Characterization of interleukin-8 receptors in non-human primates

Interleukin-8 is a chemokine with a potent neutrophil chemoatractant activity. In humans, two different cDNAs encoding human IL8 receptors designated IL8RA and IL8RB have been cloned. IL8RA binds IL8, while IL8RB binds IL8 as well as other α-chemokines. Both human IL8Rs are encoded by two genes physically linked on chromosome 2. TheIL8RA andIL8RB genes have open reading frames (ORF) lacking introns. By direct sequencing of the polymerase chain reaction products, we sequenced theIL8R genes of cell lines from four non-human primates: chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan, and macaca. TheIL8RB encodes an ORF in the four non-human primates, showing 95%–99% similarity to the human IL8RB sequence. TheIL8RA homologue in gorilla and chimpanzee consisted of two ORF 98%–99% identical to the human sequence. The macaca and orangutanIL8RA homologues are pseudogenes: a 2 base pair insertion generated a sequence with several stop codons. In addition, we describe the physical linkage of these genes in the four non-human primates and discuss the evolutionary implications of these findings. The nucleotide sequence data reported in this paper have been submitted to the EMBL/GenBank nucleotide sequence databases and have assigned the accession numbers X91109 (PTIL8RA), X91110 (GGIL8RA), X91111 (PPIL8Ra), X91112 (MMIL8RA), X91113 (PTIL8RB), X9114 (GGIL8RB), X91115 (PPIL8RB), and X91116 (MMIL8RB)     

Characterization of granulocyte chemotactic activity from human cytokine-stimulated chondrocytes as interleukin 8

Human articular chondrocytes, when stimulated with interleukin 1 beta (IL 1 beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), or with the double stranded RNA poly (rI).poly (rC), produce a chemotactic activity for granulocytes. The induction with IL 1 beta could be abolished by an antibody to IL 1 beta but not by an antibody to interleukin 6 (IL 6), indicating that the latter is not a mediator for the production of chemotactic activity. The inducers had no direct chemotactic effect on granulocytes. The granulocyte chemotactic factor from chondrocytes was characterized with a specific antibody against leukocyte-derived interleukin 8 (IL 8). The specificity of this antibody was demonstrated by immunochemical and biological criteria such that it could immunoprecipitate only the 6-7 kDa IL 8 protein from fibroblasts, and that it did not neutralize a structurally related monocyte chemotactic protein. This antibody against IL 8 completely neutralized the granulocyte chemotactic activity from stimulated chondrocytes. This demonstrates the identity of chondrocyte IL 8 with leukocyte- and fibroblast-derived IL 8. Our data show that leukocyte chemotaxis into the inflamed joint can be mediated by IL 8, induced in both synovial fibroblasts and chondrocytes by the inflammatory cytokines IL 1 and TNF-alpha.     

Assignment of the genes encoding human interleukin-8 receptor types 1 and 2 and an interleukin-8 receptor pseudogene to chromosome 2q35.

Two human cDNA clones that encode different interleukin-8 (IL8) receptors have recently been isolated. The interleukin-8 receptor type 1 (IL8R1) binds IL8 only, whereas the interleukin-8 receptor type 2 (IL8R2) (previously designated IL8RA) also binds growth regulated gene (GRO), and neutrophil activating protein-2 (NAP-2) with high affinity. In the process of screening a genomic library with these cDNAs to obtain large clones for use in chromosomal localization studies, we isolated an interleukin-8 receptor pseudogene (IL8RP) that bears greatest similarity to IL8R2. Using Southern hybridization analysis of human x rodent somatic cell hybrid DNAs with cDNA probes for IL8R1 and IL8R2 and probes from the IL8RP locus, we assigned the three loci to chromosome 2; fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to metaphase chromosome preparations using genomic clones from each locus refined this localization to chromosome 2, band q35, for all three. By virtue of their chromosomal location, IL8R1 and IL8R2 may be considered candidate genes for several human disorders in which the involved locus has been mapped to distal 2q or that are associated with structural abnormalities of this segment, including van der Woude syndrome and the neoplastic diseases rhabdomyosarcoma and uterine leiomyomata. In addition, because this region of chromosome 2q is homologous to proximal mouse chromosome 1 in the segment containing the Lsh-Ity-Bcg locus involved in mediating host resistance to infection with intracellular pathogens, examination for abnormalities of the murine homologues of the IL8R genes should be considered in mice affected by mutations of this locus.     

