Cloning and characterization of novel CIS family genes

Regulation of cytokine signaling and inflammation

Inflammation progresses by the action of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1 (IL-1), the tumor necrosis factor (TNF), gamma-interferon (IFNgamma), IL-12, IL-18, and the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and is resolved by anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IFNalpha, and the transforming growth factor (TGF)beta. The intracellular signal transduction pathways of these cytokines have been studied extensively, and these pathways ultimately activate transcription factors, such as NF-kappaB, Smad, and STATs. Recently, the negative-feedback regulation of these pathways has been identified. In this review, we provide examples of the relationship between cytokine signal transduction, negative-signal regulation, and inflammatory disease models. Furthermore, we illustrate several approaches for treating inflammatory diseases by modulating extracellular and intracellular signaling pathways.

Preparation and expression of biologically active prolactin and growth hormone receptors and suppressor of cytokine signaling proteins 1, 2, 3, and 6 tagged with cyan and yellow fluorescent proteins

To prepare reagents for a study of the interactions of prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) receptors (Rs) with suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins in living cells by fluorescence resonance energy transfer methodology, the respective proteins were tagged with cyan (CFP) or yellow (YFP) fluorescent protein. Constructs encoding ovine (o)PRLR-YFP, oPRLR-CFP, oGHR-YFP, and oGHR-CFP tagged downstream of the receptor DNA were prepared in the plasmid pcDNA plasmid and tested for biological activity in HEK 293T cells transiently cotransfected with those constructs and the reporter gene encoding luciferase. All four constructs were biologically active and as potent as their untagged counterparts. Cells transfected with those proteins exhibited fluorescence in the cytoplasm and the membrane. Constructs encoding DNA tagged with YFP or CFP upstream of SOCS1, SOCS2, SOCS3, and SOCS6 were prepared in pECFP-C1 and pEYFP-C1 plasmids. The biological activities of SOCS1 and SOCS3 tagged at their amino termini were assayed by their ability to inhibit placental lactogen (PL)- or GH-induced activation of JAK2/STAT5-mediated luciferase transcription in HEK 293T cells; the activity of SOCS2 was assayed by its ability to abolish SOCS1-induced inhibition. The tagged proteins exhibited biological activity that was equal to or even more potent than their untagged counterparts. The biological activities of CFP-SOCS2 and YFP-SOCS2 were also assayed using GST-GHR binding assay. Their interaction with the cytosolic domain of GHR was equivalent to their respective untagged counterparts. The biological activity of the construct encoding SOCS6 was not tested because of lack of a suitable assay. Cells transfected with eight of these tagged constructs expressed the fluorescent proteins in both the nucleus and cytosol; the tagged SOCS2 was localized mostly in the latter compartment.

Suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 is recruited to the activated granulocyte-colony stimulating factor receptor and modulates its signal transduction

G-CSF is a polypeptide growth factor used in treatment following chemotherapy. G-CSF regulates granulopoiesis and acts on its target cells by inducing homodimerization of the G-CSFR, thereby activating intracellular signaling cascades. The G-CSFR encompasses four tyrosine motifs on its cytoplasmic tail that have been shown to recruit a number of regulatory proteins. Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS-3), also referred to as cytokine-inducible Src homolgy 2-containing protein 3, is a member of a recently discovered family of feedback inhibitors that have been shown to inhibit the Janus kinase/STAT pathway. In this study, we demonstrate that human SOCS-3 is rapidly induced by G-CSF in polymorphonuclear neutrophils as well as in the myeloid precursor cell line U937 and that SOCS-3 negatively regulates G-CSFR-mediated STAT activation. Most importantly, we show that SOCS-3 is recruited to the G-CSFR in a phosphorylation-dependent manner and we identify phosphotyrosine (pY)729 as the major recruitment site for SOCS-3. Furthermore, we demonstrate that SOCS-3 directly binds to this pY motif. Surface plasmon resonance analysis reveals a dissociation constant (K(D)) for this interaction of around 2.8 microM. These findings strongly suggest that the recruitment of SOCS-3 to pY729 is important for the modulation of G-CSFR-mediated signal transduction by SOCS-3.

Recombinant human CIS2 (SOCS2) protein: subcloning, expression, purification, and characterization

The 1x myc-tagged cDNA encoding for human CIS2 protein was subcloned into a pET-29a+ vector in order to express and produce a recombinant S-peptide tagged and 1x myc-tagged protein in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The constitutively expressed protein was isolated from inclusion bodies by a simple solubilization-renaturation procedure and purified by anion-exchange chromatography on Q-Sepharose. The recombinant form was found to be pure and monomeric as judged by both SDS-PAGE and gel-filtration chromatography and its biological activity was proven by its ability to bind to the tyrosine-phosphorylated cytosolic fragment of human growth hormone receptor fused to glutathione-S-transferase. Recombinant CIS2 was compared by biochemical, immunological, and molecular methods to the CIS2 protein expressed in eukaryotic cells. This report describes the first substantial production of biologically active recombinant human CIS2.

SOCS-6 binds to insulin receptor substrate 4, and mice lacking the SOCS-6 gene exhibit mild growth retardation

SOCS-6 is a member of the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family of proteins (SOCS-1 to SOCS-7 and CIS) which each contain a central SH2 domain and a carboxyl-terminal SOCS box. SOCS-1, SOCS-2, SOCS-3, and CIS act to negatively regulate cytokine-induced signaling pathways; however, the actions of SOCS-4, SOCS-5, SOCS-6, and SOCS-7 remain less clear. Here we have used both biochemical and genetic approaches to examine the action of SOCS-6. We found that SOCS-6 and SOCS-7 are expressed ubiquitously in murine tissues. Like other SOCS family members, SOCS-6 binds to elongins B and C through its SOCS box, suggesting that it might act as an E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets proteins bound to its SH2 domain for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. We investigated the binding specificity of the SOCS-6 and SOCS-7 SH2 domains and found that they preferentially bound to phosphopeptides containing a valine in the phosphotyrosine (pY) +1 position and a hydrophobic residue in the pY +2 and pY +3 positions. In addition, these SH2 domains interacted with a protein complex consisting of insulin receptor substrate 4 (IRS-4), IRS-2, and the p85 regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. To investigate the physiological role of SOCS-6, we generated mice lacking the SOCS-6 gene. SOCS-6(-/-) mice were born in a normal Mendelian ratio, were fertile, developed normally, and did not exhibit defects in hematopoiesis or glucose homeostasis. However, both male and female SOCS-6(-/-) mice weighed approximately 10% less than wild-type littermates.

Regulation and function of the cytokine-inducible SH-2 domain proteins, CIS and SOCS3, in mammary epithelial cells

The cytokine-inducible src homology 2 (SH-2) proteins, CIS (cytokine inducible SH-2 domain protein) and SOCS3 (suppressor of cytokine signaling 3), are implicated in the negative regulation of prolactin (PRL) receptor-mediated activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5). We have studied the expression and function of CIS and SOCS3 proteins in the mouse mammary gland and in HC11 mammary epithelial cells. CIS and SOCS3 were differentially regulated: high expression levels of CIS mRNA were measured during the second half of pregnancy, whereas SOCS3 expression was high during the first 12 d post conceptum. SOCS3 levels increased, whereas CIS levels decreased, in the initial phase of involution. At the beginning of the lactation period both CIS and SOCS3 were high. PRL and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were able to induce CIS and SOCS3, whereas glucocorticoids inhibited their expression in mammary epithelial cells. The effect of EGF was much stronger on SOCS3 than on CIS. Ectopic expression of both SOCS3 and CIS inhibited STAT5 activation. Our data indicate that in the mammary gland CIS and SOCS3 are involved in regulating STAT5 signaling at three different instances: 1) SOCS3 serves as a mediator of the inhibitory EGF effect on PRL-induced STAT5 activation; 2) CIS and SOCS3 play a role as negative feedback inhibitors of PRL action; 3) Inhibition of CIS and SOCS3 expression by glucocorticoids contributes to the positive effect of glucocorticoids on PRL-induced STAT5 activation.

