4-Octyl itaconate (4-OI), activating the Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-related pathway, enhanced antioxidant defenses and inhibited pro-inflammatory responses upon viral infections, holding potential for antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2 (Olagnier et al., 2020). Here, NFE2L2 is linked to viral infectious disease.