IL-10 signalling blockade at the time of immunization inhibits Human papillomavirus 16 E7 transformed TC-1 tumour cells growth in mice

•Blocking IL-10 induced enhanced CD8+ T cell responses to subdominant CTL epitopes.•Subcutaneous injection of anti-IL10R antibodies also enhances T cell responses.•Blocking IL-10 signalling prevents HPV16 E7 transformed TC-1 tumour growth in mice.•Immunization with MPL or LPS and IL-10R antibodies generates same T cell responses.

IL-10 signalling blockade by intra-peritoneal injection of anti-IL-10 receptor antibodies at the time of immunization enhances vaccine induced CD8+ T cell responses and promotes bacteria, parasitic and viral control. We now show that blockade of IL-10 signalling at the time of immunization enhances vaccine induced antigen specific CD8+ T cell responses to both dominant and subdominant CTL epitopes. Injection of anti-IL-10 receptor antibodies subcutaneous at the time of immunization also enhances CD8+ T cell responses. Furthermore, IL-10 signalling blockade at the time of a Human papillomavirus 16 E7 peptide/LPS immunization, prevents HPV16 E7 transformed TC-1 tumour growth in mice. Immunization in the presence of anti-IL-10R antibodies and Monophosphoryl lipid A, generates antigen specific CD8+ T cell responses similar to immunization with LPS. Our results suggest that immunization and IL-10 signalling blockade may provide a novel way for the development of therapeutic vaccines against cancer.