Lung Protection vs. Infection Resolution: Interleukin 10 Suspected of Double-Dealing in COVID-19

Abstract

The pathological processes by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection that make the virus a major threat to global health are insufficiently understood. Inefficient viral clearance at any stage is a hallmark of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Disease severity is associated with increases in peripheral blood cytokines among which interleukin 10 (IL-10) increases particularly early and independent of patient age, which is not seen in active SARS-CoV infection. Here, we consider the known multi-faceted immune regulatory role of IL-10, both in protecting the lung from injury and in defense against infections, as well as its potential cellular source. While the absence of an IL-10 response in SARS is thought to contribute to early deterioration, we suspect IL-10 to protect the lung from early immune-mediated damage and to interfere with viral clearance in COVID-19. This may further both viral spread and poor outcome in many high-risk patients. Identifying the features of the viral genotype, which specifically underlie the different IL-10 dynamics as an etiological endotype and the different viral load kinetics and outcomes as clinical phenotype, may unveil a new immune evasive strategy of SARS-CoV-2.

Intersections between pneumonia, lowered oxygen saturation percentage and immune activation mediate depression, anxiety, and chronic fatigue syndrome-like symptoms due to COVID-19: A nomothetic network approach

“…It should be underscored that IL-6 and various positive acute phase proteins have negative immune-regulatory effects ( Maes and Carvalho, 2018 ). SARS-CoV-2 also causes the release of T-helper (Th)-1 pro-inflammatory and Th-2 anti-inflammatory and T-regulatory cytokines, such as IL-10, which has protective properties against lung injury ( Huang et al, 2020 ; Lindner et al, 2021 ). COVID-19 and increased CCTAs are accompanied by increased serum IL-6, CRP, and IL-10, and lowered albumin and oxygen saturation percentage (SpO 2 ) ( Al-Hakeim et al, 2021 ).…”

CIDO ontology updates and secondary analysis of host responses to COVID-19 infection based on ImmPort reports and literature

“…This prompted the next step of the recursive XOD to incorporate this new knowledge by looking to incorporate new terms and axioms related to IL-10. A recent March paper has proposed a hypothesis that IL-10 up-regulation is responsible for COVID-19 uniqueness in comparison to other coronaviruses [ 39 ]. SARS differs from COVID-19 in that IL-10 is only increased in convalescent SARS-CoV patients and but not with other SARS disease phenotypes [ 40 , 41 ].…”

Mesenchymal stem cells and their derived exosomes to combat Covid–19

“… 50 MSCs repair and regenerate damaged lung tissue by increasing the expression of IL‐10 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) which benefits for ARDS patients as an inflammatory disease. 55 MSCs also have therapeutic effects on other organs. They reduce encephalitis and recover the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) in the brain.…”