IL-8

Iizasa H., Matsushima K.

Interleukin 8 (IL-8), a proinflammatory chemokine, is produced by various types of cells upon stimulation with inflammatory stimuli and exerts a variety of functions on leukocytes, particularly, neutrophils in vitro. Recent studies show that inhibition of IL-8 functions by either administration of specific antibody or disruption of the gene encoding the IL-8 receptor dramatically reduced neutrophils infiltration into acute inflamed tissues. IL-8 plays an pivotal role in acute inflammation by recruiting and activating neutrophils.