Involvement of suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 as a mediator of the inhibitory effects of IL-10 on lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophage activation

Previous studies have shown that IL-10 can induce the expression of the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS-3) mRNA in human monocytes and neutrophils, suggesting that the capacity of IL-10 to inhibit the expression of LPS-inducible proinflammatory genes may depend on SOCS-3 induction. However, no direct experimental evidence has been provided to support such hypothesis. Herein, we show that stable transfection of SOCS-3 into the mouse macrophage cell line J774 resulted in an inhibition of NO, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and GM-CSF secretion in response to LPS at levels similar to those exerted by IL-10 in LPS-stimulated wild-type J774. Constitutive SOCS-3 expression also down-regulated the mRNA expression of inducible NO synthase and IL-6 and impaired the production of TNF-alpha, mainly at a post-transcriptional level. In addition, SOCS-3-transfected cells displayed a constitutive expression of the IL-1R antagonist gene, consistent with the observation that IL-10 enhances IL-1R antagonist mRNA in LPS-stimulated wild-type cells. Furthermore, in peritoneal macrophages harvested from mice carrying heterozygous disruption of the SOCS-3 gene, IL-10 was less effective in repressing LPS-stimulated TNF-alpha and NO production. Taken together, our data show that SOCS-3 inhibits LPS-induced macrophage activation, strongly supporting the idea that it plays a role in the molecular mechanism by which IL-10 down-modulates the effector functions of LPS-activated macrophages. Finally, we show that forced expression of SOCS-3 significantly suppresses the ability of IL-10 to trigger tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3. Therefore, SOCS-3 functions both as an LPS signal inhibitor and as a negative feedback regulator of IL-10/STAT3 signaling.

The paradigm of IL-6: from basic science to medicine

IL-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine with a wide range of biological activities in immune regulation, hematopoiesis, inflammation, and oncogenesis. Its activities are shared by IL-6-related cytokines such as leukemia inhibitory factor and oncostatin M. The pleiotropy and redundancy of IL-6 functions have been identified by using a unique receptor system comprising two functional proteins: an IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) and gp130, the common signal transducer of cytokines related to IL-6. Signal transduction through gp130 is mediated by two pathways: the JAK-STAT (Janus family tyrosine kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription) pathway and the Ras mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. The negative regulators of IL-6 signaling have also been identified, although the physiological roles of the molecules are not yet fully understood. The pathological roles of IL-6 have also been clarified in various disease conditions, such as inflammatory, autoimmune, and malignant diseases. On the basis of the findings, a new therapeutic approach to block the IL-6 signal using humanized anti-IL-6R antibody for rheumatoid arthritis, Castleman's disease, and multiple myeloma has been attempted.

A new high affinity binding site for suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 on the erythropoietin receptor

Erythropoietin (Epo) is a hematopoietic cytokine that is crucial for the differentiation and proliferation of erythroid progenitor cells. Epo acts on its target cells by inducing homodimerization of the erythropoietin receptor (EpoR), thereby triggering intracellular signaling cascades. The EpoR encompasses eight tyrosine motifs on its cytoplasmic tail that have been shown to recruit a number of regulatory proteins. Recently, the feedback inhibitor suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS-3), also referred to as cytokine-inducible SH2-containing protein 3 (CIS-3), has been shown to act on Epo signaling by both binding to the EpoR and the EpoR-associated Janus kinase 2 (Jak2) [Sasaki, A., Yasukawa, H., Shouda, T., Kitamura, T., Dikic, I. & Yoshimura, A. (2000) J. Biol. Chem 275, 29338-29347]. In this study tyrosine 401 was identified as a binding site for SOCS-3 on the EpoR. Here we show that human SOCS-3 binds to pY401 with a Kd of 9.5 microm while another EpoR tyrosine motif, pY429pY431, can also interact with SOCS-3 but with a ninefold higher affinity than we found for the previously reported motif pY401. In addition, SOCS-3 binds the double phosphorylated motif pY429pY431 more potently than the respective singly phosphorylated tyrosines indicating a synergistic effect of these two tyrosine residues with respect to SOCS-3 binding. Surface plasmon resonance analysis, together with peptide precipitation assays and model structures of the SH2 domain of SOCS-3 complexed with EpoR peptides, provide evidence for pY429pY431 being a new high affinity binding site for SOCS-3 on the EpoR.

Activation of signal transducer and activator transcription 3 and expression of suppressor of cytokine signal 1 during liver regeneration in rats

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Recent work has shown that the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 activation is important for the initiation of the proliferative response following partial hepatectomy (PH). However, the issue of where STAT3 is activated and how it is regulated is unclear. The aims of this study were to identify STAT3-activated cells and to clarify the expression of suppressor of cytokine signal (SOCS), a negative feedback molecule of STAT3, after PH.

METHODS

STAT3-activated cells and SOCS1-positive cells were identified by immunohistochemistry after a two-thirds PH in rats. SOCS mRNA was examined by Northern analysis.

RESULTS

STAT3 was activated in hepatocytes from those localized in the periportal zones of hepatic lobules after PH. STAT3 activation was also detected in Kupffer cells and sinusoidal endothelial cells prior to its detection in hepatocytes. After STAT3 activation, SOCS1 protein in response to PH was detected immunohistochemically in regenerating liver. SOCS1 and SOCS3 mRNA were induced in regenerating liver after PH.

CONCLUSIONS

STAT3 signaling can occur in Kupffer cells and sinusoidal endothelial cells prior to in hepatocytes from those localized in the periportal zones. SOCS1 as well as SOCS3 may regulate STAT3 signaling negatively after PH.

Overexpression of SOCS-2 in advanced stages of chronic myeloid leukemia: possible inadequacy of a negative feedback mechanism

Constitutive activation of the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase is fundamental to the pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). STI571 inhibits this activity and modulates the transcription of several genes. It was shown by differential display that the suppressor of cytokine signaling-2 (SOCS-2) gene was down-regulated by STI571 treatment in 14 of 16 BCR-ABL-positive cell lines and in 2 BCR-ABL-transfected murine lines, but not in BCR-ABL-negative counterparts. The effect was maximal at 2 hours and persisted for at least 24 hours after exposure to 1 microM STI571, whereas SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 expression were unaffected. Baseline levels of SOCS-2 were significantly higher in BCR-ABL-positive as compared with BCR-ABL-negative cell lines. It was similar in leukocytes and CD34(+) cells from healthy persons (n = 44) and patients with CML in chronic phase (CP; n = 60) but significantly increased in patients with CML in blast crisis (BC; n = 20) (P <.0001). Mononuclear cells (MNCs) from 3 of 4 patients with CML in BC showed a 2-fold to 12-fold down-regulation of SOCS-2 levels on in vitro exposure to STI571; moreover, a 2-fold to 11-fold decrease in SOCS-2 was observed in MNCs from 7 of 8 patients with CML in BC who responded to treatment with STI571. Refractoriness to STI571 or relapse after initial response was accompanied by augmentation of SOCS-2 expression. Ectopic overexpression of SOCS-2 in 32Dp210 cells slowed growth, inhibited clonogenicity, and increased their motility and sensitivity to STI571. Overall, the results suggest that SOCS-2 is a component of a negative feedback mechanism; it is induced by Bcr-Abl but cannot reverse its overall growth-promoting effects in blastic transformation.

Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS): inhibitors of the JAK/STAT pathway

The suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) are recently identified inhibitors of cytokine and growth factor (GF) signaling that act via the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) pathway. Cytokine-mediated JAK/STAT signaling controls a number of important biologic responses, including immune function, cellular growth, differentiation, and hematopoieses. The SOCS family consists of eight proteins: CIS and SOCS1-SOCS7, which contain a central SH2 domain, a conserved C-terminus referred to as the SOCS box, and a unique N-terminus. The expression of SOCS-1 to -3 and CIS is induced by cytokine or GF stimulation, resulting in the inhibition of JAK/STAT-mediated cytokine signaling by what appears to be a classic negative feedback loop. In this article we review cytokine/GF signaling by the JAK/STAT pathway, discovery of the SOCS family, the regulation of SOCS expression, mechanism(s) of SOCS action, and we summarize some of the biochemical and genetic studies investigating the physiologic role of SOCS in regulating cytokine activity.

