Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase associated with the common gamma chain that is activated by multiple T-cell growth factors including IL-2, -4, -9, -15, and -21. From the recent reports, genetic absence or ablation of JAK3 is associated with defective T-cell immunity that results in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and pharmacological inhibition has prolonged allograft survival in some models of organ transplantation. This review would provide an overview of some patents along with the role of JAK3 in the immune system and efficacy of JAK3 inhibitors in experimental allograft rejection and autoimmune disease.
Keywords: Tyrosine kinase, allograft, immunodeficiency, transplantation, transplant tolerance