IL-22 and inflammation: leukin' through a glass onion.
IL-22 is a Th17 T-cell-associated cytokine that is highly expressed during chronic inflammation. IL-22 receptor expression is absent on immune cells, but is instead restricted to the tissues, providing signaling directionality from the immune system to the tissues. Through Stat3 signaling, IL-22 induces a variety of proliferative, anti-apoptotic, and anti-microbial pathways. IL-22 is bi-functional with both pro-inflammatory and protective effects on tissues depending on the inflammatory context. The cytokine plays a role both in the host response against extracellular pathogens and in the inflammation associated with autoimmune diseases. Therapeutics targeting IL-22 therefore may have promise for treating various chronic inflammatory diseases.
Zenewicz
Lauren A
LA
Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
Flavell
Richard A
RA
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007378:Interleukins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D000097043:Interleukin-22
D007378:Interleukins; D000097043:Interleukin-22