Expression Analysis of SOCS Genes in Migraine

Migraine is a complex neurological condition affecting a large proportion of persons. Dysregulation of several immune-related transcripts has been noted in migraineurs suggesting an immune-based background for this condition. We measured expression levels suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) genes in the venous blood of migraineurs compared with controls. SOCS1 was down-regulated in patients without aura compared with controls [Ratio of mean expression (RME) = 0.08, P value < 0.001]. This pattern was also detected among female subgroups (RME = 0.06, P value = 0.010), but not among male subgroups (RME = 0.22, P value = 0.114). Expression of SOCS1 was significantly higher in patients with aura compared with those without aura (RME = 5.89, P value = 0.037). Meanwhile, expression of SOCS2 was lower in migraineurs with aura compared with controls (RME = 0.03, P value < 0.001). In addition, this gene was under-expressed in patients without aura compared with controls and in both sex-based subgroups of this group of patients (RME = 0.01, P value < 0.001 for all comparisons). However, its expression was higher in male patients with aura compared with those without aura (P value < 0.001). For SOCS3, we detected a lower level of expression in patients without aura compared with controls (RME = 0.07, P value < 0.001). However, the expression of SOCS3 was higher in patients with aura compared with those without aura (RME = 7.46, P value = 0.001). SOCS5 was down-regulated in patients without aura compared with controls (RME = 0.10, P value < 0.001). Expression of this gene was also lower in patients with aura compared with controls (RME = 0.03, P value < 0.001), and in male patients of this group compared with controls (RME = 0.03, P value = 0.004). On the other hand, expression of SOCS5 was higher in male patients with aura compared with sex-matched patients without aura (RME = 6.67, P value = 0.001). SOCS2 levels could appropriately differentiate migraineurs from healthy subjects. The current study suggests the role of SOCS genes in the pathoetiology of migraine.