Interleukin-8 associates with adhesion, migration, invasion and chemosensitivity of human gastric cancer cells

AIM: To investigate the relationship between Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and proliferation, adhesion, migration, invasion and chemosensitivity of gastric cancer (GC) cells. METHODS: The IL-8 cDNA was stably transfected into human GC cell line MKN-45 and selected IL-8-secreting transfectants. The expression of IL-8 in human GC cell line KATO-III was inhibited by RNA interference. The expressions of mRNA and protein of IL-8 in GC cells were detected by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The overexpression of IL-8 resulted in an increased cell adhesion, migration and invasion, and a significant resistance to oxaliplatin in MKN-45 cells. Inhibition of IL-8 expression with small interfering RNA decreased the adhesion, migration and invasion functions and oxaliplatin resistance in KATO-III cells. IL-8 increased NF-κB and Akt activities and adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and CD44 expression in GC cells. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of IL-8 promotes the adhesion, migration, invasion, and chemoresistance of GC cells, indicating that IL-8 is an important therapeutic target in GC.