Regulation of breathing pattern by IL-10

Area of Science:

• Respiratory Physiology
• Immunology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), are known to impact respiratory control.
• The role of anti-inflammatory cytokines, specifically interleukin-10 (IL-10), in regulating breathing patterns remains less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 on the control of breathing.
• To compare respiratory function between IL-10 knockout mice and wild-type mice under various gas challenges.

Main Methods:

• Utilized IL-10 knockout (IL-10^-/-) and wild-type (IL-10^+/+) mice (n=10 per group) for respiratory function assessment via whole-body plethysmography.
• Exposed mice to hyperoxic hypercapnia, normoxic hypercapnia, hypoxic hypercapnia, and hypoxic normocapnia gas mixtures.
• Administered recombinant mouse IL-10 (rIL-10) intraperitoneally to wild-type mice and to neonatal rat medullary slices in vitro.

Main Results:

• IL-10^-/- mice displayed significantly increased respiratory frequency and reduced tidal volume compared to wild-type mice across all gas conditions.
• Minute ventilation was lower in IL-10^-/- mice, and their rapid shallow breathing index was significantly higher than in wild-type mice.
• Intraperitoneal rIL-10 administration in wild-type mice led to decreased respiratory rate and increased tidal volume; in vitro medullary slice experiments showed no effect on rhythmicity.

Conclusions:

• IL-10 appears to play a role in modulating breathing patterns, potentially promoting a slower and deeper breathing profile.
• The findings suggest that IL-10 influences respiratory control mechanisms, contrasting with the effects of proinflammatory cytokines.