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In mammals, IL-22 is considered as a critical cytokine regulating of immunity and homeostasis at barrier surfaces. Although IL-22 have been functional characterization in different species of fish, the studies about distinct responses of IL-22 in different organs/tissues/cell types is rather limited. Here, we identified and cloned IL-22 gene (named as Ec-IL-22) from grouper (Epinephelus coioides). Ec-IL-22 gene was detected in all orangs/tissues examined, and was induced in intestine, gill, spleen, head kidney, and primary head kidney/intestine leukocytes following the stimulation of LPS and poly (I:C), as well as Vibrio harveyi and Singapore grouper iridovirus infection (SGIV). In addition, the stimulation of DSS could induce the expression of Ec-IL-22 in intestine and primary leukocytes from intestine. Importantly, the treatment of recombinant Ec-IL-22 induced the mRNA level of proinflammatory cytokines in primary intestine/head kidney leukocytes. The present results improve the understanding of expression patterns and functional characteristics of fish IL-22 in different organs/tissues/cell types. • An IL-22 gene named Ec-IL-22 was identified and characterized in grouper. • Ec-IL-22 gene was up-regulated after LPS, poly (I:C) and DSS stimulation. • Ec-IL-22 gene was up-regulated after Vibrio harveyi and SGIV infection. • Recombinant Ec-IL-22 induced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in primary intestine/head kidney leukocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]