Interleukin 22 Promotes Blood Pressure Elevation and Endothelial Dysfunction in Angiotensin II–Treated Mice

BackgroundCD4+ T helper (Th) cells, including Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, play critical roles in angiotensin II–induced hypertension. Th22 cells, a novel subset of Th cells, take part in cardiovascular diseases by producing IL‐22 (interleukin 22). This study aimed to investigate whether IL‐22 is involved in hypertension. Methods and ResultsTh22 cells and IL‐22 levels were detected in angiotensin II–infused mice, and the results showed that Th22 cells and IL‐22 levels significantly increased. To determine the effect of Th22/IL‐22 on blood pressure regulation, angiotensin II–infused mice were treated with recombinant mouse IL‐22, an anti–IL‐22 neutralizing monoclonal antibody, or control. Treatment with recombinant IL‐22 resulted in increased blood pressure, amplified inflammatory responses, and aggravated endothelial dysfunction, whereas the anti–IL‐22 neutralizing monoclonal antibody decreased blood pressure, reduced inflammatory responses, and attenuated endothelial dysfunction. To determine whether the ST...