The combined effect of interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-12 polymorphisms on induced cytokine production

Interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-10 are immunoregulatory cytokines with an antagonistic effect of the T-helper (Th)1/Th2 cytokine balance and provide a functional link between innate and adaptive immune responses. The aim of the study was to investigate the combined effect of -1082A*G in IL10 and +16974A*C in IL12B single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on induced cytokine production by stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from healthy donors. The presence of the high-producer IL-12p40 genotype led to diminished production of IL-10 as determined by the -1082*G allele of SNP in IL10. Significantly decreased IL-10 production was detected in AA+AG/GG in comparison with the low-producer IL-12p40 (AC/CC+AG/GG) genotype combination after stimulation with C3bgp (2 +/- 4 vs. 29 +/- 14.2 pg/ml; p = 0.0003) and LPS (33.4 +/- 13.5 vs. 93.3 +/- 59.6 pg/ml; p = 0.019). IL-12p40 production was independent of IL10 genotype. The present results demonstrated that the production of IL-10 from PBMC depended on both -1082A*G in IL10 and +16974A*C in IL12B polymorphisms.