Neuroprotective effects of interleukin 10 in spinal cord injury

Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 2023 · DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1214294 · Published: July 10, 2023

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries often lead to permanent disabilities due to limited nerve regeneration. This review focuses on the potential of interleukin-10 (IL-10), an anti-inflammatory molecule, to protect nerve tissue after such injuries. IL-10 demonstrates several beneficial mechanisms including reducing oxidative stress, limiting inflammation, preventing cell death, and relieving pain. It can also boost the effectiveness of treatments like cell transplants. The review explores how IL-10 works to protect the spinal cord, offering new ideas for future clinical treatments to improve outcomes for patients with spinal cord injuries.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
IL-10 exhibits anti-oxidative stress effects by enhancing mitochondrial homeostasis, decreasing lipid peroxidation, and inhibiting the production of peroxides and inflammatory cytokines after SCI.
2
IL-10 modulates inflammatory activities by reducing neutrophil proliferation, promoting M2 microglia/macrophage polarization, inducing regulatory T cells, and reducing the release of TNF-α and IL-1β.
3
IL-10 has anti-apoptotic effects through Jak-Stat3 and PI3K-AKT signaling, which prevents cytochrome c release and caspase 3 activation, and indirectly by limiting release of harmful proinflammatory factors.

Research Summary

This review describes the changes in IL-10 and its receptors after spinal cord injury. It further elucidates the multiple neuroprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of IL-10 in the treatment of SCI. With the application of cell and bioengineered materials, more hope has been brought to SCI patients. Since SCI is a multimolecular and multicellular interaction event which has different phases, a single approach is not a satisfactory endeavor and a meaningful combination of therapeutics is the way to go. IL-10, characterized by anti-inflammation, neuroprotection and antinociception, exhibits exceptional compatibility, which can be flexibly combined with other technologies to better achieve individualized treatment at different stages of SCI

Practical Implications

Targeted Drug Delivery

Localized delivery of IL-10 using biomaterials can provide sustained release, optimizing its pleiotropic effects in the intermediate-chronic phases of SCI.

Combination Therapies

Combining IL-10 with cell transplantation creates a favorable and immunosuppressive microenvironment, while combining it with epidural stimulation can reduce inflammation and provide analgesic effects.

Optimal Timing of Administration

Early administration of IL-10 post-injury can effectively suppress inflammatory storms, similar to the use of tocilizumab in preventing cytokine release syndrome.

Study Limitations

1
The effective therapeutic dose for IL-10 seems to be very narrow.
2
IL-10 cannot cross the blood–brain barrier and has a short half-life.
3
Clinical efficacy is vague and unreproducible changed by small sample sizes, low immune suppression, and low sensitivity study designs.

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