Interleukin 8 Explained

Interleukin 8 (IL-8 or chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 8, CXCL8) is a chemokine produced by macrophages and other cell types such as epithelial cells, airway smooth muscle cells[1] and endothelial cells. Endothelial cells store IL-8 in their storage vesicles, the Weibel–Palade bodies.[2] [3] In humans, the interleukin-8 protein is encoded by the CXCL8 gene.[4] IL-8 is initially produced as a precursor peptide of 99 amino acids which then undergoes cleavage to create several active IL-8 isoforms.[5] In culture, a 72 amino acid peptide is the major form secreted by macrophages.[5]

There are many receptors on the surface membrane capable of binding IL-8; the most frequently studied types are the G protein-coupled serpentine receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2. Expression and affinity for IL-8 differs between the two receptors (CXCR1 > CXCR2). Through a chain of biochemical reactions, IL-8 is secreted and is an important mediator of the immune reaction in the innate immune system response.

Function

IL-8, also known as neutrophil chemotactic factor, has two primary functions. It induces chemotaxis in target cells, primarily neutrophils but also other granulocytes, causing them to migrate toward the site of infection. IL-8 also stimulates phagocytosis once they have arrived. IL-8 is also known to be a potent promoter of angiogenesis. In target cells, IL-8 induces a series of physiological responses required for migration and phagocytosis, such as increases in intracellular Ca2+, exocytosis (e.g. histamine release), and the respiratory burst.

IL-8 can be secreted by any cells with toll-like receptors that are involved in the innate immune response and has been demonstrated to be a signatory chemokine of CR2+ naive T cells, also known as recent thymic emigrants.[6] Usually, it is the macrophages that see an antigen first, and thus are the first cells to release IL-8 to recruit other cells. Both monomer and homodimer forms of IL-8 have been reported to be potent inducers of the chemokine receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2. The homodimer is more potent, but methylation of Leu25 can block the activity of homodimers. IL-8 is a member of the CXC chemokine family. The genes encoding this and the other ten members of the CXC chemokine family form a cluster in a region mapped to chromosome 4q.

IL-8 is believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of bronchiolitis, a common respiratory tract disease caused by viral infection.

Another key function of the cell signalling stimulated by IL-8, is the initiation of the oxidative burst.[7] This process allows the build up of proteolytic enzymes and reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are necessary to break down the ECM and basement membrane. These are released in secretory granules, along with more integrins. The release of ROS and damaging enzymes is regulated to minimise host damage, but continues to reach site of infection at which it will carry out its effector functions.[8]

IL-8 mediated chemotaxis of the neutrophil

IL-8 is the primary cytokine involved in the recruitment of neutrophils to the site of damage or infection; in a process called chemotaxis. A number of variables are essential for the successful chemotaxis of neutrophils, including the increased expression of high affinity adhesion molecules to secure the neutrophil to the endothelium near the affected site (and is therefore not washed away into the circulatory system), and that the neutrophil can digest its way through the basement membrane and the extracellular matrix (ECM) to reach affected site. IL-8 plays a key role in inducing the cell signalling necessary to bring about these changes.[9]

Firstly, at the site of infection histamine release causes vasodilation of the capillaries near the injured area which slows down the blood flow in the region and encourages leukocytes, such as neutrophils, to come closer to the endothelium, and away from the centre of the lumen where the rate of blood flow is highest. Once this occurs weak interactions are made between the selectins expressed on the neutrophil and endothelial cells (expression of which is also increased through the action of IL-8 and other cytokines). On the neutrophil these are: L selectins, and on the endothelial cell: P and E selectins. This causes the "rolling" phase of chemotaxis.

