Autocrine growth effect of IL-8 and GRO alpha on a human pancreatic cancercell line, Capan-1

A human pancreatic cancer cell line, Capan-1, secretes the chemokines inter leukin-8 (IL-8) and growth-related oncogene alpha (GRO alpha). Capan-1 cell s also express the chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2), which is a Gi alpha-protei n coupled receptor. Growth of Capan-1 cells was inhibited when anti-IL-8 or anti-GRO alpha monoclonal antibody was added into the culture medium. Pert ussis toxin, which blocks Gi alpha. also demonstrated a growth-inhibitory e ffect on Capan-1 cells. These results indicated that IL-8 and GR alpha act on Capan-1 cells as growth factors in an autocrine manner through CXCR2.