Broad-spectrum inhibition of influenza A virus replication by blocking the nuclear export of viral ribonucleoprotein complexes

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) cause seasonal epidemics and global pandemics, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths annually. The identification of conserved epitopes and the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies are crucial for addressing these challenges. The nucleoprotein (NP) protein of IAV is a key component of the viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complex and is highly conserved in various subtypes. Therefore, the development of vaccines or drugs that target conserved viral proteins such as the NP is promising. We screened Nb7, which specifically recognizes NP and broadly inhibits IAV replication through blocking the nuclear export of vRNP. More importantly, the trans-activating transduction peptide-fused Nb7 has promising effects for the prevention and treatment of IAV infection. Our present study provides novel insight for the further development of broad-spectrum vaccines and anti-influenza drugs.