Suppressor of cytokine signaling 6 can enhance epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway in Bombyx mori (Dazao)

Cloning of suppressor of cytokine signaling 7 from silkworm (Bombyx mori) and its response to the infection of Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus

Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) play important roles in the regulation of growth, development, and immunity of eukaryotic organisms. SOCS7 is an important member of the SOCS family, but its physiological and pathological functions remain largely unknown in invertebrates including insects. Here, we first report the cloning of a SOCS7 gene from a domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori), named BmSOCS7. We have characterized BmSOCS7 expression profiles in silkworm varieties susceptible or resistant to the infection of Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) using the real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. BmSOCS7 expresses highly in embryogenesis and lowly in metamorphosis in resistant silkworms but does in opposite contrast in susceptible silkworms. Its expression is at very low level in the fat body of resistant silkworms but is relatively high in the fat body of susceptible ones. BmNPV inoculation induces a transient downregulation and then a general upregulation of BmSOCS7 expression in BmN cells, while it induces a general downregulation in silkworm midgut, fat body and hemolymph with more pronounced effect in resistant silkworms than susceptible ones and more prominent in the fat body and hemolymph than the midgut. Together, our work reveals that downregulation of BmSOCS7 expression may be an important strategy for silkworm anti-BmNPV immune response, and BmSOCS7 may mainly function in the fat body and hemolymph rather than the midgut to participate in BmNPV infection process.

SOCS-JAK-STAT inhibitors and SOCS mimetics as treatment options for autoimmune uveitis, psoriasis, lupus, and autoimmune encephalitis

Autoimmune diseases arise from atypical immune responses that attack self-tissue epitopes, and their development is intricately connected to the disruption of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, where SOCS proteins play crucial roles. Conditions such as autoimmune uveitis, psoriasis, lupus, and autoimmune encephalitis exhibit immune system dysfunctions associated with JAK-STAT signaling dysregulation. Emerging therapeutic strategies utilize JAK-STAT inhibitors and SOCS mimetics to modulate immune responses and alleviate autoimmune manifestations. Although more research and clinical studies are required to assess their effectiveness, safety profiles, and potential for personalized therapeutic approaches in autoimmune conditions, JAK-STAT inhibitors and SOCS mimetics show promise as potential treatment options. This review explores the action, effectiveness, safety profiles, and future prospects of JAK inhibitors and SOCS mimetics as therapeutic agents for psoriasis, autoimmune uveitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and autoimmune encephalitis. The findings underscore the importance of investigating these targeted therapies to advance treatment options for individuals suffering from autoimmune diseases.

SOCSs: important regulators of host cell susceptibility or resistance to viral infection

Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCSs) are implicated in viral infection and host antiviral innate immune response. Recent studies demonstrate that viruses can hijack SOCSs to inhibit Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway, block the production and signaling of interferons (IFNs). At the same time, viruses can hijack SOCS to regulate non-IFN factors to evade antiviral response. Host cells can also regulate SOCSs to resist viral infection. The competition of the control of SOCSs may largely determine the fate of viral infection and the susceptibility or resistance of host cells, which is of significance for development of novel antiviral therapies targeting SOCSs. Accumulating evidence reveal that the regulation and function of SOCSs by viruses and host cells are very complicated, which is determined by characteristics of both viruses and host cell types. This report presents a systematic review to evaluate the roles of SOCSs in viral infection and host antiviral responses. One of messages worth attention is that all eight SOCS members should be investigated to accurately characterize their roles and relative contribution in each viral infection, which may help identify the most effective SOCS to be used in "individualized" antiviral therapy.

Antheraea pernyi Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 2 Negatively Modulates the JAK/STAT Pathway to Attenuate Microbial Infection

The Janus kinase (JAK) signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway has been shown to govern various physiological processes, including immune responses, hematopoiesis, cell growth, and differentiation. Recent studies show that suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins attenuate JAK-STAT signaling in mammals; however, their functions are less clear in lepidopteran insects. Here, we report a full-length sequence of SOCS-2 from the Chinese oak silkworm Antheraea pernyi (designated as ApSOCS-2) and study its biological role in immune responses via the JAK-STAT pathway. ApSOCS-2 expression was high in the fat bodies and hemocytes of A. pernyi fifth instar larvae. After pathogen infection with nucleopolyhedrovirus, Beauveria bassiana, Escherichia coli, and Microccus luteus, ApSOCS-2 mRNA was strongly increased compared to the control group. To elucidate the possible involvement in innate immunity, we measured antimicrobial peptide genes expression profiles in the fat body of A. pernyi. In contrast, recombinant ApSOCS-2 protein administration significantly reduced the AMPs transcription, while the depletion of ApSOCS-2 by RNAi increased their expression. Furthermore, we observed higher antibacterial activity and lower bacterial replication in dsApSOCS-2-treated larvae. The ApSOCS-2 transcription level was reduced in STAT depleted A. pernyi larvae challenged by M. luteus. The ApSOCS-2 RNAi data sets were also subjected to transcriptomic analysis, which suggests that ApSOCS-2 is a key regulator of immune function. Taken together, our data suggest that ApSOCS-2 is required for the negative regulation of AMPs transcripts via the JAK-STAT pathway in the insect.

Identification and the immunological role of two Nimrod family genes in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

In animals, immune signaling pathways and effector molecules participate in attenuating microbial infection. Recent work has shown that the Nimrod family proteins can directly bind to bacteria, and this binding leads to bacterial phagocytosis. Although the Nimrod gene family has been reported in many non-drosophilids, their functions remain unexplored in most insect species. Here, we report two members (Nimrod-B and Draper) of the Nimrod gene family from Bombyx mori and analyzed their role in immunity. The two genes were ubiquitously expressed in the tested tissues; but, they transcribed preferentially in immune tissues. The developmental profiles showed that BmNimrod-B and BmDraper transcription levels were highest in the pupal stages. Challenge with microbial pathogens induced the transcription levels of all two genes at different time points. Knockdown of BmDraper decreased the bacterial clearance and increased their replication relative to the control group, whereas, BmNimrod-B suppression had a non-significant effect on them. Furthermore, the mortality rate was increased after BmDraper silencing. The knockdown of these genes did not significantly affect the production of antimicrobial peptides following E. coli infection. Taken together, the Nimrod family genes play a crucial role in host defense by positively regulating the antibacterial immune response in silkworm B. mori.

Suppressor of cytokine signalling 6 is a potential regulator of antimicrobial peptides in the Chinese oak silkworm, Antheraea pernyi

The SOCS/CIS is a family of intracellular proteins distributed widely among living organisms. The members of this family have extensively been studied in mammals and have been shown to regulate various physiological processes. In contrast, the functional roles of SOCS/CIS family proteins are unknown in most invertebrates, including insects. Here, we retrieved a full-length open reading frame (ORF) of SOCS-6 from Chines oak silkworm, Antheraea pernyi (Designated as ApSOCS-6), using the RNA-seq database. The predicted ApSOCS-6 amino acid sequence comprised an N-terminal SH2 domain and a C-terminal SOCS-box domain. It shared the highly conserved structures of the SOCS proteins with other lepidopteran species. ApSOCS-6 mRNA transcript was detected in all the tested tissues of the A. pernyi larvae; however, the highest mRNA levels were found in the larval hemocytes, fat bodies, and integuments. The mRNA transcript levels of ApSOCS-6 were increased in the A. pernyi larval hemocytes and fat bodies after a challenge by the Gram-positive bacteria, M. luteus, Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, Virus, ApNPV, and Fungus, B. bassiana. After the knockdown of ApSOCS-6, we found a significant increase in bacterial clearance and a decrease in the relative replication of bacteria. To evaluate the possible cause of enhanced antibacterial activity, we measured antimicrobial peptides expression in the fat body of A. pernyi larvae. The production of AMPs was strongly increased in the B. cereus infected larval fat bodies following silencing of ApSOCS-6. Our data indicate that ApSOCS-6 negatively regulates the expression of AMPs in immune tissues in response to the B. cereus challenge.

A review on the DNA methyltransferase family of insects: Aspect and prospects

The DNA methyltransferase family contains a conserved set of DNA-modifying enzymatic proteins. They are responsible for epigenetic gene modulation, such as transcriptional silencing, transcription activation, and post-transcriptional modulation. Recent research has revealed that the canonical DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) biological roles go beyond their traditional functions of establishing and maintaining DNA methylation patterns. Although a complete DNA methylation toolkit is absent in most insect orders, recent evidence indicates the de novo DNA methylation and maintenance function remain conserved. Studies using various molecular approaches provided evidence that DNMTs are multi-functional proteins. However, still in-depth studies on their biological role lack due to the least studied area in insects. Here, we review the DNA methylation toolkit of insects, focusing on recent research on various insect orders, which exhibit DNA methylation at different levels, and for which DNMTs functional studies have become available in recent years. We survey research on the potential roles of DNMTs in the regulation of gene transcription in insect species. DNMTs participate in different physiological processes by interacting with other epigenetic factors. Future studies on insect's DNMTs will benefit to understand developmental processes, responses to various stimuli, and adaptability of insects to different environmental conditions.

Scavenger receptor B8 improves survivability by mediating innate immunity in silkworm, Bombyx mori

Scavenger receptor class B (SR-B) is an extracellular transmembrane glycoprotein that plays a vital role in innate immunity. Although SR-Bs have been widely studied in vertebrates, their functions remained to elucidate in insects. Here, we identified and characterized a scavenger receptor class B member from the silkworm, Bombyx mori (designated as BmSCRB8). BmSCRB8 is broadly expressed in various immune tissues/organs, including fat body, gut, and hemocyte. Its expression is dramatically enhanced after challenge with different types of bacteria or pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). The recombinant BmSCRB8 protein can detect different types of bacteria by directly binding to PAMPs and significantly improve the bacterial clearance in vivo. After knockdown of BmSCRB8, the pathogenic bacterial clearance was strongly impaired, and several AMP genes were down-regulated following E. coli challenge. Moreover, pathogenic bacteria's treatment following the depletion of BmSCRB8 remarkably decreased silkworm larvae's survival rate. Taken together, these results demonstrate that BmSCRB8 acts as a pattern recognition protein and plays an essential role in silkworm innate immunity by enhancing bacterial clearance and contributing to the production of AMPs in vivo.

Molecular characterization of a heat shock protein 21 (Hsp21) from red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii in response to immune stimulation

Small heat shock proteins are a molecular chaperone and implicated in various physiological and stress processes in animals. However, the immunological functions of Hsp genes remain to elucidate in the crustaceans, particularly in red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii. Here we report the cloning of heat shock protein 21 from the P. clarkii (hereafter Pc-Hsp21). The open reading frame of Pc-Hsp21 was 555 base pairs, encoding a protein of 184 amino acid residues with an alpha-crystallin family domain. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed a constitutive transcript expression of Pc-Hsp21 in the tested tissue, with the highest in hepatopancreas. The transcript abundance for this gene enhanced in hepatopancreas following immune challenge with the lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan, and poly I:C compared to the control group. The depletion of Pc-Hsp21 by double-stranded RNA altered transcript expression profiles of several genes in hepatopancreas, genes involved in the crucial immunological pathways of P. clarkii. These results suggest that Pc-Hsp21 plays an essential biological role in the microbial stress response by modulating the expression of immune-related genes in P. clarkii.

