Inhibitory and Stimulatory Effects of IL-10 on Human CD8+ T Cells

• Published in: The Journal of immunology (1950) Vol. 160; no. 7; pp. 3188 - 3193
• Main Authors: Groux, Herve, Bigler, Mike, de Vries, Jan E, Roncarolo, Maria-Grazia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Am Assoc Immnol 01.04.1998
• Subjects: Antigens, CD - biosynthesis; B7-1 Antigen - biosynthesis; B7-2 Antigen; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - drug effects; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Clonal Anergy - drug effects; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic - drug effects; Down-Regulation - immunology; Epitopes - immunology; Growth Inhibitors - pharmacology; Growth Substances - pharmacology; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I - biosynthesis; HLA Antigens - biosynthesis; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents - pharmacology; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 - biosynthesis; Interleukin-10 - pharmacology; Interleukin-2 - pharmacology; Isoantigens - immunology; Lymphocyte Activation - drug effects; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; Membrane Glycoproteins - biosynthesis; Monocytes - immunology; Monocytes - metabolism
• ISSN: 0022-1767; 1550-6606
• DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.160.7.3188

IL-10 is a well-documented immunosuppressant that inhibits macrophage-dependent Ag presentation and CD4+ T cell proliferation in vitro. We report that IL-10 inhibits alloantigen-specific proliferative responses and induces a long lasting anergic state in human purified CD8+ T cells when added concomitantly with the Ag in the presence of APC. Moreover, the generation of allospecific cytotoxic activity is inhibited by IL-10. These effects are indirect and are mediated through inhibition of the costimulatory functions of APC. In contrast, IL-10 has no direct inhibitory effects on the proliferation of purified CD8+ T cells activated by anti-CD3 mAb and promotes the growth of activated CD8+ T cells in combination with low doses of IL-2. Taken together, these results indicate that IL-10 has differential effects on CD8+ T cells depending on their state of activation, which may explain both the enhancing and inhibitory effects observed after IL-10 treatment in different in vivo experimental models.