TheIL-10 family is a family ofinterleukins.
In addition toIL-10, it includesIL-19,IL-20,IL-22,IL-24 andIL-26.[1]
Some sources also include theinterferonsIL-28 andIL-29.[2]
The IL-10 family are helical cytokines categorized based on their specific similarities and can be classified as class 2 cytokines.[3]
The IL-10 family is one of the important types of cytokines, that can stop the inflammation. In general. these cytokines have a helical structure of homodimers.[4] The difference that the members of IL-10 family have between each other is that they have various receptor-binding residues, which help with interaction with specific cytokine receptors.[5] The features of the IL-10 family consists of their genomic structure being similar, their primary and secondary protein structures being similar, their a clustering of encoding genes, and their utilization the similar receptor complexes.[3]
Interleukin 10 is produced by regulatory T lymphocytes, B cells, and monocytes. It is a homodimer that functions through the IL-10R1 and IL-10R2 receptor complexes, activating such kinases asJanus kinase andtyrosine kinase 2.[6] IL-10R2 receptor is presented in most cells, when IL-10R1 receptor is IL-10 is also an inhibitor of expressions ofCD80 andCD86 by dendritic cells (DC) and antigen-presenting cells (APC),[6] and of T cells, decreasing their cytokine production, therefore, controlling their activation. IL-10 plays a big role in regulating allergies by inhibiting cytokines responsible for allergic inflammation.
Interleukin 19 is produced mainly in monocytes, and can be found in big concentrations in patients with allergic disorders and psoriasis. IL-19 plays a big role in the CNS by regulating the inflammation process through a delayed production of it.[7]
IL-20 - induces cheratin proliferation and Stat-3 signal transduction pathway;[7] is expressed in the CNS, myeloid cells, and keratinocytes. When IL-20 is inhibited in the CNS can stop such inflammations as acute ischemic brain injury.[7][6]
IL-22 mediates inflammation and binds class II cytokine receptor heterodimers IL-22 RA1/CRF2-4;[8] is involved in immuno-regulatory responses
IL-24 produced by activated monocytes and T-cells.[9]
IL-26 is a newly discovered cytokine produced by memory T cells and monocytes. IL-26 assist with the process of human T cell transformation after their infections.[9]
Based on the functions of the cytokine, the IL-10 family can be separated into three subfamily groups. IL-10 subfamily cytokine selects the innate and adaptive immune response and can prevent the function to reduce tissue damage.[10] The IL-20 subfamily of cytokine works on tissues in the stroma and epithelial cells to bring out the mechanism of innate defense that manages the attack of extracellular pathogens.[10] The IL-28 subfamily of cytokine are type III interferon (IFN) family.[10] This subfamily share intersecting biology and signaling pathways with type I IFN family cytokines but the difference is that the type III INF family cytokines prefer to target the tissues of the epithelial cell.[10]