Expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) gene dramatically increases in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) is a key regulator of cytokines signaling and plays the most important role in the regulation of the autoimmune responses. The absence of SOCS1 leads to aberrant thymocyte development and systemic inflammation. This study was conducted to evaluate the expression level of SOCS1 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of relapsing–remitting (RR)-multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. In addition, the association of rs243324 SNP with MS and the assessment of this SNP role on the expression level of SOCS1 were aimed to be evaluated. Our results revealed that, SOCS1 mRNA overexpressed (24.5 times) in MS patients versus healthy controls. The rs243324 SNP showed no association with MS susceptibility and this SNP was not in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in MS patients. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between SOCS1 expression levels with age of female control group (r=−0.43, P=0.03). Thus, we have probably shown some new evidences for the complex role of SOCS1 gene in the pathogenesis of MS.