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Updated: Mar 15, 2026
Ex Vivo Corneal Organ Culture Model for Wound Healing Studies
Published on: February 15, 2019
Expression of the SOCS family in human chronic wound tissues: Potential implications for SOCS in chronic wound
Yi Feng1, Andrew J Sanders1, Fiona Ruge1
1Cardiff China Medical Research Collaborative, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK.
Abstract:
Cytokines play important roles in the wound healing process through various signalling pathways. The JAK-STAT pathway is utilised by most cytokines for signal transduction and is regulated by a variety of molecules, including suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) proteins. SOCS are associated with inflammatory diseases and have an impact on cytokines, growth factors and key cell types involved in the wound‑healing process. SOCS, a negative regulator of cytokine signalling, may hold the potential to regulate cytokine‑induced signalling in the chronic wound‑healing process. Wound edge tissues were collected from chronic venous leg ulcer patients and classified as non-healing and healing wounds. The expression pattern of seven SOCSs members, at the transcript and protein level, were examined in these tissues using qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Significantly higher levels of SOCS3 (P=0.0284) and SOCS4 (P=0.0376) in non-healing chronic wounds compared to the healing/healed chronic wounds were observed at the transcript level. Relocalisation of SOCS3 protein in the non-healing wound environment was evident in the investigated chronic biopsies. Thus, the results show that the expression of SOCS transcript indicated that SOCS members may act as a prognostic biomarker of chronic wounds.
Insights
Suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) proteins, particularly SOCS3 and SOCS4, were found at higher levels in non-healing chronic wounds. These SOCS proteins may serve as biomarkers for predicting chronic wound healing outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Cytokines are crucial for wound healing, utilizing pathways like JAK-STAT for signal transduction.
- Suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) proteins regulate these pathways and are linked to inflammatory diseases.
- SOCS proteins influence key cellular components and growth factors in wound healing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of SOCS family members in chronic wound tissues.
- To determine if SOCS expression can serve as a prognostic biomarker for chronic wound healing.
Main Methods:
- Wound edge tissues from chronic venous leg ulcer patients (non-healing vs. healing) were analyzed.
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to examine SOCS transcript levels.
- Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess SOCS protein expression and localization.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher transcript levels of SOCS3 (P=0.0284) and SOCS4 (P=0.0376) were observed in non-healing wounds compared to healing wounds.
- Relocalization of SOCS3 protein was evident in the non-healing wound microenvironment.
- Expression patterns of seven SOCS members were examined at both transcript and protein levels.
Conclusions:
- SOCS transcript expression levels suggest a potential role as prognostic biomarkers for chronic wounds.
- SOCS3 and SOCS4 may be key regulators in the chronicity of wound healing.
- Further research into SOCS proteins could offer new therapeutic strategies for chronic wound management.
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