SOCS-3 is tyrosine phosphorylated in response to interleukin-2 and suppresses STAT5 phosphorylation and lymphocyte proliferation

Regulation of the trans-activation potential of STAT5 through its DNA-binding activity and interactions with heterologous transcription factors

Extracellular hormones, growth factors and cytokines relay their effects on the transcription of genes through the recognition of specific receptors and intracellular signalling molecules. Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) have been recognized as crucial intracellular signalling molecules. The cytokine receptor-associated Janus kinases (JAKs) convert the latent monomeric form of the STAT molecules to the activated dimeric form through tyrosine phosphorylation. The dimers bind to specific DNA response elements and are able to induce transcription. This induction requires the full-length form of the STAT molecules. Negative regulatory potential is exerted by the short form of the molecule, which lacks the trans-activation domain. This short form is activated and dimerized, but dephosphorylation is impaired. The short form of STAT occupies the DNA-binding sites in a stable fashion and acts as a strong suppressor of wild-type action. Positive enhancement of STAT5 trans-activation potential is provided by the glucocorticoid receptor. Ligand activation of this receptor causes the formation of a complex with STAT5 and deviation to the STAT5 DNA-binding site. An additional regulatory loop is provided by the reactivation of the short form of STAT5 through glucocorticoid receptor association. Conversely, classical glucocorticoid-responsive genes are negatively affected by STAT5 activation.

Cytokine-induced Src homology 2 protein (CIS) promotes T cell receptor-mediated proliferation and prolongs survival of activated T cells

Members of the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family were discovered as negative regulators of cytokine signaling by inhibition of the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (Jak-STAT) pathway. Among them, cytokine-induced Src homology 2 (SH2) protein (CIS) was found to inhibit the interleukin 3- and erythropietin-mediated STAT5 signaling pathway. However, involvement of SOCS proteins in other signaling pathways is still unknown. This study shows that the expression of CIS is selectively induced in T cells after T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation. In transgenic mice, with selective expression of CIS in CD4 T cells, elevated CIS strongly promotes TCR-mediated proliferation and cytokine production in vitro, and superantigen-induced T cell activation in vivo. Forced expression of CIS also prolongs survival of CD4 T cells after TCR activation. Molecular events immediately downstream from the TCR are not changed in CIS-expressing CD4 T cells, but activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways by TCR stimulation is significantly enhanced. Together with the increased MAP kinase activation, a direct interaction of CIS and protein kinase Ctheta was also demonstrated. These results suggest that CIS is one of the important regulators of TCR-mediated T cell activation. The functions of CIS, enhancing TCR signaling and inhibiting cytokine signaling, may be important in the regulation of immune response and homeostasis.

Role of the suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 in mediating the inhibitory effects of interleukin-1beta on the growth hormone-dependent transcription of the acid-labile subunit gene in liver cells

During catabolic diseases such as sepsis, inflammation, and infection, a state of growth hormone (GH) resistance develops in liver. This has been attributed in part to increased production of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). To determine how IL-1beta induces GH resistance, we studied the acid-labile subunit (ALS) gene whose hepatic transcription is increased by GH via the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway. IL-1beta reduced the ability of GH to stimulate ALS mRNA in rat primary hepatocytes and ALS promoter activity in H4-II-E rat hepatoma cells. This inhibition was dependent on ALSGAS1, an element resembling a gamma-interferon activated sequence that mediates the transcriptional effects of GH. Inhibition by IL-1beta was also associated with a reduction of GH-dependent binding of STAT5 to this element after chronic (8 and 24 h), but not after acute treatment (15 min). Because these results indicated that the inhibition by IL-1beta was indirect, expression of the recently discovered suppressors of cytokine action (SOCS) was examined in liver cells. IL-1beta did not alter the expression of SOCS1, SOCS2, and CIS, indicating that they are not involved. In contrast, IL-1beta increased SOCS3 mRNA by 8-fold after 24 h of treatment, whereas GH had no effect. Forced expression of SOCS3 was just as effective as IL-1beta in reducing the GH induction of ALS promoter activity in H4-II-E rat hepatoma cells. Similar results were observed in primary rat hepatocytes. We conclude that the induction of SOCS3 by IL-1beta contributes to the development of GH resistance in liver, and represents a mechanism by which cytokines such as IL-1beta cross-talk with cytokines using the JAK-STAT pathway.

Cytosolic tyrosine dephosphorylation of STAT5. Potential role of SHP-2 in STAT5 regulation

STAT5, a member of the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs), is important in modulating T cell functions through interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptors. Like other STAT proteins, STAT5 undergoes a rapid activation and inactivation cycle upon cytokine stimulation. Tyrosine phosphorylation and dephosphorylation are critical in regulating STAT5 activity. A number of protein tyrosine kinases have been shown to phosphorylate STAT5; however, the phosphatases responsible for STAT5 dephosphorylation remain unidentified. Using CTLL-20 as a model system, we provide evidence that tyrosine dephosphorylation of STAT5 subsequent to IL-2-induced phosphorylation occurs in the absence of STAT5 nuclear translocation and new protein synthesis. Nevertheless, down-regulation of the upstream Janus kinase activity during the deactivation cycle of IL-2-induced signaling does involve new protein synthesis. These findings point to the constitutive presence of STAT5 tyrosine phosphatase activity in the cytosolic compartment. We further demonstrate that SHP-2, but not SHP-1, directly dephosphorylates STAT5 in an in vitro tyrosine phosphatase assay with purified proteins. Furthermore, tyrosine-phosphorylated STAT5 associates with the substrate-trapping mutant (Cys --> Ser) of SHP-2 but not SHP-1. These results suggest a potential role for cytoplasmic protein-tyrosine phosphatases in directly dephosphorylating STAT proteins and in maintaining a basal steady state level of STAT activity.

Janus kinases and signal transducers and activators of transcription: their roles in cytokine signaling, development and immunoregulation

Cytokines play a critical role in the normal development and function of the immune system. On the other hand, many rheumatologic diseases are characterized by poorly controlled responses to or dysregulated production of these mediators. Over the past decade tremendous strides have been made in clarifying how cytokines transmit signals via pathways using the Janus kinase (Jak) protein tyrosine kinases and the Signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat) proteins. More recently, research has focused on several distinct proteins responsible for inhibiting these pathways. It is hoped that further elucidation of cytokine signaling through these pathways will not only allow for a better comprehension of the etiopathogenesis of rheumatologic illnesses, but may also direct future treatment options.

SOCS/CIS protein inhibition of growth hormone-stimulated STAT5 signaling by multiple mechanisms

The inhibition of growth hormone (GH) signaling by five members of the GH-inducible suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS/CIS) family was investigated in transfected COS cells. Complete inhibition of GH activation of the signal transducer STAT5b and STAT5b-dependent transcriptional activity was observed upon expression of SOCS-1 or SOCS-3, while partial inhibition (CIS, SOCS-2) or no inhibition (SOCS-6) was seen with other SOCS/CIS family members. SOCS-1, SOCS-2, SOCS-3, and CIS each strongly inhibited the GH receptor (GHR)-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK2 seen at low levels of transfected JAK2; however, only SOCS-1 strongly inhibited the GHR-independent tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK2 seen at higher JAK2 levels. To probe for interactions with GHR, in vitro binding assays were carried out using glutathione S-transferase-GHR fusion proteins containing variable lengths of GHR's COOH-terminal cytoplasmic domain. CIS and SOCS-2 bound to fusions containing as few as 80 COOH-terminal GHR residues, provided the fusion protein was tyrosine-phosphorylated. By contrast, SOCS-3 binding required tyrosine-phosphorylated GHR membrane-proximal sequences, SOCS-1 binding was tyrosine phosphorylation-independent, and SOCS-6 did not bind the GHR fusion proteins at all. Mutation of GHR's membrane-proximal tyrosine residues 333 and 338 to phenylalanine suppressed the inhibition by SOCS-3, but not by CIS, of GH signaling to STAT5b. SOCS/CIS proteins can thus inhibit GH signaling to STAT5b by three distinct mechanisms, distinguished by their molecular targets within the GHR-JAK2 signaling complex, as exemplified by SOCS-1 (direct JAK2 kinase inhibition), SOCS-3 (inhibition of JAK2 signaling via membrane-proximal GHR tyrosines 333 and 338), and CIS and SOCS-2 (inhibition via membrane-distal tyrosine(s)).

Inhibitors keep cytokines in check

Some members of the CIS/SOCS/JAB/SSI family have been demonstrated to be cytokine-inducible inhibitors of cytokine signaling. Steps have now been made towards clarifying the biological function of two of these proteins, revealing that these inhibitors are essential for the correct maintenance of cytokine signaling.

Inhibitory roles for SHP-1 and SOCS-3 following pituitary proopiomelanocortin induction by leukemia inhibitory factor

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that stimulates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis through JAK-STAT activation. We show here that LIF-induced JAK2 and STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation is transient, disappearing within 20 and 40 minutes, respectively. LIF activates the SH2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase, SHP-1, with maximal stimulation observed at 30 minutes. SHP-1 is constitutively associated with JAK2, and LIF induces recruitment of phosphorylated STAT3 to this complex. Overexpression of wild-type or dominant negative forms of SHP-1 shows decreased or increased LIF-induced proopiomelanocortin (POMC) promoter activity, respectively. LIF-induced JAK2 and STAT3 dephosphorylation is delayed until after 60 minutes in cells that overexpress the mutant SHP-1. In addition, SOCS-3, a negative regulator of LIF signaling, binds to JAK2 after 60 minutes of LIF stimulation, after which the complex is degraded by the proteasome. SOCS-3 overexpression blocks LIF-induced JAK2 tyrosine phosphorylation, confirming a role for SOCS-3 in deactivating JAK2 by direct association. Using SOCS-3 fusion proteins, we also define regions of the SOCS-3 protein that are critical for inhibition of LIF-induced POMC promoter activity. Corticotrophic signaling by LIF is thus subject to 2 forms of negative autoregulation: dephosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 by the SHP-1 tyrosine phosphatase, and SOCS-3-dependent inactivation of JAK2.

SOCS3 is essential in the regulation of fetal liver erythropoiesis

SOCS3 (CIS3/JAB2) is an SH2-containing protein that binds to the activation loop of Janus kinases, inhibiting kinase activity, and thereby suppressing cytokine signaling. During embryonic development, SOCS3 is highly expressed in erythroid lineage cells and is Epo independent. Transgene-mediated expression blocks fetal erythropoiesis, resulting in embryonic lethality. SOCS3 deletion results in an embryonic lethality at 12-16 days associated with marked erythrocytosis. Moreover, the in vitro proliferative capacity of progenitors is greatly increased. SOCS3-deficient fetal liver stem cells can reconstitute hematopoiesis in lethally irradiated adults, indicating that its absence does not disturb bone marrow erythropoiesis. Reconstitution of lymphoid lineages in JAK3-deficient mice also occurs normally. The results demonstrate that SOCS3 is critical in negatively regulating fetal liver hematopoiesis.

Lipopolysaccharide Induces in Macrophages the Synthesis of the Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 and Suppresses Signal Transduction in Response to the Activating Factor IFN-γ

The goal of this study was to investigate how bacterial LPS affects macrophage responsiveness to the activating factor IFN-γ. Pretreatment of macrophages with LPS for <2 h increased the transcriptional response to IFN-γ. In contrast, simultaneous stimulation with IFN-γ and LPS, or pretreatment with LPS for >4 h, suppressed Stat1 tyrosine 701 phosphorylation, dimerization, and transcriptional activity in response to IFN-γ. Consistently, the induction of MHCII protein by IFN-γ was antagonized by LPS pretreatment. Neutralizing Abs to IL-10 were without effect on LPS-mediated suppression of Stat1 activation. Decreased IFN-γ signal transduction after LPS treatment corresponded to a direct induction of suppressor of cytokine signaling3 (SOCS3) mRNA and protein. Under the same conditions socs1, socs2, and cis genes were not transcribed. In transfection assays, SOCS3 was found to suppress the transcriptional response of macrophages to IFN-γ. A causal link of decreased IFN-γ signaling to SOCS3 induction was also suggested by the LPS-dependent reduction of IFN-γ-mediated Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) activation. Further consistent with inhibitory activity of SOCS3, LPS also inhibited the JAK2-dependent activation of Stat5 by GM-CSF. Our results thus link the deactivating effect of chronic LPS exposure on macrophages with its ability to induce SOCS3.