INTERLEUKIN-10 INHIBITS ENDOTOXIN-INDUCED TISSUE FACTOR MESSENGER-RNAPRODUCTION BY HUMAN MONOCYTES

In Gram-negative septic shock, human monocytes synthesize and express on their cytoplasmic membrane tissue factor (TF), a potent activator o f the coagulation cascades. The role of TF in triggering disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in these patients appears to be clear. We report the suppressive effect of interleukin-10 (IL-10) on endotox in-induced TF activity and antigen levels, and on the expression of TF mRNA levels in human monocytes. These results emphasize the potential therapeutic value of this cytokine in,septic shock, a condition still associated with a high mortality rate.