IL-10: the master immunomodulatory cytokine in allergen immunotherapy

IntroductionAllergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only disease-modifying treatment for patients with IgE-mediated allergic diseases. Successful AIT can induce long-term immune tolerance to the common allergen, which provides clinical benefits for years after discontinuation. The cytokine interleukin (IL)-10, as a key anti-inflammatory mediator with strong immunoregulatory functions, has drawn increasing attention over the past decades.Areas coveredAfter an extensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases, covering articles published from 1989 to 2024, our review aims to emphasize the key common information from previous reviews on the crucial involvement of IL-10 in allergen immunotherapy (AIT) induced immunological tolerance. In this review, we discuss the regulation of IL-10 expression and the molecular pathways associated with IL-10 function. We also further summarize mechanisms of immune tolerance induced by AIT, especially the indispensable role of IL-10 in AIT.Expert opinionIL-10 plays an indispensable role in immune tolerance induced by AIT. Understanding the importance of the role of IL-10 in AIT would help us comprehend the mechanisms thoroughly and develop targeted therapeutics for allergic diseases.