Interleukin-8

Il-8 is a chemokine from the group of CXC motif chemokines. In humans, the interleukin-8 protein is encoded by the CXCL8 gene. IL-8 is first formed as a precursor peptide of 99 amino acids, which is then cleaved to several active IL-8 isoforms.

CXCL8 is particularly expressed by endothelial cells (endothelial cells store IL-8 in their storage vesicles, the female-palatal corpuscles), monocytes, epithelial cells and fibroblasts. There are numerous receptors on the surface membrane that can bind IL-8; the most commonly studied types are the G-protein coupled receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2.

As an inflammatory mediator, IL-8 is involved in the chemotactic recruitment of leukocytes, especially neutrophil granulocytes, into the inflamed tissue. Furthermore, CXCL8 acts as an angiogenesis factor and is involved in the formation and regeneration of blood vessels.