CXC chemokines interleukin-8 (IL-8) and growth-related gene product alpha (GRO alpha) modulate Purkinje neuron activity in mouse cerebellum

We give here evidence that Purkinje neurons (PNs) of mouse cerebellar slice s studied with patch clamp technique combined with laser confocal microscop y, respond to human IL-8 and GRO alpha by (i) a cytosolic Ca2+ transient co mpatible with inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate (InsP(3)) formation; (ii) an e nhancement of the neurotransmitter release; and (iii) an impairment of the long-term depression of synaptic strength (LTD). It was also found the expr ession of IL-8 receptor type 2 in PN and granule cells by immunofluorescenc e, immunoblotting and RT-PCR analysis. Considered together these findings s uggest that IL-8 and GRO alpha may play a neuromodulatory role on mouse cer ebellum. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.