
• The result: By disrupting RIG-I activation by self RNAs during influenza infection, the viral countermeasure enables enhanced viral replication and clarifies how self-sensing can amplify antiviral responses.

AI summary of the abstract · may contain errors · not medical advice · read the paper.