Document Type
Article
Journal Title
Physiological Reports
Publication Date
2026
Volume
14
Abstract
Therapies capable of reducing acute high-consequence airborne chemical exposure-induced lung disease are lacking. This study seeks to determine the therapeutic potential of interleukin (IL)-10 administered following acute sulfur dioxide (SO2) exposure in mice. C57BL/6 male and female mice were exposed to SO2 gas at 125 ppm for 4 h and subsequently treated 2-3 h later with IL-10 (1 μg) or vehicle control by intratracheal instillation for a total of 3 doses over 2 days with comparisons to sham-treated mice (N = 20 mice/group). IL-10 treatment reduced SO2-induced weight loss with corresponding reductions in SO2-induced circulating markers of inflammation (pentraxin-2 and fibrinogen). IL-10 reduced SO2-induced markers of lung cell permeability (surfactant protein-D and protein), and cell death (lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]). SO2-induced lung infiltrates of neutrophils and activated macrophages were reduced with IL-10 treatment. IL-10 reduced SO2-induced increases in total protein, Substance P, apoptotic cells, post-translational citrullinated and malondialdehyde-acetaldehyde-modified proteins, and vimentin. Compared to female mice, SO2 exposure led to greater increases in serum pentraxin-2, fibrinogen, LDH levels, and lavage fluid cells in males. In conclusion, short-term, intratracheal IL-10 therapy administered after acute SO2 exposure favorably modulates acute lung injury consequences to suggest a therapeutic potential to decrease adverse systemic and lung effects.
MeSH Headings
Animals, Female, Sulfur Dioxide, Male, Interleukin-10, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Acute Lung Injury, Mice, Lung
DOI Link
ISSN
2051-817X
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Nelson, Amy J.; Wyatt, Todd A.; Richmond, Bradley W.; Diaz, Belinda; Gleason, Angela; Duryee, Michael J.; Thiele, Geoffrey M.; Mikuls, Ted R.; and Poole, Jill A., "Intratracheal Interleukin-10 Administration Reduces Acute Lung Injury Induced by Sulfur Dioxide Exposure in Mice" (2026). Journal Articles: Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health. 28.
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/coph_env_articles/28