These results suggest that IL-10 secreted by THP-1 cells is sensed by IL10 receptors on βlox5 cell membranes, triggering the phosphorylation of STAT3 and, consequently, transcription of IL10. This signaling pathway has been previously implicated in type 1 diabetes prevention in the NOD model, where it was shown that administration of IL-10 or viral IL-10 gene transfer were effective in the prevention of autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice (46–48). The gene discussed is STAT3; the disease is type 1 diabetes mellitus.