HARA-B cells were established from the bone lesion in nude mice formed afte
r an intracardiac inoculation of the human lung cancer-derived cells (HARA)
, and production of IL-8 in HARA-B cells was decreased as compared to that
in the parental HARA cells. This suggests a possible relationship between I
L-8 production and bone metastasis. Thus, we examined the effect of IL-8 on
bone metastasis using HARA-B cells transfected with experimental (IL-8-cDN
A) and/or control plasmid in the experimental bone metastasis model in nude
mice. Growth rates of both cells in vitro were similar. Control cells deve
loped radiologically detectable bone metastases in 50% of nude mice tested,
whereas experimental cells did not develop bone metastases. Osteoclastic b
one resorption is an important step in the process of bone metastasis, and
IL-8 possesses an inhibitory effect on osteoclastic bone resorption. These
results suggest that IL-8 suppresses bone metastasis, which might be attrib
uted to the inhibitory effect of IL-8 on osteoclastic bone resorption.