The Il22 gene encodes a cytokine, expressed by a variety of lymphocyte populations, which can act as either a pro-or anti-inflammatory factor in different disease models, and is significantly upregulated in chronic liver diseases. Il-22TG mice express mouse Il22 under direction of the liver-specific albumin promoter/enhancer regions. Hemizygous IL-22TG mice express serum levels of IL22 at approximately 6,000 pg/mL, which are detectable as early as 2 weeks of age, and peak at around 1 month of age. IL-22TG mice also express elevated levels of serum amyloid A (SAA). The donating investigator indicates that hemizygotes have thicker epidermis than wildtypes, as well as minor inflammation of the skin. When challenged with concanavalin A treatment, Il-22TG mice are completely resistant to the development of T cell hepatitis. Moreover, Il-22TG mice show accelerated liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy, but are more susceptible to diethylnitrosamine-induced liver cancer. After 5 months of age, hemizygotes may also have lower average bodyweight than wildtypes (<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21465510/">Park et al., 2011</a>). Otherwise, hemizygous mice are viable and fertile with no reported gross physical or behavioral abnormalities.

IL-22TG knock-in mice have the liver-specific albumin (Alb) promoter/enhancer sequences directing expression of the cytokine interleukin-22 (Il22) and express significantly elevated levels of Il22 in serum. These mice may be useful for examining the role of Il22 in inflammatory responses and liver disease pathogenesis and pathology.

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