Abstract

Suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) proteins are inhibitors of cytokine signalling pathways. Studies have shown that SOCS proteins are key physiological regulators of both innate and adaptive immunity. These molecules positively and negatively regulate macrophage and dendritic-cell activation and are essential for T-cell development and differentiation. Evidence is also emerging of the involvement of SOCS proteins in diseases of the immune system. In this Review we bring together data from recent studies on SOCS proteins and their role in immunity, and propose a cohesive model of how cytokine signalling regulates immune-cell function.

Author affiliations

1. Division of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
2. Laboratory for Immune Signal, National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, 7-6-8, Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0085, Japan.
3. Laboratory for Signal Network, RIKEN Research Center for Allergy and Immunology, RIKEN Yokohama Institute, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230–0045, Japan.

Correspondence to: Akihiko Yoshimura¹ Email: yakihiko@bioreg.kyushu-u.ac.jp

Published online 18 May 2007

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