Rehydration rescues Il22^-/- mice from lethal Citrobacter rodentium infection.

ABSTRACT: Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is considered indispensable for host defence against Citrobacter rodentium, with 100% mortality of Il22^-/- mice. While IL-22 promotes epithelial barrier integrity and production of antimicrobial peptides, the precise mechanism underlying lethality remains unclear. Here, we show that following C. rodentium infection Il22^-/- mice succumb due to dehydration, rather than failure to control bacterial burden or regenerate damaged intestinal epithelium. Proteomic and gene expression analysis reveal greater enterocyte depletion in C. rodentium-infected Il22^-/- mice, resulting in significant reductions in ion transporter abundances. We show that while not reducing bacterial load, improving the gut barrier integrity, or affecting immune respons

SUBMITTER: Mishra V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12789483 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature