Interleukin-10: an anti-inflammatory cytokine with therapeutic potential

Inflammatory allergic disorders, such as bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis, are characterized by the production of numerous cytokines and chemokines by activated cells present in target tissues, including T cells, mast cells, macrophages and eosinophils. Among these cytokines, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, contribute directly and indirectly to the onset and the perpetuation of tissue eosinophilia, a hallmark of these diseases. IL-10 downregulates antigen- dependent activation of most of the cell types involved primarily in allergic reactions and prevents eosinophils homing to inflammatory sites, particularly the lung, in experimental models of asthma. Therefore, the exogenous administration of this cytokine, or the stimulation of its endogenous production, may represent a future objective in the treatment of the inflammatory component of allergic diseases. This review aims to summarize recent findings describing the anti-inflammatory profile of IL-10, particularly in the context of atopic diseases, and discuss its potential therapeutic use as an anti-allergic molecule.