Regulation of Socs gene expression by the proto-oncoprotein GFI-1B: two routes for STAT5 target gene induction by erythropoietin

SOCS proteins take part in a classical negative feedback loop to attenuate cytokine signaling. Although STAT family members positively modulate Socs gene expression, little else is known about Socs gene regulation. Here, we identify functional binding sites for GFI-1B, a proto-oncogenic transcriptional repressor, in the promoters of murine Socs1 and Socs3. Thus, mutating these sites relieved transcriptional repression, as determined by luciferase reporter assays of transiently transfected erythropoietin-responsive 32D-EpoR and HCD57 cells. Furthermore, cotransfection of Gfi-1B expression plasmid repressed reporter activity of wild-type (but not mutagenized) Socs1 and Socs3 promoters, strongly suggestive of direct GFI-1B binding to these promoters. In addition, overexpression of Gfi-1B resulted in reduced transcript levels of Socs1 and Socs3, but not Socs2 or Cis. Upon stimulation with erythropoietin, Socs transcripts were rapidly induced, whereas Gfi-1B mRNA was down-regulated. Interestingly, the latter effect appears to rely on STAT5 activity, but not on phosphoinositide 3-kinase or MAPK pathways. Thus, cytokine-mediated STAT5 activation allows relief of direct repression by GFI-1B of the Socs1 and Socs3 promoters, but apparently not of the Socs2 and Cis promoters. This constitutes a previously undescribed mode of controlling cytokine responsiveness, through the direct repression of a tumor suppressor (SOCS1) by a proto-oncoprotein (GFI-1B).

SOCS proteins: negative regulators of cytokine signaling

Cytokines regulate the growth and differentiation of cells by binding to cell-surface receptors and activating intracellular signal transduction cascades such as the JAK-STAT pathway. Cytokine signaling is negatively regulated with respect to both magnitude and duration, and it is now clear that the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family of proteins (SOCS1-SOCS7 and CIS) contributes significantly to this process. Transcripts encoding CIS, SOCS1, SOCS2, and SOCS3 are upregulated in response to cytokine stimulation, and the corresponding SOCS proteins inhibit cytokine-induced signaling pathways. SOCS proteins therefore form part of a classical negative feedback circuit. SOCS family members modulate signaling by several mechanisms, which include inactivation of the Janus kinases (JAKs), blocking access of the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) to receptor binding sites, and ubiquitination of signaling proteins and their subsequent targeting to the proteasome. Gene targeting has been used to generate mice lacking socs1, socs2, or socs3, in order to elucidate the physiological function of these SOCS family members. The analysis of socs1(-/-) mice has revealed that SOCS1 plays a key role in the negative regulation of interferon-gamma signaling and in T cell differentiation. Socs2(-/-) mice are 30%-40% larger than wild-type mice, demonstrating that SOCS2 is a critical regulator of postnatal growth. Additionally, the study of embryos lacking socs3 has revealed that SOCS3 is an important regulator of fetal liver hematopoiesis. The biological role of other SOCS proteins remains to be determined.

Cytokine-inducible SH2-containing protein suppresses PRL signaling by binding the PRL receptor

Inhibition of PRL hormone signaling by suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)/cytokine-inducible SH2-containing protein (CIS) was investigated in transfected HEK 293 cells. We used the physiologically relevant wild-type beta-casein promoter as a target gene for PRL action. We demonstrate that CIS produces a 70% inhibition of PRL signaling by a mechanism distinct from, and downstream of, the effect of SOCS-1 on JAK2. This inhibition involves association with the PRL receptor (PRLR), resulting in the inhibition of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) activation. Further, we show that SOCS-3 coimmunoprecipitates with the PRLR. These data suggest that SOCS-3 involves a second pathway for the inhibition of PRL signaling other than JAK2 inhibition. Additional results indicate that SOCS-2 can play a more important potentiator role on PRL signaling, resulting in a restoration of 50% of transcriptional inhibition induced by SOCS-3 and a restoration of 100% of transcriptional inhibition induced by CIS. SOCS-2 was able to block the inhibitory effect of SOCS-1. These results indicate that SOCS-2 seems to be an antagonist of the other SOCS. SOCS-1 binds JAK2 and inhibits its phosphorylation; SOCS-3 does not bind JAK2 but binds the PRLR that may mediate its inhibition of JAK2; and finally, CIS binds the PRLR but inhibits signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 rather than JAK2.

Suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 is a biomechanical stress-inducible gene that suppresses gp130-mediated cardiac myocyte hypertrophy and survival pathways

The gp130 cytokine receptor activates a cardiomyocyte survival pathway during the transition to heart failure following the biomechanical stress of pressure overload. Although gp130 activation is observed transiently during transverse aortic constriction (TAC), its mechanism of inactivation is largely unknown in cardiomyocytes. We show here that suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), an intrinsic inhibitor of JAK, shows biphasic induction in response to TAC. The induction of SOCS3 was closely correlated with STAT3 phosphorylation, as well as the activation of an embryonic gene program, suggesting that cardiac gp130-JAK signaling is precisely controlled by this endogenous suppressor. In addition to its cytoprotective action, gp130-dependent signaling induces cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of SOCS3 to ventricular cardiomyocytes completely suppressed both hypertrophy and antiapoptotic phenotypes induced by leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). To our knowledge, this is the first clear evidence that these two separate cardiomyocyte phenotypes induced by gp130 activation lie downstream of JAK. Three independent signaling pathways, STAT3, MEK1-ERK1/2, and AKT activation, that are coinduced by LIF stimulation were completely suppressed by SOCS3 overexpression. We conclude that SOCS3 is a mechanical stress-inducible gene in cardiac muscle cells and that it directly modulates stress-induced gp130 cytokine receptor signaling as the key molecular switch for a negative feedback circuit for both myocyte hypertrophy and survival.

The SOCS box of suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 is important for inhibition of cytokine action in vivo

Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling-1 (SOCS-1) is an essential physiological inhibitor of IFN-gamma signaling. Mice lacking this gene die in the early postnatal period from a disease characterized by hyperresponsiveness to endogenous IFN-gamma. The SOCS box is a C-terminal domain shared with over 30 other proteins that links SOCS proteins to an E3 ubiquitin ligase activity and the proteasome, but whether it contributes to inhibition of cytokine signaling is currently disputed. We have deleted only the SOCS box of the SOCS-1 gene in mice and show that such mice have an increased responsiveness to IFN-gamma and slowly develop a fatal inflammatory disease. These results demonstrate that deletion of the SOCS box leads to a partial loss of function of SOCS-1.

A mutant form of JAB/SOCS1 augments the cytokine-induced JAK/STAT pathway by accelerating degradation of wild-type JAB/CIS family proteins through the SOCS-box

Cytokines exert biological functions by activating Janus tyrosine kinases (JAKs), and JAK inhibitors JAB (also referred to as SOCS1 and SSI1) and CIS3 (SOCS3) play an essential role in the negative regulation of cytokine signaling. We have found that transgenic (Tg) mice expressing a mutant JAB (F59D-JAB) exhibited a more potent STAT3 activation and a more severe colitis than did wild-type littermates after treatment with dextran sulfate sodium. We now find that there is a prolonged activation of JAKs and STATs in response to a number of cytokines in T cells from Tg mice with lck promoter-driven F59D-JAB. Overexpression of F59D-JAB also sustained activation of JAK2 in Ba/F3 cells. These data suggested that F59D-JAB up-regulated STAT activity by sustaining JAK activation. To elucidate molecular mechanisms related to F59D-JAB, we analyzed the effects of F59D-JAB on the JAK/STAT pathway using the 293 cell transient expression system. We found that the C-terminal SOCS-box played an essential role in augmenting cytokine signaling by F59D-JAB. The SOCS-box interacted with the Elongin BC complex, and this interaction stabilized JAB. F59D-JAB induced destabilization of wild-type JAB, whereas overexpression of Elongin BC canceled this effect. Levels of endogenous JAB and CIS3 in T cells from F59D-JAB Tg-mouse were lower than in wild-type mice. We propose that F59D-JAB destabilizes wild-type, endogenous JAB and CIS3 by chelating the Elongin BC complex, thereby sustaining JAK activation.

Tissue-specific induction of SOCS gene expression by PRL

The mechanisms whereby tissue sensitivity to PRL is controlled are not well understood. Here we report that expression of mRNA and protein for members of the SOCS/CIS/JAB family of cytokine signaling inhibitors is increased by PRL administration in ovary and adrenal gland of the lactating rat deprived of circulating PRL and pups for 24 h but not in mammary gland. Moreover, suckling increases SOCS mRNA in the ovary but not in the mammary gland of pup-deprived rats. Deprivation of PRL and pups for 48 h allows the mammary gland to induce SOCS genes in response to PRL administration, and this is associated with a decrease in basal SOCS-3 mRNA and protein expression to the level seen in other tissues, suggesting that SOCS-3 induced refractoriness related to filling of the gland. In reporter assays, SOCS-1, SOCS-3, and CIS, but not SOCS-2, are able to inhibit transactivation of the STAT 5-responsive beta-lactoglobulin promoter in transient transfection assays. Moreover, suckling results in loss of ovarian and adrenal responsiveness to PRL administered 2 h after commencement of suckling, as determined by STAT 5 gel shift assay. Immunohistochemistry was used to localize the cellular sites of SOCS-3 and CIS protein expression in the ovary and adrenal gland. We propose that induced SOCS-1, SOCS-3, and CIS are actively involved in the cellular inhibitory feedback response to physiological PRL surges in the corpus luteum and adrenal cortex during lactation, but after pup withdrawal, the mammary gland is rendered unresponsive to PRL by increased levels of SOCS-3.

JAK/STAT3-dependent activation of the RalGDS/Ral pathway in M1 mouse myeloid leukemia cells

The Ras-related GTPase (Ral) is converted to the GTP-bound form by Ral guanine nucleotide dissociation stimulator (RalGDS), a putative effector protein of Ras. Recently, it was proven that Ral regulates c-Src activity and subsequent phosphorylation of its substrate, STAT3. Here, we show that STAT3 inversely regulates activation of Ral through induction of expression of RalGDS. To identify new leukemia inhibitory factor-induced genes, we have performed representational difference analysis using M1 mouse myeloid leukemia cells and cloned RalGDS. The expression of RalGDS and subsequent activation of RalA were clearly suppressed by a dominant negative form of STAT3 and a JAK inhibitor, JAB/SOCS1/SSI-1, indicating that RalGDS/RalA signaling requires the activation of the JAK/STAT3 pathway. An experiment using a Ras inhibitor demonstrated that full activation of RalA also requires activation of Ras. These results suggest a novel cross-talk between JAK/STAT3 and the Ras/RalGDS/Ral signaling pathways through gp130.

Up-regulation of IL-10R1 expression is required to render human neutrophils fully responsive to IL-10

We have recently shown that IL-10 fails to trigger Stat3 and Stat1 tyrosine phosphorylation in freshly isolated human neutrophils. In this study, we report that IL-10 can nonetheless induce Stat3 tyrosine phosphorylation and the binding of Stat1 and Stat3 to the IFN-gamma response region or the high-affinity synthetic derivative of the c-sis-inducible element in neutrophils that have been cultured for at least 3 h with LPS. Similarly, the ability of IL-10 to up-regulate suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-3 mRNA was dramatically enhanced in cultured neutrophils and, as a result, translated into the SOCS-3 protein. Since neutrophils' acquisition of responsiveness to IL-10 required de novo protein synthesis, we assessed whether expression of IL-10R1 or IL-10R2 was modulated in cultured neutrophils. We detected constitutive IL-10R1 mRNA and protein expression in circulating neutrophils, at levels which were much lower than those observed in autologous monocytes or lymphocytes. In contrast, IL-10R2 expression was comparable in both cell types. However, IL-10R1 (but not IL-10R2) mRNA and protein expression was substantially increased in neutrophils stimulated by LPS. The ability of IL-10 to activate Stat3 tyrosine phosphorylation and SOCS-3 synthesis and to regulate IL-1 receptor antagonist and macrophage-inflammatory protein 1beta release in LPS-treated neutrophils correlated with this increased IL-10R1 expression, and was abolished by neutralizing anti-IL-10R1 and anti-IL-10R2 Abs. Our results demonstrate that the capacity of neutrophils to respond to IL-10, as assessed by Stat3 tyrosine phosphorylation, SOCS-3 expression, and modulation of cytokine production, is very dependent on the level of expression of IL-10R1.

Prolactin-induced expression of cytokine-inducible SH2 signaling inhibitors in human hematopoietic progenitors

OBJECTIVE

The prolactin (PRL) receptor (PRLR) utilizes the JAK2/STAT-5 pathway and induces expression of cytokine-inducible SH2 (CIS)/JAK2 binding (JAB) signaling inhibitors. We and others recently showed that CIS-3 and JAB abolish PRLR-mediated JAK2 activation and STAT-5 activity, whereas CIS-1, CIS-2, and CIS-4 had a negligible effect. Human CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitors express PRLRs and respond to PRL in vitro by enhanced cytokine-induced colony formation. To assess the signaling mechanism(s) involved in PRL-mediated enhancement of hematopoiesis and to identify further the CIS/JAB targets for PRL-mediated cellular responses, we assayed the effect of PRL, alone or in the presence of interleukin-3 (IL-3), on activation of STAT-5 and expression of CIS/JAB RNA in human cord blood (CB) CD34(+) cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Isolated CB CD34(+) cells were incubated in serum-free cultures in the absence or presence of recombinant human (rh)PRL, rhIL-3, or both. Cell lysates were subjected to Western blot analysis with anti-STAT-5 and anti-phospho-STAT-5 antibodies. Isolated RNA was subjected to semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis of CIS/JAB expression.

RESULTS

STAT-5 tyrosine phosphorylation was similarly induced by PRL and IL-3, with an additive effect detected in the presence of both stimuli. Both PRL and IL-3, alone or combined, failed to induce CIS-3 or JAB RNA expression in CD34(+) cells. Interferon-gamma had no effect on CIS-3/JAB induction in these cells. However, CIS-1 was induced by PRL < IL-3 < PRL+IL-3, whereas CIS-2 expression was induced by PRL = IL-3 < PRL+IL-3.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings show that PRL induces activation of STAT-5 and expression of similar CIS/JAB family members as IL-3 does in human CB CD34(+) cells. Because CIS-1 abolishes STAT-5 activation via the IL-3 but not the PRL receptor, the hematopoietic growth-promoting effects of PRL may involve its capacity to provide sustained STAT-5-mediated stimulatory signals to the cells.

Suppressors of cytokine signaling-1 and -6 associate with and inhibit the insulin receptor. A potential mechanism for cytokine-mediated insulin resistance

Insulin resistance contributes to a number of metabolic disorders, including type II diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. Cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6, and hormones, such as growth hormone, are known to cause insulin resistance, but the mechanisms by which they inhibit the cellular response to insulin have not been elucidated. One mechanism by which these agents could cause insulin resistance is by inducing the expression of cellular proteins that inhibit insulin receptor (IR) signaling. Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins are negative regulators of cytokine signaling pathways, the expression of which is regulated by certain cytokines. SOCS proteins are therefore attractive candidates as mediators of cytokine-induced insulin resistance. We have found that SOCS-1 and SOCS-6 interact with the IR when expressed in human hepatoma cells (HepG2) or in rat hepatoma cells overexpressing the human IR. In SOCS-1-expressing cells, insulin treatment increases the extent of interaction with the IR, whereas in SOCS-6-expressing cells the association with the IR appears to require insulin treatment. SOCS-1 and SOCS-6 do not inhibit insulin-dependent IR autophosphorylation, but both proteins inhibit insulin-dependent activation of ERK1/2 and protein kinase B in vivo and IR-directed phosphorylation of IRS-1 in vitro. These results suggest that SOCS proteins may be inhibitors of IR signaling and could mediate cytokine-induced insulin resistance and contribute to the pathogenesis of type II diabetes.

