IL-22 receptor antagonist (Y51A)

IL-22 is a member of the IL-10 family of regulatory cytokines which includes IL-10, IL-19, IL-20, IL-22, IL-24 and IL-26. Members of this family share partial homology in their amino acid sequences, but they are dissimilar in their biological functions. Produced by T lymphocytes, IL-22 inhibits IL-4 production by Th2 cells, and induces acute phase reactants in the liver and pancreas. IL-22 signals through a receptor system consisting of IL-10R-beta/CRF2-4 and IL-22R, both of which are members of the class II cytokine-receptor family. Recombinant human IL-22 mutant Y51A (numbering according to human IL-22 including signal peptide) produced in E.Coli is a single, non-glycosylated polypeptide chain containing 147 amino acids and having a molecular mass of 16.7 kDa. Preparation of recombinant hIL-22 antagonists provides new tools for the study of IL-22 activity and of eventual therapeutic means for attenuating its negative effects. It was prepared similarly to that described by L. Niv-Spector et al. Protein Eng Des Sel. (PEDS) 25:397-404 (2012) .