Although stimulation of SOCS1 and SOCS3 during experimental MAIDS-related MCMV retinitis suggests that one or both of these contribute to the severity of the disease, at this time it remains unknown whether SOCS1 and/or SOCS3 inhibition or overexpression would improve the clinical outcome of AIDS-related HCMV retinitis. The gene discussed is SOCS1; the disease is retinitis.