STAT-independent functions of Janus kinases 1 and 2 are obligatory for the postnatal development of mammary epithelial ducts.

Janus kinases 1 and 2 and STAT transcription factors are critical signaling nodes for numerous growth factors. In the mammary gland, JAK2 and STAT5a/b are essential for alveolar cell differentiation and lactation, but little is known about the cooperative roles of JAKs and STATs before pregnancy. We examined female mice conditionally deficient in JAK1/2 and discovered that both kinases jointly regulate epithelial cell proliferation and ductal morphogenesis. To assess the role of downstream STATs, we generated genetic models co-deficient in STAT3/5a/5b with or without STAT1 or JAK1. Although loss of STAT3/5a/5b leads to a JAK1-dependent upregulation of STAT1, the formation of mammary ducts is unaffected by the lack of expression and activation of all seven STAT proteins. Additionally, STAT deficiency impairs the cytokine-induced autophosphorylation of JAK1/2. These findings suggest that mammary duct development is orchestrated by STAT-independent signaling mechanisms of JAK1 and JAK2, potentially beyond their roles as tyrosine kinases.