Antibodies against the N-terminus of IL-8 receptor A inhibit neutrophil chemotaxis.

Neutrophil migration and activation are the cornerstones of the acute inflammatory response. Interleukin-8 triggers several functions of neutrophils in host defense: chemotaxis, degranulation and enzyme release, and superoxide production. Interleukin-8 is most potent as a chemoattractant, so chemotaxis is likely the most important of these functions. The effects of interleukin-8 on neutrophils are mediated through two receptors, IL-8RA and IL-8RB. To investigate the role of these receptors in neutrophil chemotaxis, we produced inhibitory antibodies to IL-8RA. These antibodies inhibit neutrophil chemotaxis toward IL-8 in vitro. These findings show that IL-8RA mediates a chemotactic signal in neutrophils and suggest that an anti-receptor strategy may be a useful approach to limit neutrophil migration in inflammation.