Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) Negative Regulator of Interferon Response (NRIR) is induced along with other Interferon Induced mRNA in primary NK cells of uninfected and HCV infected persons.

Abstract Background Natural Killer cells are thought to participate in control of HCV during the early phase of infection (first 6 months) and during IFN containing HCV therapy. At the same time, IFN resistance underlies wide variability in therapeutic response to IFN containing HCV therapy. We have previously described the lncRNA NRIR to be induced in hepatocytes upon IFNa exposure, and expression of NRIR was found to be responsible for down-modulation of the IFNa response. Whether NRIR is expressed within primary NK cells or participates in the IFN response within these cells has not been known. Methods Here we evaluated freshly isolated and IFNa treated primary human NK cells from 8 uninfected donors and 8 chronic HCV infected donors for NRIR expression by qPCR. Results We found NRIR expression in 100% of freshly isolated NK cells of uninfected donors and 40% of HCV infected donors. Upon IFNa exposure NRIR was greatly induced in 100% of uninfected donor and 67% of HCV infected donor NK cells. Conclusions These data indicate NRIR mediated regulation of the IFN response may be operative in primary NK cells of humans with or without HCV infection. Further studies are needed to determine the effect of NRIR on IFN induced NK cell function.