The applications of live attenuated influenza a virus with modified NS1 gene

Currently, the most effective strategy to prevent influenza is vaccination. While the traditional inactivated influenza vaccine demonstrates favorable safety and effectiveness, live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) offers unique advantages. It has the capability to mimic natural infection through nasal administration and can be quickly prepared in the event of an influenza pandemic. The NS gene, encoding non-structural protein 1 (NS1) and nuclear export protein (NEP), represents the eighth segment of the influenza virus (FluV) genome and plays a crucial role in suppressing host cell interferon production and regulating the nuclear export process of ribonucleoprotein complex during FluV replication. Therefore, the NS gene has gradually become a key target for the development of LAIV in recent years. Manipulating the FluV genome using reverse genetics technology holds promise for enhancing its efficacy and safety as a vaccine vector against respiratory infectious diseases as well as an anti-tumor biological agent. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the research progress in utilizing modified NS FluV as live attenuated vaccines against influenza. Additionally, this review also explores the potential of using FluV with modified NS as vaccine vector for other infectious diseases and as gene therapy tool against tumors.