Once the neutrophil is rolling along the endothelium, it will come into contact with a IL-8 molecule expressed on the surface which stimulates the cell signalling pathway, mediated through a G-coupled-protein-receptor. The binding of IL-8 to CXCR1/2 on the neutrophil stimulates the neutrophils to upregulate their expression of the integrin, LFA-1 (Lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1), which takes part in high affinity bonding with ICAM-1(Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1) receptors expressed on the endothelium. The expression and affinity of LFA-1 is significantly increased to maximise binding. This causes the neutrophil to slow down more until it is stationary.[9]

Target cells

While neutrophil granulocytes are the primary target cells of IL-8, there are a relatively wide range of cells (endothelial cells, macrophages, mast cells, and keratinocytes) that respond to this chemokine. The chemoattractant activity of IL-8 in similar concentrations to vertebrates was proven in Tetrahymena pyriformis, which suggests a phylogenetically well-conserved structure and function for this chemokine.[10]

Clinical significance

Interleukin-8 is a key mediator associated with inflammation where it plays a key role in neutrophil recruitment and neutrophil degranulation.[11] As an example, it has been cited as a proinflammatory mediator in gingivitis[12] and psoriasis.

Interleukin-8 secretion is increased by oxidant stress, which thereby cause the recruitment of inflammatory cells and induces a further increase in oxidant stress mediators, making it a key parameter in localized inflammation.[13] IL-8 was shown to be associated with obesity.[14]

IL-8 has also been implied to have a role in colorectal cancer by acting as an autocrine growth factor for colon carcinoma cell lines[15] or the promotion of division and possible migration by cleaving metalloproteinase molecules.[16] It has also been shown that IL-8 plays an important role in chemoresistance of malignant pleural mesothelioma by inducing expression of transmembrane transporters.[17]

If a pregnant mother has high levels of interleukin-8, there is an increased risk of schizophrenia in her offspring.[18] High levels of Interleukin 8 have been shown to reduce the likelihood of positive responses to antipsychotic medication in schizophrenia.[19]

IL-8 has also been implicated in the pathology of cystic fibrosis. Through its action as a signalling molecule IL-8 is capable of recruiting and guiding neutrophils to the lung epithelium. Overstimulation and dysfunction of these recruited neutrophils within the airways results in release of a number of pro-inflammatory molecules and proteases resulting in further damage of lung tissue.[20]

Some benzodiazepines have inhibitory effects on the adenosine A2B receptor mediated secretion of interleukin-8 in human mast cells. In a 2013 study, diazepam, 4′-chlorodiazepam and flunitrazepam markedly reduced NECA-induced interleukin-8 production in that order of potency, whereas clonazepam showed only a modest inhibition.[21]

Regulation of expression

The expression of IL-8 is negatively regulated by a number of mechanisms. MiRNA-146a/b-5p indirectly represses IL-8 expression by silencing the expression of IRAK1.[22] Additionally, the 3'UTR of IL-8 contains a A/U-rich element that makes it extremely unstable under certain conditions. IL-8 and other inflammatory cytokines form a vicious cycle with the transcription factor NF-κB in cystic fibrosis.[23] NF-κB regulation represents a novel anti-IL-8 therapy for use in inflammatory diseases such as cystic fibrosis. Pathways leading to the induction of ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6) phosphorylation have also been found to enhance IL-8 protein synthesis. This translational control of IL-8 expression is dependent on A/U-rich proximal sequences (APS), which are found in the 3'UTR of IL-8 immediately after the stop codon.[24]

Nomenclature

IL-8 was renamed CXCL8 by the Chemokine Nomenclature Subcommittee of the International Union of Immunological Societies,.[25] Its approved HUGO gene symbol is CXCL8. Its receptors were similarly renamed:

