Anti-apoptotic effect of interleukin-22 on fibroblast-like synoviocytes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is mediated via the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway

IL-22 protects against SNP-induced apoptosis in RA-FLS by activating the STAT3 pathway and the downstream target gene, Bcl-2. Therefore, therapeutic strategies that target the IL-22/STAT3 pathway are implicated as candidates for RA treatment.