OKT8 antibody inhibits OKT3-induced IL 2 production and proliferation in OKT8+ cells

We studied IL 2 production and proliferation induced by OKT3 mitogenic monoclonal antibody in the OKT8+ T cell subset. OKT3 antibody induced IL 2 production and proliferation in OKT8+ cells in a typical time-dependent manner: maximal IL 2 levels were found in 24 hr culture supernatants; maximal proliferation was found on day 3. OKT3 antibody was mitogenic over a wide range of concentrations (0.125 to 500 ng/ml). The presence of OKT8 antibody (greater than or equal to 100 ng/ml) in these cultures resulted in almost complete inhibition of IL 2 production and proliferation. Kinetic studies demonstrate that OKT8 antibody suppresses both IL 2 production and response to exogenous IL 2 in OKT8+ cells when added within the first 2 hr of culture. After 14 to 20 hr of culture, addition of OKT8 only blocks IL 2 production but not the IL 2 response of activated OKT8+ cells. The specificity of inhibition by OKT8 antibody of OKT3 mitogenicity on OKT8+ cells was confirmed by the failure of Leu-I and OKT4 antibody to produce the same effect and by the lack of inhibition by OKT8 antibody of OKT3-induced IL 2 production and proliferation in OKT4+ cells.     

In-Silico modulation of Interleukin-8 (IL8) for the therapeutic management of endodontic pulpitis

Emerging clinical evidences highlight the association of Interleukin-8 (IL8) with endodontic pulpitis. Relatively higher expression of IL8 has been found in the pulp samples of pulpitis patients with moderate/severe pain. It is speculated that IL8 can be considered as a potential target for therapeutics of endodontic pulpitis. A library consisting of 3072 small molecules from the ZINC database was used to identify potential lead molecules with drug-like properties against the IL8. Based on the in-silico structure-assisted drug designing involving molecular docking, MD simulations, and MMPBSA analyses, we found a small molecule ZINC14613097 inhibits IL8. This study provides a new lead molecule than can be further validated in in-vitro, in-vivo, and ongoing clinical studies for the therapeutic management of endodontic pulpitis.     

HIV-related alterations in CD8 cell subsets defined by in vitro survival characteristics.

Previously we showed that over 50% of CD8 cells from HIV-infected persons do not survive in 3-day cultures of mononuclear cells; this loss occurred preferentially in subsets with phenotypes indicative of in vivo activation. In the studies reported here, we asked if cytokines enhanced CD8 cell survival. Of IL1, IL2, IL4, IL6, tumor necrosis factor, and interferon-gamma only IL2 specifically enhanced CD8 survival in the HIV group, compared to the control group. Further studies thus focused on characterizing CD8 cell survival in the presence of IL2. In both study groups, three subsets of CD8 cells were identified based on in vitro survival: (a) those surviving in culture medium alone (survivors), (b) those surviving only when IL2 was included in the culture medium (IL2-dependent survivors), and (c) those failing to survive even in the presence of IL2 (nonsurvivors). By dual-color cytofluorometry, the CD8 survivor subset was similar in the two study groups, and expressed nonactivated phenotypes (Leu8+, CD45RA+, HLA-DR-). The IL2-dependent survivor subset was also similar in the two study groups and expressed the phenotypes Leu8-, CD45RA+, CD57+, HLA-DR+, and CD38+, suggesting prior activation. The CD8 nonsurvivor subset, in contrast, was markedly different in the study groups: compared to the control group, the HIV group contained significantly higher proportions of CD8 cells expressing the phenotypes Leu8-, CD57+, and HLA-DR+, also suggesting activation. These findings indicate that, in HIV infection, the activated CD8 cell subsets that do not survive in medium alone consist of a "normal" component that requires IL2 for survival and an "abnormal" component that does not survive even in IL2.     

The RNA-editing Enzyme APOBEC1 Requires Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Q Isoform 6 for Efficient Interaction with Interleukin-8 mRNA

Apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide 1 (APOBEC1) is an intestine-specific RNA-binding protein. However, inflammation or exposure to DNA-damaging agents can induce ectopic APOBEC1 expression, which can result in hepatocellular hyperplasia in animal models. To identify its RNA targets, FLAG-tagged APOBEC1 was immunoprecipitated from transfected HuH7.5 hepatocellular carcinoma cells and analyzed using DNA microarrays. The interleukin-8 (IL8) mRNA was the most abundant co-precipitated RNA. Exogenous APOBEC1 expression increased IL8 production by extending the half-life of the IL8 mRNA. A cluster of AU-rich elements in the 3′-UTR of IL8 was essential to the APOBEC1-mediated increase in IL8 production. Notably, IL8 mRNA did not co-immunoprecipitate with APOBEC1 from lysates of other cell types at appreciable levels; therefore, other factors may enhance the association between APOBEC1 and IL8 mRNA in a cell type-specific manner. A yeast two-hybrid analysis and siRNA screen were used to identify proteins that enhance the interaction between APOBEC1 and IL8 mRNA. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein Q (hnRNPQ) was essential to the APOBEC1/IL8 mRNA association in HuH7.5 cells. Of the seven hnRNPQ isoforms, only hnRNPQ6 enabled APOBEC1 to bind to IL8 mRNA when overexpressed in HEK293 cells, which expressed the lowest level of endogenous hnRNPQ6 among the cell types examined. The results of a reporter assay using a luciferase gene fused to the IL8 3′-UTR were consistent with the hypothesis that hnRNPQ6 is required for APOBEC1-enhanced IL8 production. Collectively, these data indicate that hnRNPQ6 promotes the interaction of APOBEC1 with IL8 mRNA and the subsequent increase in IL8 production.     

