IL 10 (Interleukin 10)

Overview

Interleukin-10 is the primary anti-inflammatory cytokine, produced by Treg cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and B cells. It suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokine production (IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-1β), inhibits antigen presentation, and maintains immune tolerance. IL-10 deficiency or dysfunction is the immunological substrate of chronic inflammatory disease — IL-10 knockout mice develop spontaneous colitis, making it the foundational model for IBD research.

Microbiome Connection

  • SCFA-driven IL-10: butyrate from gut commensals promotes Treg differentiation → IL-10 production. Dysbiosis-driven butyrate loss reduces IL-10, shifting the th17 treg balance toward inflammation.
  • COVID-19: IL-10 elevation relative to IL-6 (e.g., via Dialister enrichment) may support recovery; restoring IL-10:IL-6 ratio is a therapeutic target Chen2023 gut microbiota inflammatory mendelian covid.
  • ASD: IL-10 paradoxically elevated (9.64 vs. 6.04 pg/ml) alongside pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting compensatory anti-inflammatory response [1].
  • Endometriosis: IL-10 elevated in peritoneal fluid (compensatory to TNF-alpha/IL-6 excess) [2].
  • Schizophrenia: Reduced IL-10 contributes to Th17/Treg imbalance [3].

Cross-References

References (5)

  1. Xia Cao, Kevin Liu, Jun Liu et al. (2021). Cao 2021 — Dysbiotic Gut Microbiota and Dysregulation of Cytokine Profile in Children and Teens With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Frontiers in Neuroscience. doi:10.3389/fnins.2021.635925
  2. Wang XM, Ma ZY, Song N (2018). Inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, TNF-alpha and peritoneal fluid flora were associated with infertility in patients with endometriosis. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences. doi:10.26355/eurrev_201804_14826
  3. Ermakov EA, Melamud MM, Buneva VN et al. (2022). Immune System Abnormalities in Schizophrenia: An Integrative View and Translational Perspectives. Frontiers in Psychiatry. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.880568
  4. Yuling Chen, Chang Chen (2023). Chen, Chen 2023 — Gut microbiota, inflammatory proteins and COVID-19: a Mendelian randomisation study. Frontiers in Immunology. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2024.1406291
  5. Xinyun Bi, Fanghong Li, Shanshan Liu et al. (2017). Bi 2017 — Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Ameliorate Type 1 Diabetes and Autoimmunity. Journal of Clinical Investigation. doi:10.1172/JCI87388

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