Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is an immuno-modulatory cytokine that correlates with TB disease susceptibility, demonstrated through studies of IL-10 knockout and transgenic mice, and a variety of different mouse strains. Extending on these findings, the Turner lab is investigating IL-10 mediated host directed therapies to improve vaccines and drug therapies for TB. The lab has used IL-10 blockade in a combinatorial therapy with BCG to improve vaccine efficacy. The lab has also blocked the action of IL-10 during pyrazinamide monotherapy in mice, leading to a substantial accelerated clearance of M.tb. These studies demonstrated that IL-10 is an important and effective target for improving prevention of or treatment for M.tb infection.