Further reading

Notes and References

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  2. Wolff B, Burns AR, Middleton J, Rot A . Endothelial cell "memory" of inflammatory stimulation: human venular endothelial cells store interleukin 8 in Weibel-Palade bodies . The Journal of Experimental Medicine . 188 . 9 . 1757–1762 . November 1998 . 9802987 . 2212526 . 10.1084/jem.188.9.1757 .
  3. Utgaard JO, Jahnsen FL, Bakka A, Brandtzaeg P, Haraldsen G . Rapid secretion of prestored interleukin 8 from Weibel-Palade bodies of microvascular endothelial cells . The Journal of Experimental Medicine . 188 . 9 . 1751–1756 . November 1998 . 9802986 . 2212514 . 10.1084/jem.188.9.1751 .
  4. Modi WS, Dean M, Seuanez HN, Mukaida N, Matsushima K, O'Brien SJ . Monocyte-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor (MDNCF/IL-8) resides in a gene cluster along with several other members of the platelet factor 4 gene superfamily . Human Genetics . 84 . 2 . 185–187 . January 1990 . 1967588 . 10.1007/BF00208938 . 2217894 .
  5. Brat DJ, Bellail AC, Van Meir EG . The role of interleukin-8 and its receptors in gliomagenesis and tumoral angiogenesis . Neuro-Oncology . 7 . 2 . 122–133 . April 2005 . 15831231 . 1871893 . 10.1215/s1152851704001061 .
  6. Pekalski ML, García AR, Ferreira RC, Rainbow DB, Smyth DJ, Mashar M, Brady J, Savinykh N, Dopico XC, Mahmood S, Duley S, Stevens HE, Walker NM, Cutler AJ, Waldron-Lynch F, Dunger DB, Shannon-Lowe C, Coles AJ, Jones JL, Wallace C, Todd JA, Wicker LS . Neonatal and adult recent thymic emigrants produce IL-8 and express complement receptors CR1 and CR2 . JCI Insight . 2 . 16 . August 2017 . 28814669 . 5621870 . 10.1172/jci.insight.93739 .
  7. Bréchard S, Bueb JL, Tschirhart EJ . Interleukin-8 primes oxidative burst in neutrophil-like HL-60 through changes in cytosolic calcium . Cell Calcium . 37 . 6 . 531–540 . June 2005 . 15862344 . 10.1016/j.ceca.2005.01.019 .
  8. Web site: Entrez Gene: IL8 interleukin 8.
  9. Dixit N, Simon SI . Chemokines, selectins and intracellular calcium flux: temporal and spatial cues for leukocyte arrest . Frontiers in Immunology . 3 . 188 . 2012 . 22787461 . 3392659 . 10.3389/fimmu.2012.00188 . free .
  10. Köhidai L, Csaba G . Chemotaxis and chemotactic selection induced with cytokines (IL-8, RANTES and TNF-alpha) in the unicellular Tetrahymena pyriformis . Cytokine . 10 . 7 . 481–486 . July 1998 . 9702410 . 10.1006/cyto.1997.0328 . 33755476 .
  11. Harada A, Sekido N, Akahoshi T, Wada T, Mukaida N, Matsushima K . Essential involvement of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in acute inflammation . Journal of Leukocyte Biology . 56 . 5 . 559–564 . November 1994 . 7964163 . 10.1002/jlb.56.5.559 . dead . 8035653 . https://archive.today/20160727021201/http://www.jleukbio.org/content/56/5/559 . 2016-07-27 .
  12. Haake, SK, Huang, GTJ: Molecular Biology of the host-Microbe Interaction in Periodontal Diseases (Selected Topics). In Newman, Takei, Carranza, editors: Clinical Periodontology, 9th Edition. Philadelphia: W.B.Saunders Co. 2002. page 162.
  13. Vlahopoulos S, Boldogh I, Casola A, Brasier AR . Nuclear factor-kappaB-dependent induction of interleukin-8 gene expression by tumor necrosis factor alpha: evidence for an antioxidant sensitive activating pathway distinct from nuclear translocation . Blood . 94 . 6 . 1878–1889 . September 1999 . 10477716 . 10.1182/blood.V94.6.1878.418k03_1878_1889 . 2024-07-29 . 25974629 .
