Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a cytokine with potent anti-inflammatory properties. It plays a crucial role in regulating the immune response, ensuring that the body does not overreact to pathogens or cause excessive tissue damage. IL-10 is produced by various cell types, including T cells, B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. The recombinant form of IL-10, specifically from rats, has been extensively studied for its biological activities and therapeutic potential.
IL-10 was first discovered in 1989 as a cytokine synthesis inhibitory factor produced by T helper 2 (Th2) cell clones . The rat homologue of IL-10 shares approximately 73% identity with human IL-10 at the amino acid sequence level . The active form of IL-10 is a non-covalent homodimer, which means it consists of two identical subunits. In rats, IL-10 has an additional unpaired cysteine residue (cys-149) compared to human IL-10 .
Recombinant rat IL-10 is typically produced using bacterial expression systems. The process involves solubilizing and refolding the protein in a glutathione redox system. This method ensures that the protein adopts its active conformation. However, the presence of the unpaired cysteine residue can lead to the formation of disulfide dimers or mixed disulfides with glutathione, reducing the protein’s activity . To overcome this, site-directed mutagenesis is used to replace the cysteine residue with tyrosine, resulting in a more stable and active form of the protein .
IL-10 is a key anti-inflammatory mediator that helps protect the host from excessive immune responses. It inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by myeloid cells and promotes the survival and proliferation of B cells. Additionally, IL-10 has non-classical roles, such as regulating neural and adipose cell processes, promoting CD8 T cell activation, and aiding in epithelial repair .
The therapeutic potential of IL-10 has been explored in various disease contexts, including autoimmune diseases, cancer, and wound healing. Its ability to modulate the immune response makes it a promising candidate for treating conditions characterized by excessive inflammation . However, the clinical application of IL-10 requires further research to fully understand its mechanisms and optimize its use in different settings.