Hsa-miR-30e-3p inhibits influenza B virus replication by targeting viral NA and NP genes.

Influenza B virus is a member of the Orthomyxoviridae family which can infect humans and causes influenza. Although it is not pandemic like influenza A virus, it nevertheless affects millions of people worldwide annually. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression at posttranscriptional level. They play various important roles in cellular processes including response to viral infection. MiRNA profiles from our previous study suggested that miR-30e-3p was one of the upregulated miRNAs that responded to influenza B virus infection. In this study, in silico prediction and in vitro investigation proved that this miRNA can directly target NA and NP genes of the influenza B virus and inhibit its replication. This finding might be useful for using miRNA as an alternative therapeutics for influenza virus infection.