Summary
Atherosclerosis is primarily a disorder of lipid metabolism, but there is also a prominent
chronic inflammatory component that drives the atherosclerotic lesion progression
in the artery wall. During hyperlipidaemic conditions, there is a rapid influx of
circulating monocytes into the atherosclerosis-prone areas of the arterial intima.
These infiltrated monocytes differentiate into macrophages and take up the atherogenic
lipoproteins in the intima of the vessel wall that have been modified within the lesion
environment. Interleukin (IL)-10 is a prototypic anti-inflammatory cytokine made primarily
by the macrophages and Th2 subtype T lymphocytes. In terms of atherosclerosis its
major roles include inhibition of macrophage activation as well as inhibition of matrix
metalloproteinase, pro-inflammatory cytokines and cyclooxygenase- 2 expression in
lipid-loaded and activated macrophage foam cells. Recent discoveries suggest another
important role of IL-10 in atherosclerosis: its ability to alter lipid metabolism
in macrophages. The current review will highlight the present knowledge on multiple
ways in which IL-10 mediates atherosclerosis. As macrophages play a critical role
in all stages of atherosclerosis, the review will concentrate on how IL-10 regulates
the activities of macrophages that are especially important in the development of
atherosclerosis.