Interleukin-8, a chemotactic and inflammatory cytokine.
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Baggiolini M, Clark-Lewis I
Interleukin-8, a chemotactic and inflammatory cytokine.
FEBS Lett. 1992 Jul 27;307(1):97-101.
- PubMed ID
- 1639201 [ View in PubMed]
- Abstract
Interleukin-8 (IL-8) belongs to a family of small, structurally related cytokines similar to platelet factor 4. It is produced by phagocytes and mesenchymal cells exposed to inflammatory stimuli (e.g., interleukin-1 or tumor necrosis factor) and activates neutrophils inducing chemotaxis, exocytosis and the respiratory burst. In vivo, IL-8 elicits a massive neutrophil accumulation at the site of injection. Five neutrophil-activating cytokines similar to IL-8 in structure and function have been identified recently. IL-8 and the related cytokines are produced in several tissues upon infection, inflammation, ischemia, trauma etc., and are thought to be the main cause of local neutrophil accumulation.