IL-22 Attenuates Pressure Overload-Induced Heart Failure and Inflammation

Heart failure (HF) due to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction remains a major global health challenge, with inflammation driving its progression under chronic pressure overload, such as hypertension. This study explored the role of interleukin-22 (IL-22), a cytokine associated with tissue protection, in HF induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). IL-22 knockout (KO) mice exhibited exacerbated HF, marked by worsened LV hypertrophy, heightened inflammation, and impaired cardiac function compared to wild-type controls. Conversely, treatment with recombinant IL-22Fc improved LV function, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, and alleviated cardiac remodeling and inflammation. These findings demonstrate that IL-22 plays a critical role in regulating inflammation and cardiac remodeling in pressure overload-induced HF. Targeting IL-22 may represent a promising therapeutic strategy to alleviate HF progression and associated pulmonary complications.