Janus kinases (JAKs) are key players in the innate immune response and inflammation, catalysing the phosphorylation of STAT proteins, which ultimately leads to the expression of pro-inflammatory and antimicrobial genes. In this context, specific inhibitors of JAK kinases, or JAKis, have been extensively developed, with some already in clinical use for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the interactions between JAK kinases and viral replication appear to be far more complex than initially expected, with some JAKis showing unexpected antiviral properties against different classes of viruses. This mini review summarizes current knowledge about the interactions between JAK proteins and viral infections and discusses the antiviral potential of JAK inhibitors in the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.
Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier B.V.