No abstract

We examine the IFN-␣͞␤-independent activation of cellular transcription that constitutes an early antiviral response of cells against influenza A and B viruses, which cause widespread epidemics in humans. We show that influenza B virus induces the synthesis in human cells of several mature mRNAs encoded by genes containing an IFN-␣͞␤-stimulated response element (ISRE). Consequently, the IFN regulatory factor-3 transcription factor, which is required for the transcription of ISRE-controlled genes, is activated after influenza B virus infection. The production of these cellular mRNAs, some of which encode antiviral proteins, is independent of not only IFN-␣͞␤, but also viral protein synthesis. These mature cellular antiviral mRNAs are not produced after infection with influenza A virus, but IFN regulatory factor-3 is activated and the transcription of the ISRE-controlled p56 gene is induced. Consequently, like other newly synthesized cellular premRNAs in influenza A virusinfected cells, the posttranscriptional processing of premRNAs encoded by ISRE-controlled genes is inhibited. Previous work has established that such posttranscriptional inhibition is mediated by the viral NS1A protein. This unique, global countermeasure against the early, IFN-␣͞␤-independent antiviral response of cells may be an important factor in the pathogenicity of influenza A virus infection.

Mindset interventions can promote diversity in STEM but require customization. A customization protocol was developed and used to create a “peer-modeled” mindset intervention for introductory biology. Underrepresented students randomly assigned to receive the intervention reported better psychological experiences and earned more “A’s” in the class than those assigned to a control condition.