ABSTRACT
The mechanisms involved in initiating and maintaining the inflammatory response associated with autoimmune diseases is yet to be defined. Nevertheless, cytokines with pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory activity play a crucial role in the development of auto-aggressive responses, as demonstrated in animal models and human clinical trials. Studies on interleukin (IL)-IO-a cytokine that is able to regulate inflammatory and immune re sponses-can provide insights into the manner in which homeostatic networks modulate dis ease pathogenesis involving immune dysfonction. Numerous polymorphisms have been de tected in the IL-10 promoter, and some of these have been associated with levels of IL-10 production. Here, we review a number of studies that have sought to explore the relationships between IL-10 promoter polymorphisms and the initiation/progression of some autoimmune diseases. As expected, with regard to the pleiotropic role of IL-10 and to the complexity of genetic interactions in autoimmune diseases, the findings are not yet conclusive, but might have indicative value when associated with other markers.
