IL-10

Function

Major immune regulatory cytokine that acts on many cells of the immune system where it has profound anti-inflammatory functions, limiting excessive tissue disruption caused by inflammation. Mechanistically, IL10 binds to its heterotetrameric receptor comprising IL10RA and IL10RB leading to JAK1 and STAT2-mediated phosphorylation of STAT3 (PubMed:16982608). In turn, STAT3 translocates to the nucleus where it drives expression of anti-inflammatory mediators (PubMed:18025162). Targets antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as macrophages and monocytes and inhibits their release of pro-inflammatory cytokines including granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor /GM-CSF, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor/G-CSF, IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha (PubMed:1940799, PubMed:7512027, PubMed:11564774). Interferes also with antigen presentation by reducing the expression of MHC-class II and co-stimulatory molecules, thereby inhibiting their ability to induce T cell activation (PubMed:8144879). In addition, controls the inflammatory response of macrophages by reprogramming essential metabolic pathways including mTOR signaling (By similarity).

Sequence similarities

Belongs to the IL-10 family.

Tissue specificity

Produced by a variety of cell lines, including T-cells, macrophages, mast cells and other cell types.

Cellular localization

• Secreted

Alternative names

• Interleukin-10
• IL-10
• Cytokine synthesis inhibitory factor
• CSIF
• IL10

Database links

• entrezGene:3586
• omim:124092
• swissprot:P22301

Target type

Proteins

Primary research area

Immunology & Infectious Disease

Other research areas

• Immuno-oncology
• Neuroscience

Molecular weight

20517Da