Recombinant IL-22 treatment or ILC3 transfer prevented neutrophil accumulation near alveoli, inhibited neutrophil elastase 2 (ELA2) production and prevented epithelial cell damage, identifying a novel mechanism for IL-22 and ILC3-mediated inhibition of inflammation in T2DM mice infected with an intracellular pathogen. This evidence concerns the gene IL22 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.