Mycobacteriosis in Aquatic Invertebrates: A Review of Its Emergence

Mycobacteriosis is a chronic bacterial disease reported in aquatic and terrestrial animals, including humans. The disease affects a wide range of cultured and wild organisms worldwide. Mycobacteriosis is well-known in aquatic vertebrates (e.g., finfish, marine mammals), while in the last few years, reports of its presence in aquatic invertebrates have been on the rise, for both freshwater and marine species. The number of cases is likely to increase as a result of increased awareness, surveillance and availability of diagnostic methods. Domestication of wild aquatic species and the intensification of modern aquaculture are also leading to an increase in the number of reported cases. Moreover, climate changes are affecting fresh and marine aquatic ecosystems. The increasing reports of mycobacteriosis in aquatic invertebrates may also be influenced by global climate warming, which could contribute to the microbes' development and survival rates, pathogen transmission and host susceptibility. Several species of the genus Mycobacterium have been diagnosed in aquatic invertebrates; a few of them are significant due to their wide host spectrum, economic impact in aquaculture, and zoonotic potential. The impact of mycobacteriosis in aquatic invertebrates is probably underestimated, and there is currently no effective treatment other than facility disinfection. In this review, we provide an overview of the diversity of mycobacterial infections reported in molluscs, crustaceans, cnidarians, echinoderms and sponges. We highlight important issues relating to its pathological manifestation, diagnosis and zoonotic considerations.

Hedgehog promotes cell proliferation in the midgut of silkworm, Bombyx mori

The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is one of the major regulators of embryonic development and tissue homeostasis in multicellular organisms. However, the role of this pathway in the silkworm, especially in the silkworm midgut, remains poorly understood. Here, we report that Bombyx mori Hedgehog (BmHh) is expressed in most tissues of silkworm larvae and that its functions are well-conserved throughout evolution. We further demonstrate that the messenger RNA of four Hh signaling components, BmHh ligand, BmPtch receptor, signal transducer BmSmo and transcription factor BmCi, are all upregulated following Escherichia coli or Bacillus thuringiensis infection, indicating the activation of the Hh pathway. Simultaneously, midgut cell proliferation is strongly promoted. Conversely, the repression of Hh signal transduction with double-stranded RNA or cyclopamine inhibits the expression of BmHh and BmCi and reduces cell proliferation. Overall, these findings provide new insights into the Hh signaling pathway in the silkworm, B. mori.

Zinc finger protein RP-8, the Bombyx mori ortholog of programmed cell death 2, regulates cell proliferation

Programmed cell death 2 (PDCD2) is a highly conserved eukaryotic protein indispensable for various physiological processes such as cell proliferation, development, and apoptosis. In the present study, we identified a Zinc finger protein RP-8 from the silkworm, Bombyx mori (BmZfrp8), the ortholog of PDCD2 protein. The quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed the ubiquitous distribution of BmZfrp8 in the different tissues; however, the gene's transcription level was highest in those of the silk gland, testis, and ovary. Additionally, the expression levels of BmZfrp8 were unequal on different days of embryonic development, and it reached the highest level on the 5th day of early development. The challenge with pathogens influenced the expression level of BmZfrp8 in both hemocyte and fat body when compared with the control. Administration of 20-hydroxyecdysone significantly enhanced the BmZfrp8 expression in hemocyte. The knock-down of BmZfrp8 by double-stranded RNA suppressed the expression of developmental pathway associated genes as well as cell cycle-associated genes. Furthermore, the RNAi treated cells also showed cell cycle arrest compared to the control group. Taken together, BmZfrp8 may have a critical biological role in of B. mori, since it regulates the expression of the developmental pathway and cell cycle-associated genes.

Suppressors of cytokine signaling proteins as modulators of development and innate immunity of insects

The suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) are a family of intracellular molecules. Many members of this family have been reported to be involved in various physiological processes in invertebrates and vertebrates (e.g., developmental process and immune response). The functions of SOCS molecules seem to remain conserved in animals throughout evolutionary history. The members of the SOCS family play vital roles in the physiological processes by regulating the extent and duration of signaling activities of both Janus Kinase-Signal Transducer and Activators of Transcription (JAK-STAT) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathways in vivo. So far, in different insect species, a variable number of SOCS and SOCS box domain-containing proteins have been identified. These proteins are categorized into different types based on their sequence diversification, leading to an alteration in structure and regulatory function. The biological roles of the many SOCS proteins have been established as a negative or positive regulator of the signaling pathways, as mentioned earlier. Here, we discussed the existing knowledge on the SOCS proteins and their involvement in different biological functions in insects, and future perspectives to further elucidate their physiological roles.

