SOCS1 and Regulation of Regulatory T Cells Plasticity

Figure 3

Role of STAT1 and STAT3 in Foxp3 expression and cytokine production in Tregs. SOCS1 protects Tregs from harmful effects of inflammatory cytokines, which promote the loss of Foxp3 expression and the conversion into Th1- and Th17-like effector cells. Hyperactivation of IFN-γ-STAT1 pathway results in the loss of Foxp3 expression and hyperproduction of IFN-γ. Although STAT3 is not directly involved in Foxp3 expression maintenance, it may be crucial for suppression of the production of IL-17. SOCS1-deficient Tregs may expand faster due to hyperactivation of STAT5.