Gene Expression of Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 (SOCS3), Interferons Alpha and Beta (IFN-α and β) in Common Warts

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous warts are benign epidermal growths caused by low-risk human papillomavirus. Interferon promotes an "antiviral state" in infected cells and neighboring cells through the activation of interferon-stimulated genes. The suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins bind to both Janus kinase and tyrosine kinase receptors, which further inhibit signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 phosphorylation. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the tissue gene expression of SOCS3 and interferons alpha and beta ( IFN-α and β ) in common warts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients with common warts, aged between 18 and 50 years, and 40 healthy controls were recruited. The gene expression of IFN-α, IFN-β, and SOCS3 by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in the skin biopsies from the warts, normal skin of the patients, and healthy controls was estimated. RESULTS: The median level of IFN-α was significantly higher in warts than non-lesional skin (20.8 vs 1) and both were significantly higher than that of control skin (0.7). The median level of IFN-β was significantly higher in warts than in non-lesional skin (20.7 vs 1.4) and both were significantly higher than that of control skin (1). The median level of SOCS3 was higher in nonlesional skin than in warts (1.05 vs 1), and both were significantly higher than that of control skin (0.1). LIMITATIONS: Small sample size. CONCLUSION: The expressions of IFN-α, IFN-β, and SOCS3 genes were significantly elevated in the lesional and nonlesional skin of patients with warts than in the control skin.