C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 messenger RNA (CXCL8 mRNA)

C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8) mRNA, also known as Interleukin-8 (IL-8) mRNA, is the transcript responsible for the production of one of the most potent chemoattractants for neutrophils (UniProt P10145). In response to inflammatory stimuli such as TNF-alpha or IL-1, various cell types including macrophages and endothelial cells transcribe CXCL8, leading to rapid neutrophil recruitment and activation (PubMed: 31554302). Overexpression of CXCL8 mRNA is a hallmark of numerous chronic inflammatory conditions, including COPD, cystic fibrosis, and psoriasis, and it plays a critical role in the tumor microenvironment by promoting angiogenesis and metastasis (PubMed: 25847238). Therapeutic strategies targeting the mRNA directly, such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), aim to silence the production of the CXCL8 protein at the source, offering a potentially more sustained anti-inflammatory effect compared to protein-neutralizing antibodies (OliX Pharmaceuticals). Clinical development in this area, such as the siRNA candidate OLX101A, focuses on localized delivery to minimize systemic side effects while effectively dampening the hyper-inflammatory response associated with high CXCL8 levels (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03423108).

Other names

Interleukin-8 mRNAIL-8 mRNACXCL8 transcriptNeutrophil-activating factor mRNAMonocyte-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor mRNA

RNA interference (RNAi) or antisense-mediated degradation of the CXCL8 transcript, leading to reduced translation and secretion of the pro-inflammatory Interleukin-8 protein (PubMed: 15634891).