IL-10 augments the IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha induced TARC production in HaCaT cells: a possible mechanism in the inflammatory reaction of atopic dermatitis

The CC-chemokine TARC is known to be a ligand for the CCR4 receptor which i n turn is known to be expressed selectively on the Th-2-subset of lymphocyt es. Atopic dermatitis is generally believed to be a Th-2-type disease. and TARC has been shown to be expressed in the skill lesions of a murine model of AD. IL-10 is an interleukine generally known for its ability to inhibit cytokine production, however it has been found to be highly expressed in th e skin from AD patients. We show in this report that IL-10 is able to augme nt the TARC inducing effects of TNF alpha and IFN gamma in HaCaT cells, a p roperty that may be important in the determination of the composition of th e cells of the inflammation in the skin of AD patients. In addition, we sho w that the IL10 agonist IT 9302, a nona-peptide from the carboxylic end of IL-IO, has the same effect on TARC production from HaCaT cells. (C) 2001 El sevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.