Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription Proteins at the Nexus of Immunodeficiency, Autoimmunity and Cancer

Clifford Liongue; Mohamed Luban Sobah; Alister C Ward

doi:10.3390/biomedicines12010045

Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription Proteins at the Nexus of Immunodeficiency, Autoimmunity and Cancer

Biomedicines. 2023 Dec 23;12(1):45. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines12010045.

Authors

Clifford Liongue^{1

2}, Mohamed Luban Sobah¹, Alister C Ward^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia.
² Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia.

Abstract

The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family of proteins has been demonstrated to perform pivotal roles downstream of a myriad of cytokines, particularly those that control immune cell production and function. This is highlighted by both gain-of-function (GOF) and loss-of-function (LOF) mutations being implicated in various diseases impacting cells of the immune system. These mutations are typically inherited, although somatic GOF mutations are commonly observed in certain immune cell malignancies. This review details the growing appreciation of STAT proteins as a key node linking immunodeficiency, autoimmunity and cancer.

Keywords: STAT1; STAT2; STAT3; STAT5; STAT6; cancer; cytokine; immunity; inflammation.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

N/A/Deakin University