The effects of interleukin-8 on airway smooth muscle contraction in cystic fibrosis
2008

How IL-8 Affects Airway Muscle in Cystic Fibrosis

Sample size: 76 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Govindaraju Vasanthi, Michoud Marie-Claire, Ferraro Pasquale, Arkinson Janine, Safka Katherine, Valderrama-Carvajal Hector, Martin James G

Primary Institution: McGill University

Hypothesis

IL-8 may evoke different contractile responses of airway smooth muscle cells in cystic fibrosis patients compared to non-CF individuals.

Conclusion

Airway smooth muscle cells from cystic fibrosis patients are more contractile in response to IL-8 than those from non-CF individuals.

Supporting Evidence

  • IL-8 induced a peak calcium release that was higher in control than in CF cells.
  • IL-8 exposure resulted in greater phosphorylation of myosin light chain in CF than in control cells.
  • The expression of IL-8 receptors was comparable in both CF and non-CF cells.

Takeaway

This study found that the muscle cells in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients squeeze more tightly when exposed to a substance called IL-8 compared to healthy individuals.

Methodology

The study involved cultured airway smooth muscle cells from cystic fibrosis and control subjects, measuring their response to IL-8 in terms of calcium concentration, contraction, migration, and proliferation.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in cell selection and experimental conditions.

Limitations

The study did not explore the long-term effects of IL-8 exposure on airway smooth muscle cells.

Participant Demographics

Subjects included individuals with cystic fibrosis and non-CF control subjects.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1465-9921-9-76

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication