Research progress on the roles of interleukin-22 in autoimmune diseases

Interleukin-22(IL-22) is an Interleukin-10(IL-10) family cytokine member.As a new discovered cytokine,it has close relationship with many autoimmune diseases.Recently,there is emerging evidence that IL-22 is involved in the development and pathogenesis of many autoimmune diseases,such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),rheumatoid arthritis (RA),multiple sclerosis (MS),Sjogren syndrome (SS) and psoriasis.However,in different immune diseases,the role of IL-22 plays is not all the same,it may play a pathogenic role,also may play a protective role.Therefore,therapeutics targeting IL-22 may have promise for treating various autoimmune diseases.In this paper,we review the new discovery and different pathogenesis of IL-22 in several autoimmune diseases,as well as discuss its clinical implications and therapeutic potential. Key words: Interleukin-22;  Autoimmune disease