Interleukin 8 in progression of hormone-dependent early breast cancer

The only way to perceive the real clinical course of disease and the prognostic significance of potential biomarkers is follow-up of patients who did not receive any kind of adjuvant therapy. Many studies have confirmed high levels of interleukin 8 (IL8) in HER2-enriched and basal-like (ER–) primary breast tumours, but less is known about the significance of IL8 in hormone-dependent breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of IL8 and clinicopathological parameters in hormone-dependent breast cancer, and to examine possible associations between them that might imply possible biological dependence. The study included 91 early-stage breast cancer patients with detectable levels of hormone receptors (ER>0, PR>0). None of the patients received adjuvant therapy according to valid protocol at that time. HER2 status was determined on paraffin-embedded tumour tissue sections by CISH. IL8 levels were determined by ELISA in cytosol tumour extracts of 65 patients with long-term follow-up (144 months). Nonparametric statistical tests were used for data analyses. Patients with low IL8 levels (M<88.8 pg/mg) had significantly longer relapse-free survival (RFS) compared to patients with high IL8 levels (M≥88.82 pg/mg) (Log rank test, p=0.002). Patients with ERhighIL8low phenotype had significantly longer RFS compared to those with ERhighIL8high and ERlowIL8high phenotypes (p=0.04 and p=0.02, respectively); patients with PRlowIL8low phenotype had significantly longer RFS compared to those with PRlowIL8high and PRhighIL8high phenotypes (p=0.003 and p=0.02, respectively); patients with HER2-IL8low phenotype had significantly longer RFS compared to those with HER2-IL8high and HER2+IL8high phenotypes (p=0.01 and p=0.02, respectively). Our results indicate significant contribution of IL8 on survival of hormone-dependent early-stage breast cancer patients and association with established parameters such as ER/PR and HER2.     

Glucosamine inhibits IL‐1β‐mediated IL‐8 production in prostate cancer cells by MAPK attenuation

Inflammation is a complex process involving cytokine production to regulate host defense cascades. In contrast to the therapeutic significance of acute inflammation, a pathogenic impact of chronic inflammation on cancer development has been proposed. Upregulation of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL‐1β and IL‐8, has been noted in prostate cancer patients and IL‐8 has been shown to promote prostate cancer cell proliferation and migration; however, it is not clear whether IL‐1β regulates IL‐8 expression in prostate cancer cells. Glucosamine is widely regarded as an anti‐inflammatory agent and thus we hypothesized that if IL‐1β activated IL‐8 production in prostate cancer cells, then glucosamine ought to blunt such an effect. Three prostate cancer cell lines, DU‐145, PC‐3, and LNCaP, were used to evaluate the effects of IL‐1β and glucosamine on IL‐8 expression using ELISA and RT‐PCR analyses. IL‐1β elevated IL‐8 mRNA expression and subsequent IL‐8 secretion. Glucosamine significantly inhibited IL‐1β‐induced IL‐8 secretion. IL‐8 appeared to induce LNCaP cell proliferation by MTT assay; involvement of IL‐8 in IL‐1β‐dependent PC‐3 cell migration was demonstrated by wound‐healing and transwell migration assays. Inhibitors of MAPKs and NFκB were used to pinpoint MAPKs but not NFκB being involved in IL‐1β‐mediated IL‐8 production. IL‐1β‐provoked phosphorylation of all MAPKs was notably suppressed by glucosamine. We suggest that IL‐1β can activate the MAPK pathways resulting in an induction of IL‐8 production, which promotes prostate cancer cell proliferation and migration. In this context, glucosamine appears to inhibit IL‐1β‐mediated activation of MAPKs and therefore reduces IL‐8 production; this, in turn, attenuates cell proliferation/migration. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 489–498, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Enhancement of the human antibody response by C8-substituted guanine ribonucleosides in synergy with interleukin 2

The antigen-specific primary antibody response of human lymphocytes in vitro was studied with respect to dependency upon the lymphokine interleukin 2 (IL 2) and its subsequent modulation by C8-substituted guanine ribonucleosides. The specific response to sheep erythrocytes was shown to be dependent on the presence of IL 2 in culture. However, addition of optimal concentrations of the nucleoside, 7-methyl-8-oxoguanosine (7m8oGuo), to cultures containing antigen and IL 2 resulted in marked amplification of the underlying antibody response. This synergistic effect between 7m8oGuo and IL 2 was antigen dependent and could not be accounted for by summation of the independent antigen-specific and nonspecific (polyclonal) components. That IL 2 itself was in fact responsible for both the specific response to antigen and the synergistic interaction with 7m8oGuo was confirmed in experiments with purified IL 2 produced by recombinant DNA technology. The response to antigen was enhanced by 7m8oGuo in a dose-dependent fashion. The results of kinetic studies demonstrated that this nucleoside is fully effective within the context of an ongoing immune response, because addition of 7m8oGuo could be delayed up to 3 days of the 6-day culture period without loss of subsequent immunoenhancement. Lymphocyte populations largely depleted of T cells were capable of mounting vigorous responses to antigen in the presence of 7m8oGuo so long as IL 2, either partially purified or purified recombinant material, was added to culture.     

IL‐8 promotes cell migration through regulating EMT by activating the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway in ovarian cancer

Interleukin‐8 (IL‐8), as an inflammatory chemokine, has been previously shown to contribute to tumorigenesis in several malignancies including the ovarian cancer. However, little is known about how IL‐8 promotes the metastasis and invasion of ovarian cancers cells. In this study, we found that IL‐8 and its receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 were up‐regulated in advanced ovarian serous cancer tissues. Furthermore, the level of IL‐8 and its receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 expression were associated with ovarian cancer stage, grade and lymph node metastasis. In vitro, IL‐8 promoted ovarian cancer cell migration, initiated the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) program and activated Wnt/β‐catenin signalling. However, when treated with Reparixin (inhibitor of both IL‐8 receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2), effect of both endogenous and exogenous IL‐8 was reversed. Together, our results indicated that IL‐8 triggered ovarian cancer cells migration partly through Wnt/β‐catenin pathway mediated EMT, and IL‐8 may be an important molecule in the invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer.     

Identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the bovine CCL2, IL8, CCR2 and IL8RA genes and their association with health and production in Canadian Holsteins

The aim of this study was to identify the presence of SNPs in the chemokine genes CCL2 and IL8 and the chemokine receptor genes IL8RA and CCR2, and assess their potential contribution to variation in estimated breeding values (EBVs) for somatic cell score (SCS) and four other traits in Canadian Holstein bulls. Pools of DNA for bulls with high (H) and low (L) EBVs for SCS were used for identification of 11 SNPs. Two unreported SNPs were found in the CCL2 gene and one SNP was found in the CCR2 gene. Previously reported SNPs (three in the IL8 gene and five in the IL8RA chemokine receptor) were also identified. Two SNPs in CCL2, three in IL8, one in IL8RA and one in CCR2 were genotyped in Canadian Holstein bulls (n = 338) using tetra primer ARMS-PCR. We investigated associations of these seven polymorphisms with three production traits (milk yield, fat yield and protein yield) and one conformation trait related to mastitis (udder depth). The allele substitution effect for the CCL2 rs41255713:T>C SNP was significant at an experimental-wise level for milk yield (247.5 +/- 79.9 kg) and protein yield (7.4 +/- 2.3 kg) EBVs (P T SNP on SCS was significant at the comparison-wise level (-0.04 +/- 0.02, P = 0.05), which might indicate a possible association in support of other published studies. Lastly, we assigned CCR2 to BTA22q24, where a previously QTL for SCS was identified.     

Interleukin 8 (monocyte-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor) dynamically regulates its own receptor expression on human neutrophils

