In stroke patients, the best established features of stroke-induced immunodepression are increased levels of stress hormones and anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-10 (Haeusler et al., 2008; Klehmet et al., 2009; Urra et al., 2009a), decreased numbers of circulating lymphocytes (Haeusler et al., 2008; Vogelgesang et al., 2008; Urra et al., 2009b), and monocyte deactivation with reduced expression of HLA-DR and reduced capacity to produce inflammatory cytokines (Haeusler et al., 2008; Urra et al., 2009a). This evidence concerns the gene IL10 and stroke disorder.