Induction of suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) in the retina during experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU): Potential neuroprotective role of SOCS proteins

Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) are implicated in immunopathogenic mechanisms of autoimmune diseases. We show here that SOCS expression in retina is temporarily correlated with progression of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), an organ-specific autoimmune disease that serves as model of human uveitis. Peak of EAU correlates with highest SOCS genes expression while disease resolution coincides with their down-regulation. Surprisingly, SOCS5 is constitutively expressed in retina. SOCS5 expression increases significantly during EAU and remains elevated even after disease resolution. Our data suggest that cytokine-inducible SOCS members may be involved in negative regulation of inflammatory cytokines activities during EAU, while constitutively expressed SOCS5 may have neuroprotective functions.