Interleukin-8 (IL 8) Human Active Protein

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the CXC chemokine family. This chemokine is one of the major mediators of the inflammatory response. This chemokine is secreted by several cell types. It functions as a chemoattractant, and is also a potent angiogenic factor. This gene is believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of bronchiolitis, a common respiratory tract disease caused by viral infection. This gene and other ten members of the CXC chemokine gene family form a chemokine gene cluster in a region mapped to chromosome 4q. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

IL8: IL-8 is a chemotactic factor that attracts neutrophils, basophils, and T-cells, but not monocytes. It is also involved in neutrophil activation. It is released from several cell types in response to an inflammatory stimulus. IL-8(6-77) has a 5-10-fold higher activity on neutrophil activation, IL-8(5-77) has increased activity on neutrophil activation and IL-8(7-77) has a higher affinity to receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 as compared to IL-8(1-77), respectively. Belongs to the intercrine alpha (chemokine CxC) family. 2 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: Cytokine; Secreted; Secreted, signal peptide; Motility/polarity/chemotaxis

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 4q13-q21

Cellular Component: extracellular space; extracellular region

Molecular Function: protein binding; chemokine activity; interleukin-8 receptor binding

Biological Process: regulation of cell adhesion; neutrophil chemotaxis; neutrophil activation; negative regulation of G-protein coupled receptor protein signaling pathway; unfolded protein response; calcium-mediated signaling; signal transduction; chemotaxis; regulation of retroviral genome replication; induction of positive chemotaxis; negative regulation of cell proliferation; G-protein coupled receptor protein signaling pathway; cellular protein metabolic process; unfolded protein response, activation of signaling protein activity; receptor internalization; response to molecule of bacterial origin; immune response; angiogenesis; inflammatory response; cell motility; cell cycle arrest; embryonic gut development