Description
Human Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is a species cross-reactive cytokine produced by CD4+ as well as by some CD8+ T cells. In addition, human B cells, EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines and monocytes can produce IL-10 upon activation. IL-10 is a pleiotropic cytokine that can exert either immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive effects. As an immunostimulatory cytokine, IL-10 can act on B cells to enhance their viability, cell proliferation, Ig secretion and class II MHC expression. IL-10 is also a growth co-stimulator for thymocytes and mast cells, as well as an enhancer of cytotoxic T cell development. As an immunosuppressant, IL-10 can inhibit the accessory function and antigen-presenting capacity of monocytes by downregulating class II MHC expression. It inhibits IFN-g synthesis and Th1 differentiation in the mouse system. It can suppress the production of numerous cytokines including TNF-a, IL-1 and IL-6, as well as the synthesis of superoxide anion, reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI), and reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI) by activated monocytes/macrophages. Recombinant human IL-10 containing 160 amino acid residues has a predicted molecular mass of approximately 18.6 kDa