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Updated: Jun 28, 2025

Visualization of IL-22-expressing Lymphocytes Using Reporter Mice
Published on: January 25, 2017
IL-22, a vital cytokine in autoimmune diseases
Jiajin Li1, Zhen Wu2, Yuxin Wu2
1The Second Clinical School of Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
Abstract:
Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is a vital cytokine that is dysregulated in various autoimmune conditions including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS), and Alzheimer's disease (AD). As the starting point for the activation of numerous signaling pathways, IL-22 plays an important role in the initiation and development of autoimmune diseases. Specifically, imbalances in IL-22 signaling can interfere with other signaling pathways, causing cross-regulation of target genes which ultimately leads to the development of immune disorders. This review delineates the various connections between the IL-22 signaling pathway and autoimmune disease, focusing on the latest understanding of the cellular sources of IL-22 and its effects on various cell types. We further explore progress with pharmacological interventions related to targeting IL-22, describing how such therapeutic strategies promise to usher in a new era in the treatment of autoimmune disease.
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