IL-10 Protein

Quality Statement:
Interleukin 10(IL10), also known as cytokine synthesis inhibitory factor (CSIF), is a secreted protein and belongs to the IL-10 family. IL-10 is secreted by many activated hematopoietic cell types as well as hepatic stellate cells, keratinocytes, and placental cytotrophoblasts. IL-10 is an anti-inflammatory TH2 cytokine that has a critical role in limiting the immune response to pathogens to prevent host damage. As IL-10 in produced in several T helper populations, it is proposed that it provides a feedback loop to limit the effector functions of macrophages and DCs on T cells. Once expressed, IL-10 signals through the IL-10 receptor (IL-10R) to activate STAT3. As IL-10 is a strong inhibitor of inflammation, it has become a viable biomarker for various diseases and conditions as well as a therapeutic molecule for certain conditions. In addition to elevated levels in parasitic infection, high expression levels of IL-10 are also found in retroviral infections inducing immunodeficiency. The immunosuppressive properties of IL-10 suggest a possible clinical use of IL-10 in suppressing rejections of grafts after organ transplantations.

Reference:
1. Kim JM, Brannan CI, Copeland NG, et al. 1992. J Immunol. 148:3618-23.2. Tan JC, Braun S, Rong H, et al. 1995. J Biol Chem. 270:12906-11.3. Pestka S, Krause CD, Sarkar D, et al. 2004. Annu Rev Immunol. 22:929-79.