IL-22 is produced by both innate and adaptive immune cells:
Innate sources: Group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) under IL-23/IL-1β stimulation .
Adaptive sources: Th17, Th22, and γδ T cells via STAT3 and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling .
Functional redundancy: Innate IL-22 protects against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, while adaptive IL-22 compensates in CD4+ T cell-mediated models .
Protective roles:
Pathogenic roles:
Remyelination:
Acute-phase reactions:
Infection models:
Anti-IL-22 strategies: Neutralizing antibodies reduce colitis scores by 50% in TRUC mice .
Pro-repair therapies: IL-22-Fc fusion proteins show promise for demyelination disorders .
Biomarker potential: IL-22-responsive transcripts correlate with ustekinumab resistance in ulcerative colitis patients .
IL-22 plays a crucial role in the immune response, particularly in the context of inflammation and tissue repair. It has been shown to activate STAT-1 and STAT-3 signaling pathways in several hepatoma cell lines, leading to the upregulation of acute phase proteins . Additionally, IL-22 is involved in the regulation of various inflammatory responses, as its expression is induced in multiple organs upon lipopolysaccharide injection .
Recombinant mouse IL-22 is typically produced in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and is available in a lyophilized form for research purposes . The recombinant protein is often tagged with a His-tag for purification and detection purposes . It is essential to reconstitute the lyophilized protein in sterile water to prepare a stock solution, which can then be used in various experimental setups .
IL-22 has been extensively studied for its potential therapeutic applications, particularly in the context of inflammatory diseases and tissue repair. Recent studies have highlighted its role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, where it regulates vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and cholesterol metabolism . IL-22’s ability to modulate immune responses makes it a promising target for therapeutic interventions in various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.