Interleukin-10-Producing Regulatory T Cells (IL-10-producing Tregs)

Interleukin-10 (IL-10)-producing regulatory T cells are a specialized subset of CD4+ T cells with potent immunosuppressive properties. These cells play a critical role in maintaining immune tolerance and preventing excessive inflammatory responses by secreting IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Induction of these cells can occur in vitro and in vivo under specific conditions involving cytokines, antigen-presenting cell interactions, and pharmacological agents. Key subtypes include Tr1 cells (IL-10+ Foxp3-) and some Foxp3+ Tregs that also produce IL-10. Induction is influenced by factors like vitamin D3, dexamethasone, TGFβ, ERK1/ERK2 activation, STAT pathways, and transcription factors like c-Maf. These cells suppress immune responses through IL-10 secretion and sometimes cell-cell contact. They are crucial for controlling autoimmunity, allergy, chronic inflammation, transplant tolerance, and limiting tissue damage during infection.

Other names

IL-10+ TregsTr1 cellsType 1 regulatory T cellsIL10-producing regulatory T lymphocytes

Secretion of IL-10 to suppress effector immune responses; cell-cell contact-dependent suppression via PD-1 or CTLA-4