Regulating Interferon signalling in innate immunity

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Our innate immune system evolved as the front line defence against infection. However an uncontrolled response can lead to serious diseases such as septic shock, chronic inflammation as in hepatitis, autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. The immune respnse is regulated by important hormones such as interferon produced by the body in these situations. This project aims to understand the negative or inhibitory mechanisms that prevent dangerous side effects of interferons without restricting their postive or beneficial effects. We will examine the actions of a molecule called the Suppressor of cytokin Signaling 1 (socs1) which we have recently discovered to modulate the actions of interferon in the mouse. Initially our studies will determine which molecules SOCS1 binds to inside a cell and the consequences for cell activation pathways. The next step will be to specifically block this interaction in the mouse and determine the effects on models of viral infection and inflammatory disease. The outcome of these studies will be a better understanding of how the body fights disease via the immune response and potential new approaches to develop therapeutic drugs.