IL22RA1 has been shown to be a receptor for interleukin 22 (IL22). IL22 receptor is a protein complex that consists of this protein and interleukin 10 receptor, beta (IL10BR/CRFB4), a subunit also shared by the receptor complex for interleukin 10 (IL10). This gene and interleukin 28 receptor, alpha (IL28RA) form a cytokine receptor gene cluster in the chromosomal region 1p36.
IL22RA2 encodes a member of the class II cytokine receptor family. The encoded soluble protein specifically binds to and inhibits interleukin 22 activity by blocking the interaction of interleukin 22 with its cell surface receptor. The encoded protein may be important in the regulation of inflammatory response, and has been implicated in the regulation of tumorigenesis in the colon. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms.