Differential effects of IL-10 and IL-12 on superantigen-induced expression of the cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen (CLA) and the αEβ7 integrin (CD103) by CD8+ T cells

Interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta are important regulators of inflammatory disease at cutaneous and mucosal sites, where CLA and CD103 may be expressed. Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin C (SpeC) increased the expression of CD103 by CD8+ but not by CD4+ T cells. While IL-12 augmented the supcrantigen-induced expression of CLA it suppressed CD103 expression. This suppression could be reversed with TGF-beta and a mixture of anti-TGF-beta and IL-12 completely abrogated the expression of CD103. IL-10 decreased CLA expression by T cells, but markedly increased their CD103 expression. It is concluded that the expression of CLA and CD103 is antagonistically regulated by IL-10 and IL-12 and that the balance between these cytokines could influence T cell infiltration into epithelial tissues.