siRNAs pools generated in Escherichia coli exhibit strong RNA-interference activity against influenza virus genomic sequences.

Due to the recurrent pandemic outbreaks that occurred during the last century, Influenza A viruses are considered a serious potential danger to human health. Among the innate immune pathways in eukaryotes, RNA interference plays a significant role in the interaction between viruses and host cells. RNA interference is addressed by small dsRNA molecules produced by the host itself (miRNAs, i.e. "micro-RNAs") but can be triggered also by the administration of exogenous short RNAs (siRNAs, "short interfering RNAs"). In this work, artificial siRNA pools targeting NP and PB genomic regions of the Influenza virus were produced in engineered Escherichia coli , adapting a published protocol. In a MDCK cell in vitro model, these preparations were challenged against reporter vectors bearing viral genomic sequences. A strong and specific RNA interference activity was observed, and the details of this action were indagated. [Display omitted] • siRNA pools targeting the genome of Influenza virus were generated and extracted from engineered E. coli. • The activity of siRNA pools and a synthetic siRNA was compared in an MDCK in vitro model using luciferase reporters. • This approach allowed to dissect their interaction with the viral target, assessing a substantial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]