SOCS-1, a negative regulator of the JAK/STAT pathway, is silenced by methylation in human hepatocellular carcinoma and shows growth-suppression activity

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer death, but the molecular mechanism for its development beyond its initiation has not been well characterized. Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS-1; also known as JAB and SSI-1) switches cytokine signaling 'off' by means of its direct interaction with Janus kinase (JAK). We identified aberrant methylation in the CpG island of SOCS-1 that correlated with its transcription silencing in HCC cell lines. The incidence of aberrant methylation was 65% in the 26 human primary HCC tumor samples analyzed. Moreover, the restoration of SOCS-1 suppressed both growth rate and anchorage-independent growth of cells in which SOCS-1 was methylation-silenced and JAK2 was constitutively activated. This growth suppression was caused by apoptosis and was reproduced by AG490, a specific, chemical JAK2 inhibitor that reversed constitutive phosphorylation of STAT3 in SOCS-1 inactivated cells. The high prevalence of the aberrant SOCS-1 methylation and its growth suppression activity demonstrated the importance of the constitutive activation of the JAK/STAT pathway in the development of HCC. Our results also indicate therapeutic strategies for the treatment of HCC including use of SOCS-1 in gene therapy and inhibition of JAK2 by small molecules, such as AG490.

Socs-1 inhibits TEL-JAK2-mediated transformation of hematopoietic cells through inhibition of JAK2 kinase activity and induction of proteasome-mediated degradation

TEL-JAK2 fusion proteins, which are a result of t(9;12)(p24;p13) translocations associated with human leukemia, activate Stat5 in vitro and in vivo and cause a myelo- and lymphoproliferative disease in a murine bone marrow transplant model. We report that Socs-1, a member of the SOCS family of endogenous inhibitors of JAKs and STATs, inhibits transformation of Ba/F3 cells by TEL-JAK2 but has no effect on Ba/F3 cells transformed by BCR-ABL, TEL-ABL, or TEL-platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta. TEL-JAK2, in addition to activating Stat5, associates with Shc and Grb2 and induces activation of Erk2, and expression of Socs-1 inhibits engagement of each of these signaling molecules. TEL-JAK2 kinase activity is inhibited by Socs-1, as assessed by in vitro kinase assays. In addition, Socs-1 induces proteasomal degradation of TEL-JAK2. Mutational analysis indicates that the SOCS box of Socs-1 is required for proteasomal degradation and for abrogation of growth of TEL-JAK2-transformed cells. Furthermore, murine bone marrow transplant assays demonstrate that expression of Socs-1 prolongs latency of TEL-JAK2-mediated disease in vivo. Collectively, these data indicate that Socs-1 inhibits TEL-JAK2 in vitro and in vivo through inhibition of kinase activity and induction of TEL-JAK2 protein degradation.

SOCS proteins: modulators of neuroimmunoendocrine functions. Impact on corticotroph LIF signaling

Several members of the newly characterized family of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins-such as SOCS-1, SOCS-3, and CIS-act as negative regulators of the cytokine-induced Jak-STAT signaling cascade. The expression of SOCS proteins is stimulated by a variety of cytokines and hormones in a tissue-specific manner. This article reviews our current understanding of SOCS proteins and their role as modulators of neuroimmunoendocrine functions, for example, in signaling of leptin, growth hormone, and prolactin, specially focusing on the impact of SOCS proteins on corticotroph leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) signaling. LIF, a member of the gp130 sharing cytokine family, modulates pituitary development, POMC gene expression, and ACTH secretion. Current data on the negative autoregulatory function of the suppressor of cytokine signaling, SOCS-3, in LIF-induced POMC gene expression and ACTH secretion are extensively discussed.

The SOCS box of SOCS-1 accelerates ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis of TEL-JAK2

Fusion of the TEL gene on 12p13 to the JAK2 tyrosine kinase gene on 9p24 has been found in human leukemia. TEL-mediated oligomerization of JAK2 results in constitutive activation of the tyrosine kinase (JH1) domain and confers cytokine-independent proliferation on interleukin-3-dependent Ba/F3 cells. Forced expression of the JAK inhibitor gene SOCS1/JAB/SSI-1 induced apoptosis of TEL-JAK2-transformed Ba/F3 cells. This suppression of TEL-JAK2 activity was dependent on SOCS box-mediated proteasomal degradation of TEL-JAK2 rather than on kinase inhibition. Degradation of JAK2 depended on its phosphorylation and its high affinity binding with SOCS1 through the kinase inhibitory region and the SH2 domain. It has been demonstrated that von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) tumor-suppressor gene product possesses the SOCS box that forms a complex with Elongin B and C and Cullin-2, and it functions as a ubiquitin ligase. The SOCS box of SOCS1/JAB has also been shown to interact with Elongins; however, ubiquitin ligase activity has not been demonstrated. We found that the SOCS box interacted with Cullin-2 and promoted ubiquitination of TEL-JAK2. Furthermore, overexpression of dominant negative Cullin-2 suppressed SOCS1-dependent TEL-JAK2 degradation. Our study demonstrates the substrate-specific E3 ubiquitin-ligase-like activity of SOCS1 for activated JAK2 and may provide a novel strategy for the suppression of oncogenic tyrosine kinases.

Induction of JAB/SOCS-1/SSI-1 and CIS3/SOCS-3/SSI-3 is involved in gp130 resistance in cardiovascular system in rat treated with cardiotrophin-1 in vivo

CIS (cytokine-inducible SH2 protein), SOCS (suppressor of cytokine signaling), or SSI (signal transducers and activators of transcription [STAT]-induced STAT inhibitor) proteins are a family of cytokine-inducible negative regulators of cytokine signaling via Janus kinase (JAK)-STAT pathways. Given the evidence that the JAK-STAT pathway plays a critical role in the cardiovascular system, the primary objective of this study was to assess the effects of the CIS family on JAK-STAT signaling in the cardiovascular system in rats treated with cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1), an interleukin-6 family of cytokines. Intravenous injection of 20 microgram/kg body weight of CT-1 induced a transient, marked increase in STAT3 activation in various tissues, including heart and lung, and subsequent upregulation of 2 members of the CIS family, JAK-binding protein (JAB)/SOCS-1/SSI-1 and CIS3/SOCS-3/SSI-3, in the same tissues. It was also observed that CIS3 was directly associated with JAK2 in vivo. Pretreatment with the same dose of CT-1 60 minutes before significantly attenuated the STAT3 activation induced by a second injection of CT-1. We previously reported that intravenous injection of CT-1 results in the nitric oxide (NO)-dependent hypotension accompanied by the induction of inducible NO synthase mRNA. In rats pretreated with CT-1, the induction of inducible NO synthase mRNA or hypotension by subsequent CT-1 injection was not observed. Forced expression of JAB or CIS3, but not other CISs, directly blocked CT-1-induced STAT3 activation in 293 cells. These results suggest that JAB and CIS3 serve as endogenous inhibitors of CT-1-mediated JAK-STAT signaling in the cardiovascular system in vivo.

Negative regulators of cytokine signaling

The interaction of a cytokine with its specific cell surface receptor triggers the activation of intracellular signaling pathways that ultimately program the cellular response. Although the specific components and actions of the pathways driving these responses, such as the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) pathway, are relatively well defined, it is becoming clear that important mechanisms exist to restrain these signaling cascades. This review discusses the key biochemical actions and biological roles of the phosphatase SHP-1, the protein inhibitors of activated STATs (PIAS) and the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) protein family in the negative regulation of cytokine signal transduction.

Integrative signaling by minimal erythropoietin receptor forms and c-Kit

Erythroid homeostasis depends critically upon erythropoietin (Epo) and stem cell factor cosignaling in late progenitor cells. Epo bioresponses are relayed efficiently by minimal receptor forms that retain a single Tyr-343 site for STAT5 binding, while forms that lack all cytoplasmic Tyr(P) sites activate JAK2 and the transcription of c-Myc plus presumed additional target genes. In FDCER cell lines, which express endogenous c-Kit, the signaling capacities of such minimal Epo receptor forms (ER-HY343 and ER-HY343F) have been dissected to reveal: 1) that Epo-dependent mitogenesis, survival, and bcl-x gene expression via ER-HY343 depend upon the intactness of the Tyr-343 STAT5 binding site; 2) that ER-HY343-dependent bcl-x(L) gene transcription is enhanced markedly via c-Kit; 3) that socs-3, plfap, dpp-1, and cacy-bp gene transcription is induced via ER-HY343, whereas dpp-1 and cacy-bp gene expression is also supported by ER-HY343F; 4) that ectopically expressed SOCS-3 suppresses proliferative signaling by not only ER-HY343 but also c-Kit; and 5) that in FDCER and primary erythroid cells, c-Kit appears to provide the primary route to MAPK activation. Thus, integration circuits exist in only select downstream pathways within Epo and stem call factor receptor signaling.

Granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-5 activate STAT5 and induce CIS1 mRNA in human peripheral blood eosinophils

In these studies, we examined signaling through the transcription factor STAT5 in human peripheral blood eosinophils after treatment with granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or interleukin (IL)-5. In response to either cytokine, STAT5 was rapidly tyrosine phosphorylated and acquired interferon gamma activation site (GAS) DNA binding activity. Tyrosine-phosphorylated STAT5 was associated with both cytosolic and nuclear cell fractions. Consistent with activation, the transcription of a STAT5-dependent gene, cytokine inducible, SH2-containing protein (CIS1), was enhanced after cytokine stimulation. This is the first report of IL-5 regulation of CIS1 gene expression in any cell type. Given its role in cytokine signaling, CIS1 upregulation may serve to attenuate IL-5 and GM-CSF modulation of eosinophil function. These data suggest that active nuclear STAT5 participates in the regulation of IL-5 and GM-CSF--inducible genes in stimulated human peripheral blood eosinophils.

CIS1, a cytokine-inducible SH2 protein, suppresses BCR/ABL-mediated transformation. Involvement of the ubiquitin proteasome pathway

OBJECTIVE

BCR/ABL is a chimeric oncoprotein that exhibits deregulated tyrosine kinase activity and is implicated in the pathogenesis of Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive leukemia. A general understanding of BCR/ABL signaling events is emerging, but little is known about the endogenous inhibitors of p210 BCR/ABL. The present study focused attention on CIS1, a cytokine-inducible SH2 protein, as a potential physiologic antagonist for BCR/ABL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The murine hematopoietic cell line NSF/N1.H7 stably transfected with BCR/ABL was compared to the parental counterparts for induction of CIS1 by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation. Cells were treated with a proteasome inhibitor to examine the effect of a proteasome inhibitor on CIS1 protein expression. To determine the effect of CIS1 on BCR/ABL-mediated transformation, we generated Rat-1 fibroblasts transfected with either a control vector, CIS1, BCR/ABL p210, or CIS1 plus BCR/ABL p210.

RESULTS

Three forms of CIS1 with molecular masses of 32, 37, and 47 kDa were detected in BCR/ABL-transformed cells. The 47-kDa protein was a ubiquitinated protein. The proteasome inhibitor increased the formation of complexes between CIS1 and BCR/ABL. Transformation of p210 BCR/ABL was significantly suppressed in cells overexpressing CIS1.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that CIS1 is an endogenous inhibitor of p210 BCR/ABL and is likely to be important in the pathogenesis of Ph-positive leukemia.

Cloning and characterization of CIS 1b (cytokine inducible SH2-containing protein 1b), an alternative splicing form of CIS 1 gene

JAK-STAT pathway is essential in relaying cytokine signals and plays a vital role in cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation and immunity. Some members of a recently found cytokine-inducible SH2 protein (CIS, =SOCS or SSI) family have proved to have negative effects on modulating JAK-STAT signaling pathway. In the present study, a novel human cDNA (CIS1b) which proved to be a variant of CIS1 gene was isolated by screen human placenta lambda gt11 cDNA library and 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Furthermore, the gene structure of CIS1 was determined by comparing the cDNA sequences of CIS1 and CIS1b to the genomic sequence in human chromosome 3p21.3. The expression patterns of CIS1b as well as CIS1 were analysed by Northern blot.

CIS3/SOCS3/SSI3 plays a negative regulatory role in STAT3 activation and intestinal inflammation

Immune and inflammatory systems are controlled by multiple cytokines, including interleukins (ILs) and interferons. These cytokines exert their biological functions through Janus tyrosine kinases and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) transcription factors. We recently identified two intrinsic Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, JAK binding protein (JAB; also referred to as suppressor of cytokine signaling [SOCS1]/STAT-induced STAT inhibitor [SSI1]) and cytokine-inducible SH2 protein (CIS)3 (or SOCS3/SSI3), which play an essential role in the negative regulation of cytokine signaling. We have investigated the role of STATs and these JAK inhibitors in intestinal inflammation. Among STAT family members, STAT3 was most strongly tyrosine phosphorylated in human ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients as well as in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Development of colitis as well as STAT3 activation was significantly reduced in IL-6-deficient mice treated with DSS, suggesting that STAT3 plays an important role in the perpetuation of colitis. CIS3, but not JAB, was highly expressed in the colon of DSS-treated mice as well as several T cell-dependent colitis models. To define the physiological role of CIS3 induction in colitis, we developed a JAB mutant (F59D-JAB) that overcame the inhibitory effect of both JAB and CIS3 and created transgenic mice. DSS induced stronger STAT3 activation and more severe colitis in F59D-JAB transgenic mice than in their wild-type littermates. These data suggest that hyperactivation of STAT3 results in severe colitis and that CIS3 plays a negative regulatory role in intestinal inflammation by downregulating STAT3 activity.

IFN-gamma regulation of class II transactivator promoter IV in macrophages and microglia: involvement of the suppressors of cytokine signaling-1 protein

The discovery of the class II transactivator (CIITA) transcription factor, and its IFN-gamma-activated promoter (promoter IV), have provided new opportunities to understand the molecular mechanisms of IFN-gamma-induced class II MHC expression. Here, we investigated the molecular regulation of IFN-gamma-induced murine CIITA promoter IV activity in microglia/macrophages. In the macrophage cell line RAW264.7, IFN-gamma inducibility of CIITA promoter IV is dependent on an IFN-gamma activation sequence (GAS) element and adjacent E-Box, and an IFN response factor (IRF) element, all within 196 bp of the transcription start site. In both RAW cells and the microglia cell line EOC20, two IFN-gamma-activated transcription factors, STAT-1alpha and IRF-1, bind the GAS and IRF elements, respectively. The E-Box binds upstream stimulating factor-1 (USF-1), a constitutively expressed transcription factor. Functionally, the GAS, E-Box, and IRF elements are each essential for IFN-gamma-induced CIITA promoter IV activity. The effects of the suppressors of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1) protein on IFN-gamma-induced CIITA and class II MHC expression were examined. Ectopic expression of SOCS-1 inhibits IFN-gamma-induced activation of CIITA promoter IV and subsequent class II MHC protein expression. Interestingly, SOCS-1 inhibits the constitutive expression of STAT-1alpha and its IFN-gamma-induced tyrosine phosphorylation and binding to the GAS element in CIITA promoter IV. As well, IFN-gamma-induced expression of IRF-1 and its binding to the IRF element is inhibited. These results indicate that SOCS-1 may be responsible for attenuating IFN-gamma-induced CIITA and class II MHC expression in macrophages.

Negative cross-talk between interleukin-3 and interleukin-11 is mediated by suppressor of cytokine signalling-3 (SOCS-3)

Previous studies have shown that addition of interleukin-3 (IL-3) abrogated the B-cell potential of primary colonies supported by IL-11, erythropoietin, IL-7 and steel factor. However, the mechanism by which IL-3 exerts its inhibitory role is not understood. Using a variant of the mouse pro-B cell line Ba/F3 which expresses both IL-3 and IL-11 receptors, we showed that pretreatment of these cells with IL-3 before stimulation by IL-11 suppressed the tyrosine phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3). This inhibition occurred within 30 min and required the synthesis of a negative regulator. The onset of IL-3-dependent inhibition was correlated temporally with the appearance of SOCS-3 (suppressor of cytokine signalling-3) protein. In addition, overexpression of SOCS-3 in the pro-B cell line effectively blocked STAT3 activation induced by IL-11. These findings establish that a cytokine (IL-3) that has been shown to modulate its own signal of activation is also able to down-regulate signalling activated by a different cytokine (IL-11). This cross-talk involves activation of the JAK (Janus kinase)/STAT signalling pathway, but not mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, and is mediated, at least in part, by SOCS-3.

Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-3 protein interacts with the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor

SOCS proteins are a class of proteins that are negative regulators of cytokine receptor signaling via the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway. In a yeast two-hybrid screen of a human fetal brain library, we have previously identified SOCS-2 as a binding partner of the activated IGF-I receptor (IGFIR). To test whether or not SOCS-3 also binds to the IGFIR, we cloned human SOCS-3 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction from human skeletal muscle mRNA. SOCS-3 mRNA was expressed in many human fetal and adult tissues and in some human cancer cell lines (Hela, A549 pulmonary adenocarcinoma and G361 human melanoma). We found that human SOCS-3 protein interacts directly with the cytoplasmic domains of the activated IGFIR and the insulin receptor (IR) in the yeast two-hybrid assay. In GST-SOCS-3 pull-down experiments using IGFIR from mammalian cells and in immunoprecipitation experiments in which IGFIR and FLAG-SOCS-3 were transiently expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, we found that SOCS-3 interacts constitutively with IGFIR in vitro and in intact cells. Unlike SOCS-2, hSOCS-3 was phosphorylated on tyrosines in response to IGF-I addition to 293 cells. We conclude that SOCS-3 binds to the IGFIR and may be a direct substrate for the receptor tyrosine kinase.

Limited brain access for leptin in obesity

Obesity is a major health problem that contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. The current pharmacological therapies for obesity are limited and may have significant side effects. Leptin therapy was shown to effectively cause weight loss in obese rats, however its effectiveness in humans is still under investigation. Obese humans have significantly elevated plasma leptin concentrations compared with lean individuals. Plasma leptin concentrations strongly correlated with percentage of body fat. Leptin concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is correlated, in a nonlinear manner, with plasma leptin levels and body mass index (BMI). The ratio of CSF leptin levels to serum leptin levels was 4 times greater in lean individuals than in obese individuals. One interpretation of this finding is that human obesity could be secondary to a central resistance to leptin action, causing a relative leptin deficiency in the CNS. Six years after the discovery of leptin we still do not have a clear understanding of how leptin accesses its targets in the brain, or whether there is defect in this process in the brain of obese individuals. In this manuscript we will review the different leptin gateways to the brain and the potential sites where a defect in leptin action may be present, as well as some potential clinical implications of leptin. A better understanding of how leptin reaches the brain and how it modulates the release of hypothalamic neuropeptides will be important in understanding the role that leptin plays in the pathophysiology of obesity.

LIF transduces contradictory signals on capillary outgrowth through induction of stat3 and (P41/43)MAP kinase

The signaling pathways regulating blood vessel growth and development are not well understood. In the present report, an in vitro model was used to identify signaling pathways regulating capillary formation in embryonic endothelial cells. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) plus leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) optimally stimulate the formation of capillary-like structures of the embryonic endothelial cell line IEM. LIF stimulation of IEM cells leads to activation of the Stat3 as well as the (P41/43)mitogen-activated protein kinase ((P41/43)MAPK) cascade, while bFGF does not activate Stat3 but does induce the (P41/43)MAPK cascade. Inhibition of Stat3 DNA-binding activity by expression of a dominant inhibitory Stat3 mutant increases the capillary outgrowth of the IEM cells induced by LIF. Increased Stat3 activity by overexpression of the wild-type Stat3 greatly reduced capillary outgrowth. In contrast, inhibition of the (P41/43)MAPK cascade using a MEK-1 inhibitor dramatically inhibits the LIF-induced capillary outgrowth. Moreover, the increased formation of capillary-like structures of the IEM cells mediated by Stat3 inhibition does not overcome the requirement for activation of the (P41/43)MAPK pathway for capillary outgrowth. Stat3 activity correlates with the LIF-induced expression of the negative feedback regulators of the Janus (JAK) family of tyrosine kinases, SOCS-1 and SOCS-3. These results provide evidence that Stat3 acts as a negative regulator of capillary outgrowth, possibly by increasing SOCS-1 or SOCS-3 expression. The contradictory signals stimulated by LIF could be necessary to control the intensity of the response leading to capillary outgrowth in vivo.

Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-3 protein interacts with the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor

SOCS proteins are a class of proteins that are negative regulators of cytokine receptor signaling via the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway. In a yeast two-hybrid screen of a human fetal brain library, we have previously identified SOCS-2 as a binding partner of the activated IGF-I receptor (IGFIR). To test whether or not SOCS-3 also binds to the IGFIR, we cloned human SOCS-3 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction from human skeletal muscle mRNA. SOCS-3 mRNA was expressed in many human fetal and adult tissues and in some human cancer cell lines (Hela, A549 pulmonary adenocarcinoma and G361 human melanoma). We found that human SOCS-3 protein interacts directly with the cytoplasmic domains of the activated IGFIR and the insulin receptor (IR) in the yeast two-hybrid assay. In GST-SOCS-3 pull-down experiments using IGFIR from mammalian cells and in immunoprecipitation experiments in which IGFIR and FLAG-SOCS-3 were transiently expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, we found that SOCS-3 interacts constitutively with IGFIR in vitro and in intact cells. Unlike SOCS-2, hSOCS-3 was phosphorylated on tyrosines in response to IGF-I addition to 293 cells. We conclude that SOCS-3 binds to the IGFIR and may be a direct substrate for the receptor tyrosine kinase.

cDNA representational difference analysis of human neutrophils stimulated by GM-CSF

Neutrophils are the first cell type to migrate out of the vascular space and into the inflammatory site during an acute inflammation. However, in chronic inflammatory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lack of clearance of neutrophils, imbalance between inflammatory mediators produced by neutrophils and their natural inhibitors make these cells a potential cause of tissue destruction in lung disease. Neutrophilic inflammation is generally characterised by high levels of local expression of activating cytokines (e.g., GM-CSF). Only a few studies have been published so far that have investigated the expression of genes preferentially expressed in activated neutrophils. The isolation of such genes, however, can lead to a better understanding of inflammatory disease and the identification of potential novel therapeutic targets or markers of the disease. We performed representational difference analysis of cDNA, a sensitive PCR-based subtractive enrichment procedure, and isolated 12 genes, 1 EST clone, and 3 sequences not represented in the public databases. Differential expression for 9 of these clones was confirmed by Northern hybridisation. Of the above nine transcripts three were chosen and shown to be up-regulated in neutrophils cocultured with stimulated primary human bronchial epithelial cells using a semiquantitative RT-PCR approach. Among the known genes identified were HM-74, CIS1, Cathepsin C, alpha-enolase, CD44, and the gene Translocation Three Four (TTF), most of them previously not known to be involved in GM-CSF induced neutrophil activation. Along with its tissue and cellular distribution we also derived the complete cDNA sequence and genomic structure of CIS1 using an in silico approach. In addition, we also report the initial characterisation of a novel gene, P1-89 that is primarily expressed in granulocytes and is up-regulated in activated cells. Our results identify several important genes associated with neutrophil activation and can lead to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of neutrophilic inflammations.

Prolactin: structure, function, and regulation of secretion

Prolactin is a protein hormone of the anterior pituitary gland that was originally named for its ability to promote lactation in response to the suckling stimulus of hungry young mammals. We now know that prolactin is not as simple as originally described. Indeed, chemically, prolactin appears in a multiplicity of posttranslational forms ranging from size variants to chemical modifications such as phosphorylation or glycosylation. It is not only synthesized in the pituitary gland, as originally described, but also within the central nervous system, the immune system, the uterus and its associated tissues of conception, and even the mammary gland itself. Moreover, its biological actions are not limited solely to reproduction because it has been shown to control a variety of behaviors and even play a role in homeostasis. Prolactin-releasing stimuli not only include the nursing stimulus, but light, audition, olfaction, and stress can serve a stimulatory role. Finally, although it is well known that dopamine of hypothalamic origin provides inhibitory control over the secretion of prolactin, other factors within the brain, pituitary gland, and peripheral organs have been shown to inhibit or stimulate prolactin secretion as well. It is the purpose of this review to provide a comprehensive survey of our current understanding of prolactin's function and its regulation and to expose some of the controversies still existing.

The suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins: important feedback inhibitors of cytokine action

While positive effectors of cytokine signaling pathways are relatively well defined, negative regulation can be just as important but is poorly understood. The recently discovered suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family of proteins has been implicated in the negative regulation of several cytokine pathways, particularly the receptor-associated tyrosine kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (AK/STAT) pathways of transcriptional activation. Biochemical studies revealed that inhibition can occur via a variety of mechanisms. SOCS proteins bind to tyrosine-phosphorylated residues of target proteins via their SH2 domains, then inhibit JAK activity through their N-terminal domains, and are thought to induce degredation of bound molecules through a conserved SOCS-box motif that interacts with the proteasome. SOCS protein expression is induced by a wide variety of cytokines with each member displaying varying kinetics of induction. Gene modification studies in mice have demonstrated that SOCS-1 has a clear role in the negative regulation of interferon-gamma signaling, while other SOCS family members have also been shown to be involved in the regulation of T cell, growth hormone, and erythropoietin signaling systems.

The JAK-inhibitor, JAB/SOCS-1 selectively inhibits cytokine-induced, but not v-Src induced JAK-STAT activation

Recently, constitutive activation of JAK kinases (JAKs) and/or signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) has been reported in growing numbers of human cancer cells as well as oncogene-transformed cells. JAB/SOCS-1 has been shown to be an intrinsic JAK tyrosine kinase inhibitor and to suppress the cytokine-dependent JAK-STAT pathway. In this report, we investigated the effect of ectopic expression of JAB on v-Src-induced JAK-STAT activation. Forced expression of JAB in v-Src-transformed NIH3T3 cells neither suppressed phosphorylation of STAT3 and JAK1/JAK2 nor blocked STAT3-reporter gene activation. Colony forming assay also showed that JAB did not suppress v-Src-induced transformation of NIH3T3 cells, while dominant negative STAT3 suppressed it. In contrast, JAB could downregulate phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3 induced by interferon gamma (IFNgamma) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) plus soluble IL6 receptor (sIL-6R), respectively. Furthermore, in vitro kinase assay indicated that JAB suppressed hyperactivation of JAK1/JAK2 and JAK1 induced by IFNgamma and IL-6 plus sIL-6R respectively, but not v-Src-induced basal JAK1/JAK2 activity. Nevertheless, both JAK1/JAK2 activated by v-Src and that activated by IL-6 plus sIL-6R could similarly bind JAB. These results clearly demonstrate that JAB distinguishes cytokine-induced JAK-STAT signaling from v-Src-induced one and can not suppress the transformation with v-Src.

CIS3/SOCS-3 suppresses erythropoietin (EPO) signaling by binding the EPO receptor and JAK2

The cytokine-inducible SH2 protein-3 (CIS3/SOCS-3/SSI-3) has been shown to inhibit the JAK/STAT pathway and act as a negative regulator of fetal liver erythropoiesis. Here, we studied the molecular mechanisms by which CIS3 regulates the erythropoietin (EPO) receptor (EPOR) signaling in erythroid progenitors and Ba/F3 cells expressing the EPOR (BF-ER). CIS3 binds directly to the EPOR as well as JAK2 and inhibits EPO-dependent proliferation and STAT5 activation. We have identified the region containing Tyr(401) in the cytoplasmic domain of the EPOR as a direct binding site for CIS3. Deletion of the Tyr(401) region of the EPOR reduced the inhibitory effect of CIS3, suggesting that binding of CIS3 to the EPOR augmented the negative effect of CIS3. Both N- and C-terminal regions adjacent to the SH2 domain of CIS3 were necessary for binding to EPOR and JAK2. In the N-terminal region of CIS3, the amino acid Gly(45) was critical for binding to the EPOR but not to JAK2, while Leu(22) was critical for binding to JAK2. The mutation of G45A partially reduced ability of CIS3 to inhibit EPO-dependent proliferation and STAT5 activation, while L22D mutant CIS3 was completely unable to suppress EPOR signaling. Moreover, overexpression of STAT5, which also binds to Tyr(401), reduced the binding of CIS3 to the EPOR, and the inhibitory effect of CIS3 against EPO signaling, while it did not affect JAB/SOCS-1/SSI-1. These data demonstrate that binding of CIS3 to the EPOR augments the inhibitory effect of CIS3. CIS3 binding to both EPOR and JAK2 may explain a specific regulatory role of CIS3 in erythropoiesis.

Identification of critical residues required for suppressor of cytokine signaling-specific regulation of interleukin-4 signaling

Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family proteins were originally identified as cytokine-induced negative regulators of cytokine signaling. We show that SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 inhibit interleukin (IL)-4-dependent signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (Stat6) activation of and subsequent gene induction. By contrast, SOCS-2 and cytokine-inducible Src homology domain 2 (SH2)-containing protein up-regulate these processes. IL-4 initiates transmembrane signaling through two types of receptor complexes comprising the IL-4Ralpha subunit and the associated Janus kinase 1 (Jak1) as common essential components. We demonstrate that both SOCS-1- and SOCS-3-mediated down-regulation of IL-4 signaling is due to an inhibition of the receptor associated Jak1 activity. The SOCS proteins contain an amino-terminal region of variable length and primary structure, a central SH2 domain, and a carboxyl-terminal conserved motif termed SOCS-box. We show that the SH2 domains of SOCS-2, SOCS-3, and cytokine-inducible SH2-containing protein are functionally redundant in regulating the IL-4-dependent Jak-Stat signaling. The Pre-SH2 domains of SOCS-2 and SOCS-3 confer the specificity of their regulatory function. Importantly, the Pre-SH2 domain of SOCS-3 alone can inhibit IL-4 signaling. The SH2-proximal 25 amino acids of SOCS-3 are sufficient for this inhibition, and the Thr residue at position 24 and the Phe residue at position 25 are individually indispensable for its inhibitory function. Thus, the Thr-Phe motif in the Pre-SH2 domain plays a critical role in SOCS-3-mediated inhibition of the IL-4-dependent Jak-Stat signaling, likely by regulating the mode of SOCS-Jak interaction.

Defective thymocyte development and perturbed homeostasis of T cells in STAT-induced STAT inhibitor-1/suppressors of cytokine signaling-1 transgenic mice

Previous experiments have shown that STAT-induced STAT inhibitor-1 (SSI-1; also named suppressors of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1) or Janus kinase binding protein) is predominantly expressed in lymphoid organs and functions in vitro as a negative regulator of cytokine signaling. To determine the function of SOCS-1 in vivo, we generated SSI-1 transgenic mice using the lck proximal promoter that drives transgene expression in T cell lineage. In thymocytes expressing SSI-1 transgene, tyrosine phosphorylation of STATs in response to cytokines such as IFN-gamma, IL-6, and IL-7 was inhibited, suggesting that SSI-1 suppresses cytokine signaling in primary lymphocytes. In addition, lck-SSI-1 transgenic mice showed a reduction in the number of thymocytes as a result of the developmental blocking during triple-negative stage. They also exhibited a relative increase in the percentage of CD4+ T cells, a reduction in the number of gammadelta T cells, as well as the spontaneous activation and increased apoptosis of peripheral T cells. Thus, enforced expression of SSI-1 disturbs the development of thymocytes and the homeostasis of peripheral T cells. All these features of lck-SSI-1 transgenic mice strikingly resemble the phenotype of mice lacking common gamma-chain or Janus kinase-3, suggesting that transgene-derived SSI-1 inhibits the functions of common gamma-chain-using cytokines. Taken together, these results suggest that SSI-1 can also inhibit a wide variety of cytokines in vivo.

SOCS: physiological suppressors of cytokine signaling

Cytokines regulate cellular behavior by interacting with receptors on the plasma membrane of target cells and activating intracellular signal transduction cascades such as the JAK-STAT pathway. Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins negatively regulate cytokine signaling. The SOCS family consists of eight proteins: SOCS1-SOCS7 and CIS, each of which contains a central Src-homology 2 (SH2) domain and a C-terminal SOCS box. The expression of CIS, SOCS1, SOCS2 and SOCS3 is induced in response to stimulation by a wide variety of cytokines, and overexpression of these proteins in cell lines results in inhibition of cytokine signaling. Thus, SOCS proteins appear to form part of a classical negative feedback loop. The analysis of mice lacking SOCS1 has revealed that it is critical in the negative regulation of IFN(gamma) signaling and in the differentiation of T cells. Additionally, the analysis of mouse embryos lacking SOCS3 suggests that SOCS3 negatively regulates fetal liver erythropoiesis, probably through its ability to modulate erythropoietin (Epo) signaling. Thus, the use of gene targeting has confirmed that SOCS proteins regulate cytokine signaling in a physiological setting.