# Modulation of antiviral responses against influenza infection by long non-coding RNAs

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2020 · $234,922

## Abstract

Project Summary
In this grant, we propose to define functions of a subset of lncRNAs that are modulated by interferon, toll-like
receptors and influenza infection. We utilized transcriptome sequencing of pDCs treated with type I interferon
and TLR7 agonist R848, and R848 together with IFN-I blockade to identify 48 lncRNAs that are differentially
regulated upon immune stimulation and during influenza infections. Based on pathway analysis, we
hypothesize that these lncRNAs could interact with signaling molecules, transcription factors or antiviral genes
to modulate antiviral function during influenza infection. However, very few lncRNAs have been investigated in
the context of influenza infection. Using nickase deficient Cas9 system, we will induce the expression of these
lncRNA during viral infection and screen for innate immune, antiviral responses as well as their effect on viral
entry or egress pathways. To identify the functions for this subset of lncRNAs, we will utilize an MS2-MBP pull
downs and mass spec to identify protein binding partners to these lncRNAs. This proposal has the potential to
identify functions of lncRNAs that could orchestrate antiviral immunity during influenza infection.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9986687
- **Project number:** 5R21AI147177-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Ram Savan
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $234,922
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-01 → 2021-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9986687

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9986687, Modulation of antiviral responses against influenza infection by long non-coding RNAs (5R21AI147177-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9986687. Licensed CC0.

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