NSP protein encoded in negative NS RNA strand of influenza A virus induces cellular immune response in infected animals

Abstract

Infection of mice with influenza A viruses led to the formation of clones of lymphocytes that specifically recognizes viral domains in the central zone of the NSP protein (amino acid positions 83-119). Computer analysis of the primary structure of the NSP protein showed the presence of T-cell epitopes in the central part of the NSP molecule. The findings indicate that the viral NSP gene is expressed in the infected animals and support the concept of the bipolar strategy (ambisense strategy) of the influenza A virus genome.