Mechanisms of interleukin-22’s beneficial effects in acute pancreatitis

Figure 2 Interleukin-22 deficiency results in reduced acinar injury and increased inflammatory infiltration that are reversed by the administration of Reg3 proteins. In the upper panel of Figure 2A, H and E staining of pancreatic tissues shows that in mild AP, IL-22^-/- mice have reduced tissue damage but increased inflammatory cell infiltration compared to IL-22^+/- mice. These changes in IL-22^-/- mice can be reversed by intravenous administration of Regα and Regβ. The lower panel in Figure 2A represents comparative severity of edema, acinar injury and inflammatory cell infiltration among the pancreata in the IL-22^+/-, IL-22^-/- and Reg3s treated IL-22^-/- mice. Consistent with the histology study, Figure 2B shows that IL-22^-/- mice have reduced serum amylase and lipase levels in AP that could be restored by the administration of Reg3s. ^at-test, P < 0.05. IL: Interleukin; AP: Acute pancreatitis.