This hypothesis is supported by reports demonstrating that overexpression of suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1), repressing IFN-γ signaling in beta cell lines, protects from CD8+ T cell-mediated autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells in virus-induced T1D [166,168]. The gene discussed is SOCS1; the disease is type 1 diabetes mellitus.