title: Constitutive SOCS-3 expression protects T-cell lymphoma against growth inhibition by IFNalpha.
abstract: Signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)3 is constitutively activated in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), where it protects tumour cells against apoptosis. The constitutive activation of Stat3 leads to a constitutive expression of suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS)-3. In healthy cells, SOCS-3 is transiently expressed following cytokine stimulation and functions as a negative feedback inhibitor of the Stat3-activating kinases. Here, we attempt to resolve the apparent paradox of a simultaneous SOCS-3 expression and Stat3 activation in the same cells. We show that (i) SOCS-3 expression in tumour cells is equal to or higher than in cytokine-stimulated nonmalignant T cells, (ii) SOCS-3 is not mutated in CTCL, (iii) overexpression of SOCS-3 blocks IFNalpha-mediated growth inhibition without affecting Stat3 activation, growth, and apoptosis, and (iv) inhibition of SOCS-3 by a dominant negative Stat3 (Stat3D) increases the IFNalpha-mediated growth inhibition. Taken together, these data show that SOCS-3 does not inhibit Stat3 activation, growth, and survival in CTCL. In contrast, SOCS3 protects tumour cells against growth inhibition by IFNalpha. Unlike SOCS-1, SOCS-3 is therefore not a tumour suppressor but rather a protector of tumour cells.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brender
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lovato
authors.forename: V H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Sommer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Woetmann
authors.forename: A-M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mathiesen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Geisler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wasik
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ødum
mesh_terms: D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D000071223:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein; D050826:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C106644:SOCS3 protein, human; D000071223:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein; D050826:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors