Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a pleotropic cytokine with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive functions. It is the key cytokine that regulates the host inflammatory responses to bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens. The production of IL-10 is mediated by signalling of IL-6, IL-12 and TGF-β. IL-10 is secreted by a variety of cells including T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, eosinophils, natural killer cells and mast cells. The effects of IL-10 are mediated by binding to the IL-10R, consisting of α and β subunits. The signalling through IL-10R activates Jak1, Tyk2 protein kinases and JAK/STAT3 pathways. IL-10 is involved in suppression of innate immunity to kill pathogens and inhibits the release of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species from activated macrophages. Regulation of IL-10 production is important in infections, inflammatory responses in autoimmune encephalomyelitis, endotoxic shock and chronic enterocolitis
Anti-interleukin-10 antibody is specific for mouse IL-10. The antibody shows less than 5% cross reactivity to recombinant human IL-10.