Multipleroles of SOCS proteins: Differential expressions of SOCS1 and SOCS3 in atherosclerosis / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

Objective: To illuminate the changes in expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) and the correlation between SOCS expression and cholesterol levels in atherosclerosis (AS). Methods: A mouse AS model was established in apolipoprotein-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice. The mice were fed either with a chow or high-fat diet. The mRNA and protein expressions of SOCS1 and SOCS3 in plaque and vessels were determined at different time points. Furthermore, SOCS1 and SOCS3 mRNA expressions were detected in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from 18 male subjects with no coronary heart disease (non-CHD). Results: The expression of SOCS1 in the ApoE-/- mice increased first and then decreased and the high-fat diet accelerated the appearance of the peak. The expression of SOCS3 increased with the increase of feeding duration, and this trend was more pronounced in the mice fed with high-fat diet. SOCS1/CD68 and SOCS3/CD68 showed the opposite trend in expression with the increased duration of high-fat diet. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression in the aorta of the ApoE-/- mice fed with high-fat diet also increased with the increased feeding duration. In the non-CHD group, the total serum cholesterol level was positively correlated with SOCS3 mRNA expression in the PBMCs (r=0.433, P=0.012). Conclusion: These results demonstrate the differential expressions of SOCS1 and SOCS3 in AS and suggest that SOCS3, together with IL-6, may promote the formation and development of AS.