IL-10 suppresses experimental autoimmune neuritis and down-regulates T(H)1-type immune responses

Xue Feng Bai, Jie Zhu, Guang Xian Zhang, Georgios Kaponides, Bo Höjeberg, Peter H. Van Der Meide, Hans Link

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) is a CD4+ T cell-mediated monophasic inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Cellular mechanisms, including macrophage and T cell infiltration, and cytokines like IFN-γ and TNF-α are intimately involved in the pathogenesis of EAN. Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is a T(H)2-type cytokine that suppresses monocyte and T(H)1 cell functions. We examined the effect of recombinant human IL-10 (rHuIL-10) in EAN. When administered from the start of immunization with bovine peripheral myelin emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant, IL-10 effectively suppressed and shortened clinical EAN. Even when given after Day 12 post immunization (pi) after clinical EAN had been established, IL-10 also effectively suppressed the severity of EAN. Pheripheral nerve myelin antigen-reactive IFN-γ-secreting T(H)1-like cells were decreased in lymph nodes from IL-10-treated compared to control EAN rats. PNS autoantigen-induced T cell proliferation and B cell responses were not affected. P2 protein-reactive IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 mRNA-expressing lymph node cells were also downregulated in IL-10-treated compared to control EAN rats at Day 14 and 26 pi, while P2-reactive IL-4 mRNA-expressing cells were upregulated throughout treatment. Also, in IL-10-treated EAN rats, upregulated anti-P2 IgG1 and downregulated IgG2a were observed. Our results clearly show that rHuIL-10 can suppress clinical EAN, and this suppression is associated with downregulation of T(H)1 responses and macrophage function and upregulated T(H)2 responses.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)117-126
Number of pages10
JournalClinical Immunology and Immunopathology
Volume83
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 1997

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