Systemically administered interleukin-10 reduces tumor necrosis factor-alpha production and significantly improves functional recovery following traumatic spinal cord injury in rats

ABSTRACT In these studies, we examined the neuroprotective effects of the potent antiinflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) following spinal cord injury (SCI). Neuroprotection was assessed by using behavioral and morphological end points. We hypothesized that injury-induced inflammation contributes to the resulting neuropathology and subsequent loss of function. Therefore, by attenuating injury-induced inflammation, we should promote functional recovery. The New York University device was used to induce moderate SCI and study the resulting inflammatory response and functional consequences of inhibiting this response in rats. We determined that SCI induces the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the spinal cord and by SCI-activated monocytes isolated from the peripheral circulation. IL-10 (5.0 μg) administered 30 minutes after-injury significantly reduced the expression of TNF-α protein in the spinal cord and in vitro by SCI-activated monocytes. Next, we investigated whether IL-10 wo...