Interleukin-10 (IL-10 or IL10), also known as human cytokine synthesis inhibitory factor (CSIF), is an anti-inflammatory cytokine, capable of inhibiting synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IFN-gamma , IL-2, IL-3 , TNFα and GM-CSF by cells such as macrophages and Th1 cells . However, it is also stimulatory towards certain T cells, mast cells and B cells.
It is mainly expressed in monocytes and Th2 cells, and also in certain subset of activated T cells and B cells.
Gene and Protein Structure
The IL-10 is located in chromosome 1. The gene is consisted of 4 exons.
The IL-10 protein is a homodimer . Each subunit is 160 amino-acid long