Biological and pathological activities of interleukin-22

J Mol Med (Berl). 2016 May;94(5):523-34. doi: 10.1007/s00109-016-1391-6. Epub 2016 Feb 29.

Abstract

Interleukin (IL)-22, a member of the IL-10 family, is a cytokine secreted by several types of immune cells including IL-22(+)CD4(+) T cells (Th22) and IL-22 expressing innate leukocytes (ILC22). Recent studies have demonstrated that IL-22 is a key component in mucosal barrier defense, tissue repair, epithelial cell survival, and proliferation. Furthermore, accumulating evidence has defined both protective and pathogenic properties of IL-22 in a number of conditions including autoimmune disease, infection, and malignancy. In this review, we summarize the expression and signaling pathway and functional characteristics of the IL-22 and IL-22 receptor axis in physiological and pathological scenarios and discuss the potential to target IL-22 signaling to treat human diseases.

Keywords: Autoimmune; Cancer; IL-22; IL-22BP; IL-22R; ILC22; Infection; T cell; Th22.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / complications
  • Autoimmune Diseases / genetics
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / metabolism
  • Autoimmunity
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / immunology
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / complications
  • Inflammation / etiology
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Interleukin-22
  • Interleukins / genetics
  • Interleukins / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Receptors, Interleukin / genetics
  • Receptors, Interleukin / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Interleukins
  • Receptors, Interleukin
  • interleukin-22 receptor