REG3A and IL22 opposite effects on fat accumulation in the liver and impact on gut microbiota composition in a mice model

IL22 is a cytokine with many immunoregulatory effects. It also promotes mucus production, cell proliferation and wound healing, making it a key component of intestinal health. An increasing body of studies highlight the potential of IL22 as a therapeutic drug against NAFLD through the induction of antimicrobial peptides, especially of the Reg3 lectins family, and the regulation of gut microbiota. However, adverse reactions to this molecule in long term administration are little-studied. In this study we provide evidence that daily long term administration of IL22 can aggravate NAFLD by mechanisms independent from gut microbiota.

白细胞介素22（IL22）是一类具有多种免疫调节活性的细胞因子，可促进黏液生成、细胞增殖与伤口愈合，是维持肠道健康的关键组分。日益增多的研究凸显了IL22作为抗非酒精性脂肪性肝病（NAFLD）治疗药物的潜力，其可通过诱导抗菌肽（antimicrobial peptides，尤其是Reg3凝集素家族（Reg3 lectins family）成员）以及调控肠道菌群（gut microbiota）发挥作用。然而，目前针对该分子长期给药后的不良反应的研究仍相对匮乏。本研究证实，每日长期给予IL22可通过不依赖肠道菌群的机制加重非酒精性脂肪性肝病（NAFLD）。