Interleukin-22 and interleukin-22 binding protein signaling axis influences intubation status in trauma

Authors

Augustus E. Anderson, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Jacob Broome, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Aaron L. Albuck, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Megan Shenk, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Valeria Noguera, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Wid Covey, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Alison Smith, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
Juan Duchesne, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Danielle Tatum, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Christine M. Bojanowski, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Derek Pociask, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Jay K. Kolls, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Olan Jackson-Weaver, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Sharven Taghavi, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-25-2025

Publication Title

Surgery

Abstract

Background: Interleukin-22 is a cytokine involved in mucosal immunity, whereas interleukin-22 binding protein is a soluble receptor that can potently block interleukin-22. The role of interleukin-22 and interleukin-22 binding protein in trauma remains unclear. This study investigates whether IL-22 levels are associated with intubation in patients with trauma. We hypothesized interleukin-22 levels would be lower in intubated patients. Methods: Plasma samples were prospectively obtained in the trauma bay at consecutive Level 1 activations from November 2021 to November 2022. Patients were categorized as having respiratory failure (intubated) or as controls (nonintubated). Two-to-one case-control matching was conducted based on age, sex, mechanism of injury, and Injury Severity Score. Plasma interleukin-22 and interleukin-22 binding protein levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: In total, 99 patients were matched (33 respiratory failure and 66 controls), with a median age of 41 (interquartile range, 29–61). Interleukin-22 levels were lower in the respiratory failure group (32 pg/mL vs 39 pg/mL, P = .03). Lower interleukin-22 correlated with higher Injury Severity Score (r = −0.41, P < .001) and longer hospital stay (r = −0.26, P = .01). Multivariate analysis showed that lower interleukin-22 levels were independently associated with intubation (odds ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.95–0.99, P = .02). Conclusion: Interleukin-22 may serve as a biomarker for trauma-induced respiratory failure, with lower levels associated with greater injury severity and the need for intubation. Further studies are needed to explore its potential as a therapeutic and to better understand its role in trauma care.

PubMed ID

40857975

Volume

187

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Anderson, Augustus E.; Broome, Jacob; Albuck, Aaron L.; Shenk, Megan; Noguera, Valeria; Covey, Wid; Smith, Alison; Duchesne, Juan; Tatum, Danielle; Bojanowski, Christine M.; Pociask, Derek; Kolls, Jay K.; Jackson-Weaver, Olan; and Taghavi, Sharven, "Interleukin-22 and interleukin-22 binding protein signaling axis influences intubation status in trauma" (2025). School of Medicine Faculty Publications. 3961.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/som_facpubs/3961
10.1016/j.surg.2025.109608