The Dynamic Role of Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins in the Regulation of Immune and Autoimmune Responses

The suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family of intracellular proteins are highly conserved among vertebrate species, and present within invertebrate species such as the fruitfly, thus underscoring their importance in the regulation of biological functions. Since their original discovery in the late 1990’s, the critical role of SOCS proteins in the regulation of the vertebrate immune response has gradually emerged. On a most basic level, the SOCS protein family (containing SOCS1-SOCS7 and cytokine-inducible SH2 protein, CIS) plays an intricate role in limiting cellular responsiveness to cytokine signaling through inhibiting kinase function and targeting intracellular machinery for proteosomal degradation. However, revelations that cytokines themselves differentially regulate SOCS proteins levels, combined with the critical role of SOCS proteins in the prevention of autoimmune disease, and implications that various microorganisms utilize SOCS protein up-regulation as an immune evasion strategy, firmly place this protein family front and center as a critical regulator of immunity.

In this timely Frontiers Research Topic several research leaders will share insights into the role of SOCS proteins in the regulation immune functions on topics ranging from intracellular regulation, to T cell plasticity, to modulation of human infections and autoimmunity. As such, we have titled the Research Topic as, “The Dynamic Role of Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins in the Regulation of Immune and Autoimmune Responses.”