IL-10 inhibits expression of inflammatory factors in Chlamydia-infected cells by up-regulating socs3.

Objective: To investigate the role and mechanisms of SOCS3 protein in IL-10 inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors in Chlamydia-infected cells. Methods: The activation of STAT3 protein were examined in Chlamydia-infected cells by Western blot, and the activation of p38 and ERK1/2 were also examined in infected cells treated with socs3 siRNA. The expression of socs3 gene was examined in Chlamydia-infected cells treated with IL-10 or Stattic by RT-PCR. IL-6 and IL-12 were measured in infect-ed cells treated with socs3 siRNA using ELISA kits. Results: Socs3 expression was up-regulated by IL-10 through activation of STAT3 protein. IL-6 and IL-12 induced by Chlamydia were down-regulated by IL-10 through induction of socs3. The activation of p38 and ERK1/2 signalling pathways were inhibited by SOCS3. Conclusion: IL-10 inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines through induction of SOCS3 and inhibition p38 and ERK1/2 signalling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]