These proteins are generally produced during viral infection, Interferon (IFN) treatment, and during pathogen recognition (Pathogen associated molecular pattern recognition) by immune system during infections.
Blood plasma levels of Interleukin 6 (IL-6), Interleukin 8, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and Interferon-gamma were significantly increased in swine H2N3 compared to human H2N2 infected animals supporting the previously published notion of increased IL-6 levels being a potential marker for severe influenza infections.
IL-10 is capable of inhibiting synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-3, TNFα and GM-CSF made by cells such as macrophages and regulatory T-cells.
The expression of this gene can be induced by a subset of cytokines, including IL2, IL3 erythropoietin (EPO), GM-CSF, and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ).