Interleukin-8 (IL-8)*

Interleukin 8 (IL-8), formerly called monocyte-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor, belongs to the C-X-C chemokine family. IL-8 has 4 cysteine residues, as do other members of the chemokine family, and the first two cysteine residues are separated by glutamine. IL-8 consists of 72 amino acids with a molecular weight of 8,000 daltons. IL-8 exhibits chemotactic activity in vitro for T cells, basophils and neutrophils. IL-8 activates neutrophils to release lysosomal enzymes including myeloperoxidase, ?-mannosidase and ?-glucuronidase. IL-1 induces the production of IL-8 from fibroblasts, keratinocytes, endothelial cells, hepatoma cells, astrocytoma cells, glioblastoma cells, lung epithelial cells, synovial membrane cells, melanocytes, melanoma cells and gastric cancer cells. Lipopolysaccharides will stimulate IL-8 production in monocytes/macrophages, and expressed on endothelial cells in response to inflammation.