CgSOCS6 negatively regulates the expression of CgIL17s and CgDefh1 in the pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas

As a family of negatively feedback regulating factors, the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) can depress cytokine signal transduction, and eventually modulate growth, development, differentiation, and immune response. In the present study, a SOCS homologue (designated as CgSOCS6) was identified from oyster Crassostrea gigas. The open reading frame of CgSOCS6 cDNA was of 1167 bp encoding a peptide of 388 amino acid residues with a central Src homology 2 (SH2) domain, a conserved C-terminal SOCS box, and a nucleus localization sequence (NLS) in its N-terminus. The deduced amino acid sequence of CgSOCS6 shared 37.9-45.5% similarity with other SOCS6/7 family members. In the unrooted phylogenetic tree, CgSOCS6 was clustered with EsSOCS6 from Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis and assigned into the SOCS6/7 group. The mRNA transcripts of CgSOCS6 were constitutively distributed in all the tested tissues, with the highest level in hemocytes. After lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, the mRNA expression of CgSOCS6 in hemocytes was significantly up-regulated to the highest level at 6 h (8.48-fold compared to the control group, p < 0.01), and then kept at a relatively higher level from 12 h to 72 h. CgSOCS6 protein could be translocated into the hemocyte nucleus after LPS stimulation. The mRNA expressions of interleukin 17-4 (CgIL17-4), CgIL17-5, and defensin (CgDefh1) in the hemocytes of CgSOCS6-knockdown oysters increased significantly (2.55-fold, 2.68-fold, 4.68-fold of that in EGFP-RNAi oysters, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.001, respectively) after LPS stimulation. These findings suggested that CgSOCS6 was involved in the oyster immune response by regulating the expressions of CgIL17-4, CgIL17-5, and CgDefh1.

Involvement of gamma interferon inducible lysosomal thiol reductase in the innate immune responses of red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii

The Gamma interferon inducible lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT) plays a key biological role in the immune responses and involves in the processing of class II MHC-restricted antigen by stimulating disulfide bond reduction in mammals. To determine the biological function of GILT in the innate immune system of crustaceans, we sequenced and cloned GILT gene from red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Pc-GILT). The deduced amino acid sequence of Pc-GILT contained the putative conserved structures of the GILT family proteins: the GILT signature (CQHGX2ECX2NX4C) sequence and the active site (CXXS) motif. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot analysis suggested that a recombinant Pc-GILT protein was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli). Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that Pc-GILT transcript level was highest in the hepatopancreas followed by the gut, heart and muscles. Additionally, we analyzed the transcription level of Pc-GILT gene in hepatopancreas of red swamp crayfish under biotic stress conditions. The expression of Pc-GILT gene upregulated after viral (poly I:C) and bacterial (peptidoglycan, lipopolysaccharide) infection. The suppression of Pc-GILT by double stranded RNA influenced the transcript levels of various immune-related genes. These observations indicate that the Pc-GILT probably plays a key biological role in the innate immune responses of red swamp crayfish, since it modulates the expression of genes associated with immune pathways.

The biological role of peroxiredoxins in innate immune responses of aquatic invertebrates

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are a widespread and greatly transcribed family of antioxidant proteins, which rapidly detoxify peroxynitrite, hydrogen peroxide and organic hydroperoxides. The Prxs family members also modulate various physiological functions, including cell growth, differentiation, embryonic development, immune response, apoptosis, lipid metabolism, and cellular homeostasis. In mammals, the physiological functions of Prxs have extensively been studied; however, the knowledge is scanty in their counterpart, aquatic invertebrates. In recent years, substantial progress has been made in our knowledge of Prxs physiological functions in aquatic invertebrates, which has raised interest in defining the contribution of immune responses and removal of reactive oxygen species. In this review, we describe the recent knowledge on the Prxs physiological function in immune responses and DNA protection activity in aquatic invertebrates.

