Use of microrna 146-a in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of picornavirus infection and microran 146-a antagonists

The present invention found that host miRNAs might be involved in Picornavirus pathogenesis through suppression of type I IFNs induction and could act as candidates for developing antiviral therapy. Thus, the invention suggests enterovirus-induced miR-146a facilitates viral pathogenesis by suppressing IFN production and provide a clue to develop the preventive and therapeutic strategies for enterovirus infections.