Altered cutaneous immune parameters in transgenic mice overexpressing viral IL-10 in the epidermis.

IL-10 is a pleiotropic cytokine that inhibits several immune parameters, including Th1 cell-mediated immune responses, antigen presentation, and antigen-specific T cell proliferation. Recent data implicate IL-10 as a mediator of suppression of cell-mediated immunity induced by exposure to UVB radiation (280-320 nm). To investigate the effects of IL-10 on the cutaneous immune system, we engineered transgenic mice that overexpress viral IL-10 (vIL-10) in the epidermis.