The IL-10-producing competence of Th2 cells generated in vitro is IL-4 dependent.

Previous studies have suggested that activation of CD4+ T cells in the presence of IL-10 results in the generation of a population of T cells, T regulatory 1 (Tr1) cells, that primarily produce IL-10 and TGF-beta, but not IL-4. The relationship between Tr1 cells and conventional Th2 cells remains unclear. We were not successful in our attempts to generate significant numbers of antigen-specific T cells that secreted IL-10, but not IL-4, by culture in the presence of IL-10. The small numbers of cells that produced IL-10 only were completely dependent on the presence of IL-4 for their generation. In a polyclonal model, the development of IL-10 only producers was completely dependent on the presence of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6. Studies with myelin basic protein-specific T cells derived from an IL-4-deficient mouse confirmed the absolute requirement for IL-4 for the generation of IL-10 producers under all culture conditions. These IL-10-producing Th2 cells failed to inhibit EAE in an adoptive transfer model and were pathogenic when transferred to immunodeficient mice. Collectively, our results raise doubts about the existence of a unique population of CD4+ regulatory T cells that can be generated by activation in the presence of IL-10.