[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Immunology](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/) › [Cytokines and molecules](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/#a-molecules) › IL-10 and TGF-β (the brakes) [Immunology](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/) · [Cytokines and molecules](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/#a-molecules) # IL-10 and TGF-β (the brakes) - Molecule IL-10 and TGF-β calm the immune response down after an infection and keep it from attacking the gut and the body's own tissues. Updated 2026-11-01 ## Key points - IL-10: lowers IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and antigen presentation by macrophages and dendritic cells; signals via JAK1/TYK2 and STAT3. - TGF-β alone → FOXP3 → regulatory T cells; TGF-β + IL-6 → RORγt → Th17. - Loss of IL-10 or its receptor causes severe, early-onset colitis. - Some pathogens (mycobacteria, Leishmania, HIV) exploit IL-10 to persist. - TGF-β is pro-fibrotic: airway remodelling, organ scarring. ## What it is IL-10 and TGF-β are the main anti-inflammatory cytokines. Regulatory T cells (CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+) secrete both, and macrophages and monocytes also make IL-10. IL-10 switches off activated macrophages and dendritic cells, while TGF-β induces FOXP3 and new regulatory T cells, but with IL-6 it steers T cells to Th17 instead; TGF-β also drives fibrosis. ## Function - End the inflammatory response once the microbe is cleared. - Maintain tolerance in the gut to food and commensal bacteria. - Tregs also use CTLA-4 and consume IL-2 to suppress effector cells. ## Clinical notes - IL-10 or IL-10 receptor deficiency: intestinal inflammation that starts in infancy; Treg lacking the IL-10 receptor fail to prevent colitis in models. - Lepromatous leprosy: a weak Th1, IL-10-associated response leaves macrophages full of bacilli. - FOXP3 loss (IPEX syndrome): absent regulatory T cells with severe autoimmunity in boys. - Excess TGF-β contributes to fibrosis and to subepithelial fibrosis in chronic asthma. ## Memory aid Ten and TGF are the two T's of tranquillity: they turn the volume down when the fight is over. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which cytokine combination produces Th17 cells instead of Tregs? TGF-β with IL-6 (helped by IL-21 and IL-23); TGF-β alone favours FOXP3+ regulatory T cells. ## What happens when IL-10 signalling is missing? The gut loses tolerance and severe colitis appears early in life. ## Which cells are the main source of IL-10 and TGF-β in immune regulation? Regulatory T cells (CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+); macrophages and monocytes also make IL-10. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/immunology/il-10-and-tgf/) ## Related - [Cytokines: the table to know](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/cytokines-the-table-to-know/) - [Interleukin-2](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/interleukin-2/) - [Interleukin-6](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/interleukin-6/) - [Interleukin-17](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/interleukin-17/) - [IL-12 and IL-23](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/il-12-and-il-23/) - [Regulatory T cell (Treg, FOXP3)](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/regulatory-t-cell/) - [Immune tolerance and how autoimmunity begins](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/immune-tolerance-and-how-autoimmunity-begins/) - [Th1, Th2, Th17, Tfh and Treg](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/th1-th2-th17-tfh-and-treg/) ## Related conditions - [Crohn disease](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/crohn-disease/) - [Ulcerative colitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ulcerative-colitis/) ## Microorganisms - [Mycobacterium leprae](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/mycobacterium-leprae/) - [Mycobacterium tuberculosis](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/mycobacterium-tuberculosis/) [← All of immunology](https://durgical.com/en/immunology/) Educational content on the immune system; not a treatment or individual vaccination guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given. Sources: [Regulation of Treg cells by cytokine signaling and co-stimulatory molecules](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1387975/full) (Frontiers in Immunology, 2024); [Th17/Treg imbalance in inflammatory bowel disease: immunological mechanisms and microbiota-driven regulation](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1651063/full) (Frontiers in Immunology, 2025); [Pro-Inflammatory and Anti-Inflammatory Interleukins in Infectious Diseases: A Comprehensive Review](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10818686/) (Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease (PubMed Central), 2024); [21.3 The Adaptive Immune Response: T lymphocytes and Their Functional Types - Anatomy and Physiology 2e | OpenStax](https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/21-3-the-adaptive-immune-response-t-lymphocytes-and-their-functional-types) (OpenStax, 2022). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/immunology/il-10-and-tgf/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/immunology/il-10-and-tgf/