# Cytokine inducible SH2-containing protein: a versatile negative regulator of cytokine receptor signaling

**Authors:** Wasan Naser, Alister C. Ward

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1752876 · Frontiers in Immunology · 2026-03-09

## TL;DR

This paper reviews the roles of CISH, a protein that regulates cytokine signaling in immune and other cells, and its involvement in diseases and potential therapeutic applications.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive narrative review of CISH's diverse regulatory functions and disease associations.

## Key findings

- CISH regulates T cell, NK cell, and myeloid cell functions through various cytokine pathways.
- CISH contributes to erythropoiesis and appetite control via EPO and leptin signaling.
- CISH is linked to immune disorders and may serve as a target for immunotherapy.

## Abstract

Cytokine inducible SH2-containing protein (CISH) was the founding member of the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family of negative regulators. However, the subsequent elucidation of the physiological roles of CISH has been a slow process, reflecting its often subtle basal functions. Here we provide a narrative review of the literature highlighting the niche roles played by CISH principally in the control of cytokine signaling that impacts immune, blood and other cells. CISH regulates T cell production, polarization and activation through interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4 and the T cell receptor (TCR), natural killer (NK) cell production and activation via IL-15, generation and/or activation of neutrophil, dendritic cell (DC) and macrophage populations through granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), erythrocyte production via erythropoietin (EPO), and appetite control through leptin. Many of these roles are performed by CISH in concert with other SOCS proteins, providing additional complexity. CISH has also been identified in the etiology of several human diseases, particularly immune disorders, such as allergy and susceptibility to infectious disease, as well as a potential target to augment immunotherapy.

## Linked entities

- **Genes:** CISH (cytokine inducible SH2 containing protein) [NCBI Gene 1154]
- **Proteins:** CISH (cytokine inducible SH2 containing protein), CISH (cytokine inducible SH2 containing protein), IL2 (interleukin 2), IL4 (interleukin 4), Tcr (Third chromosome alpha methyl dopa-resistant), IL15 (interleukin 15), CSF2 (colony stimulating factor 2), EPO (erythropoietin), lepa (leptin a)
- **Diseases:** allergy (MONDO:0005271), infectious disease (MONDO:0005550)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** CISH (cytokine inducible SH2 containing protein) [NCBI Gene 1154] {aka BACTS2, CIS, CIS-1, G18, SOCS}, TRBV20OR9-2 (T cell receptor beta variable 20/OR9-2 (non-functional)) [NCBI Gene 6962] {aka CDR3, TCRBV20S2, TCRBV2O, TCRBV2S2O}, EPO (erythropoietin) [NCBI Gene 2056] {aka DBAL, ECYT5, EP, MVCD2}, IL4 (interleukin 4) [NCBI Gene 3565] {aka BCGF-1, BCGF1, BSF-1, BSF1, IL-4}, CSF2 (colony stimulating factor 2) [NCBI Gene 1437] {aka CSF, GMCSF}, IL15 (interleukin 15) [NCBI Gene 3600] {aka IL-15}, LEP (leptin) [NCBI Gene 3952] {aka LEPD, OB, OBS}
- **Diseases:** infectious disease (MESH:D003141), allergy (MESH:D004342)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

2 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13006268/full.md

## References

84 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13006268/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13006268