What is the oligoadenylate synthetases-like protein and does it have therapeutic potential for influenza?

Abstract

Besides its pandemic potential, seasonal influenza infection is associated with an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 deaths worldwide every year. Part of this virulence of influenza virus can be attributed to its ability to evade the host innate immune response. Here, we discuss the possibility of using a recently described mechanism of boosting the innate immunity by oligoadenylate synthetase-like protein, to combat influenza infections.