IL-10 sequence variants are disclosed that retain the therapeutically desirable anti-inflammatory properties of wild-type IL-10 but do not retain the hemoatopoeitic cell regulatory and cell proliferative activities. The mutant IL-10 polypeptides of the invention are used in methods of treating diseases involving inflammatory response, including neuropathic pain and other neurological disorders.
1. An isolated mutant IL-10 polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:3 with a substitution of serine for phenylalanine at position 129 of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:3.
2. A method of treating neuropathic pain in a subject comprising administering to said subject a therapeutic amount of an IL-10 polypeptide according to claim 1 .
3. An isolated mutant IL-10 polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.
4. The IL-10 polypeptide of claim 3 , wherein the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.