Description
IL-10 is produced by mouse Th2-cells following their stimulation by lectins. The main source for B-cell derived IL10 in mice are Ly1 B-cells that express CD5 (Ly1) and CD11.In humans IL10 is produced by activated CD8 (+) peripheral blood T-cells, by T-helper CD4 (+) T-cell clones after both antigen-specific and polyclonal activation, by B- cell lymphomas, and by monocytes following cell activation by bacterial lipopolysaccharides and mast cells.IL10 is a homodimeric protein with subunits having a length of 160 amino acids. Human Interleukin10 shows 73 % amino acid homology with mouse Interleukin-10. The murine IL-10 receptor has been cloned. This receptor is a protein of approximately 110 kDa that binds murine IL10 specifically. This receptor is structurally related to receptors for IFN. The CD nomenclature for this receptor is CDw210. IL10 inhibits the synthesis of a number of cytokines such as IFN-gamma, IL2 and TNF-beta in Th1 T-helper subpopulations of T-cells but not of Th2 T-helper cells. This activity is antagonized by IL4. The inhibitory effect on IFN- gamma production is indirect and appears to be the result of a suppression of IL12 synthesis by accessory cells. In the human system, IL10 is produced by, and down-regulates the function of, Th1 and Th2 cells