Additionally, activation of the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor protects mice from AP by inducing expression of IL-22.[36] And administration of IL-22 before AP prevented the AP induction in a mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) model, and IL-22 knockout mice had less acinar cell injury but increased inflammatory cell infiltration.[39] However, in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) models, IL-22 administration during AP significantly ameliorated the pancreas injury. This evidence concerns the gene AHR and acute pancreatitis.