IL8
Interleukin 8
Gene Number: 3576
Location: 4q13.3
Key Functions: Chemotaxis, inflammation, neutrophil recruitment, immune signaling
IL8, also known as CXCL8, produces interleukin-8, a signaling protein that attracts neutrophils to sites of infection and tissue damage. Neutrophils are immune cells that help fight invading microbes and contribute to inflammation [R]. The rs4073 variant sits in the gene’s promoter region. Researchers have studied how it relates to IL-8 production and respiratory conditions, including pulmonary fibrosis and RSV bronchiolitis [R].
This free report explains your AA, AT or TT genotype and the findings behind it. Explore IL10 and the control of inflammation for another part of immune regulation.
SNP ID | Your Genotype | Alt Allele | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
rs4073 | Analyze your DNA to see your genotype | T | Analyze your DNA to see a personalized result. |
rs4073
AA – Researchers measured lower IL-8 levels in lung fluid from AA patients than from TT patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (R).
AT – One A and one T allele. The study did not establish a clear intermediate IL-8 level for this genotype (R).
TT – TT patients had higher IL-8 levels in lung fluid, and laboratory experiments found greater promoter activity with the T allele (R).
Functional effect: rs4073 lies in a regulatory region involved in controlling IL-8 production. The measured effect depends on the cells, stimulus and surrounding genetic variants.
What Have Studies Found?
A Korean study involving 237 pulmonary-fibrosis patients and 456 controls reported approximately 54% lower odds of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis for AA compared with AT/TT combined (R).
In UK families, however, the A allele was more frequently transmitted to infants hospitalized with RSV bronchiolitis. Follow-up research linked this finding to a particular combination of nearby variants, rather than the A allele alone (R, R).
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