The regulation of monocyte-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor (MDNCF)/interleukin 8 (IL 8) receptor expression by the MDNCF/IL 8 ligand was examined using freshly isolated human peripheral blood neutrophils. MDNCF/IL 8 down-regulated greater than 90% of its own receptor expression within 10 min at 37 degrees C. This down-regulation was associated with internalization of the ligand. The radiolabeled MDNCF/IL 8 molecules after internalization were proteolytically degraded, and trichloroacetic acid-soluble molecules were released into the culture medium starting at 60 min. Lysosomotropic agents could inhibit this degradation of ligand suggesting the involvement of lysosomal enzymes in this proteolytic digestion. MDNCF/IL 8 receptors reappeared on the cell surface within 10 min after removal of free ligands from the culture medium. Cycloheximide did not alter the reappearance of the receptor suggesting that de novo protein synthesis of MDNCF/Il 8 receptors is not involved in this event and that receptors probably recycled. The addition of lysosomotropic agents partially inhibited the reappearance/recycling of the receptors, although none of these agents inhibited the binding of ligand to the surface receptors or ligand internalization. Ammonium chloride reduced the MDNCF/IL 8-induced neutrophil chemotactic response in a dose-dependent fashion. These data suggest that MDNCF/IL 8 receptor expression is dynamically regulated by MDNCF/IL 8 and that the rapid recycling of MDNCF/IL 8 receptors may be essential for the chemotactic response of neutrophils.     

Unusual Haplotypic Structure of IL8, a Susceptibility Locus for a Common Respiratory Virus

Interleukin-8 (IL8) is believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of bronchiolitis, a common viral disease of infancy, and a recent U.K. family study identified an association between this disease and the IL8-251A allele. In the present study we report data, from a different set of families, which replicate this finding; combined analysis of 194 nuclear families through use of the transmission/disequilibrium test gives P = .001. To explore the underlying genetic cause, we identified nine single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a 7.6-kb segment spanning the IL8 gene and its promoter region and used six of these SNPs to define the haplotypic structure of the IL8 locus. The IL8-251A allele resides on two haplotypes, only one of which is associated with disease, suggesting that this may not be the functional allele. Europeans show an unusual haplotype genealogy that is dominated by two common haplotypes differing at multiple sites, whereas Africans have much greater haplotypic diversity. These marked haplotype-frequency differences give an F(ST) of.25, and, in the European sample, both Tajima's D statistic (D = 2.58, P = .007) and the Hudson/Kreitman/Aguade test (chi(2) = 4.9, P = .03) reject neutral equilibrium, suggesting that selective pressure may have acted on this locus.     

Duffy antigen receptor genetic variant and the association with Interleukin 8 levels

The aim of this study is to identify loci associated with circulating levels of Interleukin 8 (IL8). We investigated the associations of 121,445 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the Illumina 200 K CardioMetabochip with IL8 levels in 1077 controls from the Stockholm Heart Epidemiology Program (SHEEP) study, using linear regression under an additive model of inheritance.Five SNPs (rs12075A/G, rs13179413C/T, rs6907989T/A, rs9352745A/C, rs1779553T/C) reached the pre-defined threshold of genome-wide significance (p < 1.0 × 10⁻⁵) and were tested for in silico replication in three independent populations, derived from the PIVUS, MDC-CC and SCARF studies. IL8 was measured in serum (SHEEP, PIVUS) and plasma (MDC-CC, SCARF). The strongest association was found with the SNP rs12075 A/G, Asp42Gly (p = 1.6 × 10⁻⁶), mapping to the Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) gene on chromosome 1. The minor allele G was associated with 15.6% and 10.4% reduction in serum IL8 per copy of the allele in SHEEP and PIVUS studies respectively. No association was observed between rs12075 and plasma IL8.Conclusion: rs12075 was associated with serum levels but not with plasma levels of IL8. It is likely that serum IL8 represents the combination of levels of circulating plasma IL8 and additional chemokine liberated from the erythrocyte DARC reservoir due to clotting. These findings highlight the importance of understanding IL8 as a biomarker in cardiometabolic diseases.     

T cell-replacing activity of C8-derivatized guanine ribonucleosides

The capacity of the C8-substituted guanine ribonucleosides to provide T cell-like signals to cultures of splenic B cells was evaluated. We showed previously that these low m.w. nucleoside derivatives traverse the cell membrane and induce their effects from an intracellular location. The current studies clearly demonstrate that 8 mercaptoguanosine (8MGuo), when added to cultures of B cells and macrophages in the presence of antigen, is capable of supplying a "second signal" for B cells, enabling them to generate high numbers of specific plaque-forming cells against the immunizing antigen. This effect is duplicated in cultures of spleen cells from congenitally athymic mice. Inhibition of interleukin 2 (IL 2) generation by cyclosporin A, such that the antibody response of normal spleen cells is entirely abrogated, has minimal effects on the T cell-replacing activity of 8MGuo. Additivity studies with MLC supernatants as well as kinetic analyses with IL 2-associated lymphokines substantiate that these factors act by a mechanism distinct from that of 8MGuo and 8BrGuo. These observations establish these nucleoside activators as exciting new probes for T helper cell activity and an effective non-T cell source of T cell-like signals.