Research advances in understanding the role of interleukin-22 in renal disease

Interleukin 22(IL-22), a member of IL-10 cytokine superfamily, is dominantly produced by innate lymphoid cells and CD4+ T helper subtypes such as Th17 and Th22 cells. And interleukin-22 receptor(IL-22R) is a dimer composed of IL-22R1 and IL-10R2 subunit. IL-22 plays a role by conjugating with IL-22R. Recently IL-22 has gained a lot of interest for its unique functions in maintaining and regaining epithelial integrity. However, IL-22 may play a protective or pathogenic role in the occurrence and development of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This review summarized the latest researches of IL-22 in renal injury-related diseases.