Heme-oxygenase 1 (HO-1) is a stress-response protein with anti-inflammatory activity. This study has examined the regulation of HO-1 expression by the anti-inflammatory factor, interleukin (IL)-10 and whether HO-1 could account for the function of the cytokine. IL-10-induced expression of HO-1 required the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3 but not p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. However, expression of HO-1 also required the activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase pathway, a signaling mechanism not required for the anti-inflammatory activity of IL-10. Moreover, induction of HO-1 expression was not restricted to IL-10, as IL-6, a cytokine known to activate STAT-3, could also induce the protein. In human macrophages, lipopolysaccharide inhibited HO-1 expression induced by IL-10 Also, inhibition of HO-1 activity by the specific inhibitor zinc-II-protoporphyrin-IX had no effect on the anti-inflammatory function of IL-10. In summary, although IL-10 does regulate HO-1 expression, it does not appear to play a significant role in the anti-inflammatory activity of the cytokine.