Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an important cytokine that suppresses the production of cytokines and chemokines by immune cells. IL-10 has been suggested to be involved in chronic inflammatory responses including the remodeling process in the lung. We investigated the effects of IL-10 on proliferation, extracellular matrix and cytokine production in normal human lung fibroblasts (NHLF). Human IL-10 (hIL-10) complementary DNA (cDNA) was transfected into NHLF using an adenoviral vector. No significant changes were observed in proliferation, fibronectin or procollagen type I production in the NHLF transfected with hIL-10 cDNA. Interferon (IFN)-γ significantly inhibited cell proliferation and extracellular matrix production in a dose-dependent manner. Transfection of hIL-10 cDNA significantly relieved the suppressive effects of IFN-γ in NHLF. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β production was not significantly affected by either transfection of hIL-10 cDNA or the addition of IFN-γ. The relief of the suppressive function of IFN-γ by IL-10 suggested that IL-10 is indirectly involved in the remodeling process in the lung interstitium.

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