Interleukin-4 and Interleukin-10 (IL-4 and IL-10)

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) are critical regulatory cytokines that modulate immune responses and maintain tissue homeostasis (UniProt P05112, P22301). IL-4, primarily produced by Th2 cells and mast cells, drives B-cell class switching to IgE and Th2 cell differentiation, making it a key player in allergic diseases such as asthma and atopic dermatitis (Wikipedia, NIH). Conversely, IL-10 is a potent anti-inflammatory mediator that inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, thereby preventing excessive tissue damage during infection or inflammation (StatPearls, NIH). Therapeutically, these cytokines are targeted in two main ways: through antagonism to treat Th2-driven allergic conditions or through agonism/supplementation to suppress autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. For instance, dupilumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks the IL-4 receptor alpha subunit, effectively inhibiting both IL-4 and IL-13 signaling for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (PubMed). In contrast, recombinant IL-10 (e.g., pegilodecakin) and novel IL-4/IL-10 fusion proteins are being investigated for their potential to treat rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis by leveraging their synergistic anti-inflammatory effects (NIH, PubMed). Safety concerns associated with these therapies include an increased risk of infections due to immunosuppression and potential paradoxical inflammatory responses (NIH).

Other names

IL4IL10B-cell stimulatory factor 1Cytokine synthesis inhibitory factorCSIFBCGF-1B-cell growth factor 1Lymphocyte stimulatory factor 1

Therapeutic strategies involve either the antagonism of IL-4/IL-10 signaling to treat allergic or Th2-mediated diseases (e.g., monoclonal antibodies) or the administration of recombinant cytokines/fusion proteins to suppress excessive inflammation in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.