Peroxiredoxin 6 modulates Toll signaling pathway and protects DNA damage against oxidative stress in red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)

Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prx6) is an important member of the peroxiredoxin family that plays critical roles in protecting host against the toxicity of oxidative stress and participates in cell signaling. Herein, we report Prx6 gene from red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii. The cDNA fragment of PcPrx6 was 660 bp, encoding a 219 amino acid residues protein. The quantitative real time PCR analysis showed ubiquitous expression of PcPrx6 mRNA in the tested tissues. The challenge with peptidoglycan and Poly I:C remarkably suppressed the mRNA level of PcPrx6 in hepatopancreas at 3, 12, 48 h compared with the PBS control. However, the expression level significantly increased after 36 h of their treatment. The knockdown of PcPrx6 by small interference RNA significantly enhanced the transcript levels of Toll pathway-responsive genes at 24 h. Recombinant PcPrx6 protein was purified using affinity chromatography and analyzed for its biological role. The results revealed that the recombinant PcPrx6 protein manifested the ability to protect supercoiled DNA damage from oxidative stress elicited by mixed function oxidative assay. Altogether, PcPrx6 may have multiple functional roles in the physiology of P. clarkii, since it negatively regulates the Toll signaling transduction and protects supercoiled DNA damage from oxidative stress.

Advances in Targeting the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Pathway by Synthetic Products and Its Regulation by Epigenetic Modulators As a Therapy for Glioblastoma

Glioma is the most common primary tumor of the nervous system, and approximately 50% of patients exhibit the most aggressive form of the cancer, glioblastoma. The biological function of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in tumorigenesis and progression has been established in various types of cancers, since it is overexpressed, mutated, or dysregulated. Its overexpression has been shown to be associated with enhanced metastatic potential in glioblastoma, with EGFR at the top of a downstream signaling cascade that controls basic functional properties of glioblastoma cells such as survival, cell proliferation, and migration. Thus, EGFR is considered as an important therapeutic target in glioblastoma. Many anti-EGFR therapies have been investigated both in vivo and in vitro, making their way to clinical studies. However, in clinical trials, the potential efficacy of anti-EGFR therapies is low, primarily because of chemoresistance. Currently, a range of epigenetic drugs including histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, DNA methylation and histone inhibitors, microRNA, and different types of EGFR inhibitor molecules are being actively investigated in glioblastoma patients as therapeutic strategies. Here, we describe recent knowledge on the signaling pathways mediated by EGFR/EGFR variant III (EGFRvIII) with regard to current therapeutic strategies to target EGFR/EGFRvIII amplified glioblastoma.

Molecular Cloning and Expression Analysis of Three Suppressors of Cytokine Signaling Genes (SOCS5, SOCS6, SOCS7) in the Mealworm Beetle Tenebrio molitor

Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) influence cytokine and growth factor signaling by negatively regulating the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) pathway to maintain homeostasis during immune responses. However, functional characterization of SOCS family members in invertebrates is limited. Here, we identified and evaluated three SOCS genes (type I sub-family) in the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor. The full-length open reading frames (ORFs) of TmSOCS5, TmSOCS6, and TmSOCS7 comprised of 1389, 897, and 1458 nucleotides, encoding polypeptides of 462, 297, and 485 amino acids, respectively. The SH2 and SOCS box domains of the TmSOCS C-terminal region were highly conserved. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these SOCS genes were clustered within the type I subfamily that exhibits the highest amino acid identity with Tribolium castaneum SOCS genes. Contrary to TmSOCS7 expression, the expression levels of TmSOCS5 and TmSOCS6 were lower in the larval, pupal, and adult stages. In larvae and adults, the expression levels of TmSOCS5 and TmSOCS6 were highest in the hemocytes and ovaries, respectively. SOCS transcripts were also highly upregulated in the hemocytes of T. molitor larvae within 3–6 h post-infection with the fungus Candida albicans. Collectively, these results provide valuable information regarding the involvement of TmSOCS type-I subfamily in the host immune response of insects.