Suppressor of cytokine signaling 4 (SOCS4) protects against severe cytokine storm and enhances viral clearance during influenza infection

PLoS Pathog. 2014 May 8;10(5):e1004134. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004134. eCollection 2014 May.

Abstract

Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins are key regulators of innate and adaptive immunity. There is no described biological role for SOCS4, despite broad expression in the hematopoietic system. We demonstrate that mice lacking functional SOCS4 protein rapidly succumb to infection with a pathogenic H1N1 influenza virus (PR8) and are hypersusceptible to infection with the less virulent H3N2 (X31) strain. In SOCS4-deficient animals, this led to substantially greater weight loss, dysregulated pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production in the lungs and delayed viral clearance. This was associated with impaired trafficking of influenza-specific CD8 T cells to the site of infection and linked to defects in T cell receptor activation. These results demonstrate that SOCS4 is a critical regulator of anti-viral immunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity / genetics*
  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cytokines / adverse effects*
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Cytoprotection / genetics
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / prevention & control*
  • Inflammation Mediators / adverse effects
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / growth & development
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / immunology*
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / virology
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins / physiology*
  • Viral Load / genetics

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • SOCS4 protein, mouse
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins