SOCSI regulates interferon-gamma mediated sensory-neuron survival

Differentiation and survival of sensory neurons is regulated by factors suc h as NGF and LIF. Regulation of signal transduction pathways downstream of such factor signalling by suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) proteins , which negatively regulate the JAK/STAT pathway, may modulate biological o utcome. In this study, SOCS1 regulation of growth factor mediated sensory n euron survival was examined. SOCS1 expression by sensory neurons was up-reg ulated by IFN gamma. Survival of sensory neurons from SOCS1 null mice in NG F or LIF was similar to wildtype mice. IFN gamma partially supported surviv al of wilcitype neurons but supported survival of SOCS1 null neurons as eff ectively as NGF or LIF. Thus it appears that SOCS1 is a major regulator of sensory neuron responses to the inflammatory cytokine, IFN gamma. (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.