  14. Sharabiani MT, Vermeulen R, Scoccianti C, Hosnijeh FS, Minelli L, Sacerdote C, Palli D, Krogh V, Tumino R, Chiodini P, Panico S, Vineis P . Immunologic profile of excessive body weight . Biomarkers . 16 . 3 . 243–251 . May 2011 . 21506696 . 10.3109/1354750X.2010.547948 . 36127785 .
  15. Brew R, Erikson JS, West DC, Kinsella AR, Slavin J, Christmas SE . Interleukin-8 as an autocrine growth factor for human colon carcinoma cells in vitro . Cytokine . 12 . 1 . 78–85 . January 2000 . 10623446 . 10.1006/cyto.1999.0518 .
  16. Itoh Y, Joh T, Tanida S, Sasaki M, Kataoka H, Itoh K, Oshima T, Ogasawara N, Togawa S, Wada T, Kubota H, Mori Y, Ohara H, Nomura T, Higashiyama S, Itoh M . IL-8 promotes cell proliferation and migration through metalloproteinase-cleavage proHB-EGF in human colon carcinoma cells . Cytokine . 29 . 6 . 275–282 . March 2005 . 15749028 . 10.1016/j.cyto.2004.11.005 .
  17. Milosevic, V. et al. Wnt/IL-1β/IL-8 autocrine circuitries control chemoresistance in mesothelioma initiating cells by inducing ABCB5.Int. J. Cancer, https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.32419
  18. Brown AS, Hooton J, Schaefer CA, Zhang H, Petkova E, Babulas V, Perrin M, Gorman JM, Susser ES . Elevated maternal interleukin-8 levels and risk of schizophrenia in adult offspring . The American Journal of Psychiatry . 161 . 5 . 889–895 . May 2004 . 15121655 . 10.1176/appi.ajp.161.5.889 .
  19. Zhang XY, Zhou DF, Cao LY, Zhang PY, Wu GY, Shen YC . Changes in serum interleukin-2, -6, and -8 levels before and during treatment with risperidone and haloperidol: relationship to outcome in schizophrenia . The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry . 65 . 7 . 940–947 . July 2004 . 15291683 . 10.4088/JCP.v65n0710 .
  20. Reeves EP, Williamson M, O'Neill SJ, Greally P, McElvaney NG . Nebulized hypertonic saline decreases IL-8 in sputum of patients with cystic fibrosis . American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine . 183 . 11 . 1517–1523 . June 2011 . 21330456 . 10.1164/rccm.201101-0072oc .
  21. Hoffmann K, Xifró RA, Hartweg JL, Spitzlei P, Meis K, Molderings GJ, von Kügelgen I . Inhibitory effects of benzodiazepines on the adenosine A(2B) receptor mediated secretion of interleukin-8 in human mast cells . European Journal of Pharmacology . 700 . 1–3 . 152–158 . January 2013 . 23266380 . 10.1016/j.ejphar.2012.12.003 .
  22. Bhaumik D, Scott GK, Schokrpur S, Patil CK, Orjalo AV, Rodier F, Lithgow GJ, Campisi J . MicroRNAs miR-146a/b negatively modulate the senescence-associated inflammatory mediators IL-6 and IL-8 . Aging . 1 . 4 . 402–411 . April 2009 . 20148189 . 2818025 . 10.18632/aging.100042 .
  23. Rottner M, Freyssinet JM, Martínez MC . Mechanisms of the noxious inflammatory cycle in cystic fibrosis . Respiratory Research . 10 . 1 . 23 . March 2009 . 19284656 . 2660284 . 10.1186/1465-9921-10-23 . free .
  24. Ang Z, Koean RA, Er JZ, Lee LT, Tam JK, Guo H, Ding JL . Novel AU-rich proximal UTR sequences (APS) enhance CXCL8 synthesis upon the induction of rpS6 phosphorylation . PLOS Genetics . 15 . 4 . e1008077 . April 2019 . 30969964 . 6476525 . 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008077 . free .
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