Transcriptome of equine dermal cells infected with A/equine/Ohio/1/2003 and derived NS1 mutants

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) are typically avian viruses that have important consequences for human and animal health when they establish endemic infections in mammals. Yet, the evolutionary process through which IAVs overcome mammalian host barriers is poorly understood. The main function of the viral non-structural 1 (NS1) protein is to counteract the interferon response, a key component of the host-species barrier. To achieve this, NS1 proteins employ different strategies that vary depending on the IAV strain. While some NS1 proteins effectively block the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns that trigger the transcription of interferon, others block general gene expression and affect the synthesis of interferon and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs).