Fig. 1.

Rationale for using IL-22 plus steroids for the treatment of severe AH: severe AH is associated with many problems in the liver plus systemic inflammation, increased bacterial infection, and renal failure. Prednisolone treatment inhibits systemic inflammation but may increase the risk of bacterial infection. IL-22 treatment exerts many beneficial effects in the liver, such as amelioration of fatty liver, hepatocyte death, liver fibrosis, and promotion of liver regeneration. IL-22 treatment also inhibits bacterial infection and ameliorates renal injury (two deleterious conditions that are often associated with severe AH)