SOCS1 is essential for regulatory T cell functions by preventing loss of Foxp3 expression as well as IFN-γ and IL-17A production

Regulatory T cells (T(reg) cells) maintain immune homeostasis by limiting inflammatory responses. SOCS1 (suppressor of cytokine signaling 1), a negative regulator of cytokine signaling, is necessary for the suppressor functions of T(reg) cells in vivo, yet detailed mechanisms remain to be clarified. We found that Socs1(−/−) T(reg) cells produced high levels of IFN-γ and rapidly lost Foxp3 when transferred into Rag2(−/−) mice or cultured in vitro, even though the CNS2 (conserved noncoding DNA sequence 2) in the Foxp3 enhancer region was fully demethylated. Socs1(−/−) T(reg) cells showed hyperactivation of STAT1 and STAT3. Because Foxp3 expression was stable and STAT1 activation was at normal levels in Ifnγ(−/−)Socs1(−/−) T(reg) cells, the restriction of IFN-γ–STAT1 signaling by SOCS1 is suggested to be necessary for stable Foxp3 expression. However, Ifnγ(−/−)Socs1(−/−) T(reg) cells had hyperactivated STAT3 and higher IL-17A (IL-17) production compared with Ifnγ(−/−)Socs1(+/+) T(reg) cells and could not suppress colitis induced by naive T cells in Rag2(−/−) mice. In vitro experiments suggested that cytokines produced by Socs1(−/−) T(reg) cells and Ifnγ(−/−)Socs1(−/−) T(reg) cells modulated antigen-presenting cells for preferential Th1 and Th17 induction, respectively. We propose that SOCS1 plays important roles in T(reg) cell integrity and function by maintaining Foxp3 expression and by suppressing IFN-γ and IL-17 production driven by STAT1 and STAT3, respectively.