Recombinant Human IL-8 (I-190-GRP)

Interleukin 8 (IL-8), also known as CXCL8, is a member of the CXC chemokine family. It is secreted by a variety of cell types including monocytes, macrophages, T cells, neutrophils, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and various tumor cell lines in response to inflammatory stimuli (IL-1, TNF, LPS) (1). It is also synthesized by endothelial cells, which store IL-8 in vesicles. IL-8 functions as a chemoattractant for neutrophils, basophils, and T cells, but not monocytes (2). It also plays a vital role in tumorigenesis, progression and metastasis, and accordingly the expression levels of IL-8 correlate with disease progression in several human carcinomas (3). IL-8 has the N-terminal tripeptide ELR motif, which is known to mediate IL-8 receptor binding and subsequent signal transduction, such as the TRAF6-NF-κB pathway. It can also signal through the CXCR1 and CXCR2 receptors. IL-8 is believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis (4).