Novel Insights on Interleukin-10 Functions: A Manipulative Tool for the Deviation of Immune Response and Disease Outcome

It is known that IL-10 plays a critical role in the resolution of inflammation or tissue damage and is the most widely studied anti-inflammatory cytokine, as discussed in different reviews. Since its initial discovery, IL-10 production has been observed in an array of leukocytic cell types and some non-immune cells. Considering recent findings, this review discusses the role of IL-10 in different pathological contexts. In this respect, IL-10 may be considered a manipulative tool that suppresses the much more effective T helper 1 profile which is produced upon the influence of infective agents. The increased IL-10 concentration, which persists for a period of days to a few weeks, is associated with influencing various diseases’ outcomes, and its implications are observed in different tissues and processes, including infections, traumas, regeneration, or hyperthermia during physical activity. These findings reinforce the concept that IL-10 should be used in association with co-stimulatory effectors as necessary to exert the appropriate influence during the management of inflammatory or infective pathologies. Hopefully, further findings can open new avenues to study the biology of this cytokine and its therapeutic potential.