Interleukin-22 (IL-22), a member of IL-10 family, plays some important roles in immune response through activation of the STAT 3 signal transduction pathway. Two types of IL-22-binding receptor have been discovered, a membrane-bound receptor and a soluble receptor, both encoded by different genes. IL-22 may be involved in inflammatory processes specifically regulated by soluble receptors. By screening a mouse genomic library for a human IL-22 binding protein homologue, we identified the mouse genomic clone of IL-22 binding protein. Its coding sequence was verified and isolated by RT-PCR. The gene encodes a protein of 230 amino acids that share 67.1% amino-acid sequence identity with human IL-22 binding protein.We designated this receptor 'mouse IL-22 binding protein' (mIL-22BP). mIL-22BP could be upregulated by LPS stimulation in mouse monocytes. mIL-22BP binds to mouse and human IL-22 and neutralizes STAT3 activation induced by both cytokines in human and rat hepatoma cell lines. Treating B cells with mouse IL-22 induces production of reactive oxygen species, which mIL-22BP blocks.

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