"IL-10 as a Th2 cytokine: differences between mice and humans" by Mahima T. Rasquinha, Meghna Sur et al.

Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Department of

 

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2021

Citation

Published in final edited form as: J Immunol. 2021 November 01; 207(9): 2205–2215. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.2100565.

HHS Public Access Author manuscript J Immunol. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2022 November 01.

Comments

The Journal of Immunology is Copyright © 2018 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

Abstract

The discovery of interleukin (IL)-10 more than 30 years ago marked the beginning of our understanding of how cytokines regulate immune responses, based on cross-regulation between T helper (Th)1 and Th2 cytokines. Although multiple cell types were shown to produce IL-10, its identity as a Th2 cytokine remained strong since it was rigidly associated with Th2 clones in mice, whereas both Th1 and Th2 clones could secrete IL-10 in humans. However, as new Th1/Th2 cell functionalities emerged, anti-inflammatory action of IL-10 gained more attention than its inhibitory effect on Th1 cells, which may occur as an indirect consequence of suppression of antigen-presenting cells. This notion is also supported by the discovery of Treg cells whose suppressor functions involve the mediation of IL-10, among other molecules. From this perspective, we discuss the functionalities of IL-10 by highlighting important differences between mice and humans with an emphasis on Th1 and Th2 paradigm.

Share

COinS