Identification and functional characterization of interleukin-22 (IL-22) in orange-spotted grouper ( Epinephelus coioides )

In mammals, IL -22 is considered as a critical cytokine regulating of immunity and homeostasis at barrier surfaces. Although IL -22 have been functional characterization in different species of fish, the studies about distinct responses of IL -22 in different organs/tissues/cell types is rather limited. Here, we identified and cloned IL -22 gene (named as Ec-IL-22) from grouper ( Epinephelus coioides ). Ec-IL-22 gene was detected in all orangs/tissues examined, and was induced in intestine, gill, spleen, head kidney, and primary head kidney/intestine leukocytes following the stimulation of LPS and poly (I:C), as well as Vibrio harveyi and Singapore grouper iridovirus infection (SGIV). In addition, the stimulation of DSS could induce the expression of Ec-IL-22 in intestine and primary leukocytes from intestine. Importantly, the treatment of recombinant Ec-IL-22 induced the mRNA level of proinflammatory cytokines in primary intestine/head kidney leukocytes. The present results improve the understanding of expression patterns and functional characteristics of fish IL -22 in different organs/tissues/cell types.