Spirometry in young children

fibroblasts [3]. Its action is basically opposed to that of TNF-a, which is a rather inflammatory cytokine [2]. It is considered, as well as IL-4, a major IL in the T-helper cell type 2 immune response [4]. Interestingly, IL-10 levels have been found to be high in rat tissues with pulmonary fibrosis, while in rats with IL-10 deficiency, the inflammatory response has been found to be more intense than in the wild animals [5]. In in vitro studies, the addition of IL-10 in fibroblasts has lessened the expression of type 1 collagen, the production of which is stimulated by transforming growth factor-b [6]. Those observations support the findings of BERGERON et al. [1], as well those from our own studies, that IL-10 might be an important target for future therapies, as well as a diagnostic tool. We think that investigating the interleukin-10 pathways and possible therapeutic uses might be important in discovering more about idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and providing patients with a more effective treatment. Moreover, serum and tissue cytokine profiles might be important in this direction.