Expand All | Contract All


Menu Bottom Graphic

INTERLEUKIN 8 (IL-8)
GENE EXPRESSION

OVERVIEW EXPLANATION

The IL-8 protein is produced by various cell types, including tumour cells. The protein can be stimulated to act by a number of internal (immune triggers) and external (bacteria, viruses) signals; in turn, IL-8 then activates specific cells in the immune defence system. Hence, the assay for IL-8 quantities can provide information regarding the effective functioning of various immune elements. Elevated concentrations signify excessive Inflammation, as in arthritis, or the presence of an extant bacterial or viral infection, while low quantities indicate deficient immune activity. In cancer patients, high IL-8 quantities suggest a greater risk of tumour growth.

DETAILED EXPLANATION

IL-8 is a chemokine mainly produced by stimulated blood monocytes. In addition to mononuclear cells, IL-8 is produced by other leukocyte cell types (myeloid precursors, NK cells, neutrophils, eosinophils and Mast Cells), various tissue cells (fibroblasts, endothelial and epithelial cells) and tumour cells. The production of IL-8 can be induced by a variety of stimuli, such as Cytokines IL-1 and TNF-α, bacterial, viral products and plant products, etc. IL-8 activates the neurophils which are cells of the innate immunity. This assay is able to provide information relating to the activity of a number of immunological cells and their ability to effectively migrate to the sites of an infection. In addition, this assay is also designed to estimate the risk of tumour growth in the case of a cancer patient.

Increased quantities of IL-8 are associated with the presence of bacterial or viral infections, Inflammation and, through its angiogenic properties, the promotion of tumour growth. IL-8 facilitates the elimination of micro-Organisms by increasing the efficiency of the bacterial activity of the neutrophils. It enhances the growth-inhibitory activity of the neutrophils to candida albicans. IL-8 increases the intra-cellular calcium concentration in neutrophils and monocytes, and it is a chemo-attractant for B cells but selectively inhibits IL-4-induced IgE production and the growth of B cells. IL-8 also shows chemo-tactic activity for lymphocytes, basophils, eosinophils, neutrophils and fibroblasts, but not monocytes. High quantities of IL-8 are associated with the presence of bacterial or viral infections, Inflammation and, in the case of a tumour, the promotion of its growth due to the stimulation of the formation of new blood capillaries around a tumour. Low quantities of IL-8 are associated with insufficiently active neutrophils, monocytes and, possibly, cytotoxic macrophages.

APPLICATION

This assay will provide extremely valuable and accurate information relating to the following pathological condition :-

- Infections.
© Copyright Neuro-Lab 2011
All Rights Reserved

Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional Myo International Valid CSS!