Review of the potential value of serum interleukin levels as prognostic biomarkers of liver failure

Figure 3 Mechanism of interleukin 22 (IL-22) in liver failure (diagram illustrates the protective role of IL-22 in liver health and its potential benefits in preventing liver failure). Interleukin 22 (IL-22) is secreted by immune cells, specifically progenitor cells, and binds to receptors on the surface of hepatocytes, stellate cells, and progenitor cells. This binding triggers a series of downstream effects: (1) Hepatocytes: IL-22 acts on hepatocytes by increasing the production of acute-phase proteins, which help fight infection and inflammation. This, in turn, helps restrain the infiltration of immune cells, reducing inflammation and protecting the liver from damage; (2) Stellate cells: IL-22's interaction with stellate cells increases protection against damage and reduces liver cell apoptosis (cell death) and oxidative stress; (3) Progenitor cells: IL-22 stimulates the production of mitochondria and antioxidant proteins in progenitor cells. This promotes the proliferation of liver progenitor cells and hepatic stem cells, which are crucial for liver regeneration).