Crosstalk between vimentin and keratins in viral infection: Implications across the viral life cycle

Intermediate filaments (IFs) have long been regarded as a static scaffold responsible for maintaining cellular structure and integrity. However, recent studies have revealed that IFs, particularly vimentin and keratin, exert a profound and versatile influence on viral infection. In this narrative review, we summarize how these IFs influence multiple stages of the viral life cycle, including attachment/entry, replication, intracellular trafficking, assembly, and egress. We further discuss their contributions to cell-to-cell spread, host immune regulation, and oncogenic processes. Collectively, these findings illustrate how viruses exploit or remodel the IF network to facilitate propagation, and highlight IF – virus interfaces as potential targets for antiviral intervention.