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 neu trophils in host defense: chemotaxis, degranulation and enzyme release , and superoxide production. Interleukin-8 is most potent as a chemoat tractant, so chemotaxis is likely the most important of these function s. The effects of interleukin-8 on neutrophils are mediated through tw o receptors, IL-8RA and IL-8RB. To investigate the role of these recep tors in neutrophil chemotaxis, we produced inhibitory antibodies to IL -8RA. These antibodies inhibit neutrophil chemotaxis toward IL-8 in vi tro. 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. (C) 1996 Acad emic Press, Inc.