Impact of IL8 on Cell Proliferation and Tissue Healing of Airway Smooth Muscle
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Sarah Wicher, College of Idaho
Presentation Date
7-16-2026
Abstract
Chronic inflammatory airway diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma alter the structure and responsiveness of airway smooth muscle cells (ASM), which results in changes in the function of the lungs. In addition, lung function declines as people age, lung elasticity and strength is lost and lung tissue becomes stiffened. Interleukin 8 (IL8), a chemokine, that elevates in elderly ( >65 years old) in comparison to younger individuals (< 45 years old)in their lung tissue. Elevated levels of IL8 are found in various chronic lung diseases such as asthma, COPD and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. To better understand the effect of IL8 on cell proliferation and tissue remodeling we will perform a proliferation assay (KI67) and wound healing assay. Cell proliferation shows how lung cells are dividing in response to IL8 exposure at different concentrations (50ng/mL and 100ng/mL), by staining KI67, a protein expressed on replicating chromosomes. To measure the impact of IL8 on ASM migration we performed a wound healing assay, whereby the ASM cells were scratched using a pipette tip. Following the wounding, the cells were imaged under a microscope at 0, 10, 24 and 48 hours. Based on our experimental results, proliferation of lung tissues have shown an increase in 50 ng/mL. Whereas in the wound healing assay lung tissues migrated which demonstrated that the wound healed while being treated with IL8.
Impact of IL8 on Cell Proliferation and Tissue Healing of Airway Smooth Muscle
Chronic inflammatory airway diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma alter the structure and responsiveness of airway smooth muscle cells (ASM), which results in changes in the function of the lungs. In addition, lung function declines as people age, lung elasticity and strength is lost and lung tissue becomes stiffened. Interleukin 8 (IL8), a chemokine, that elevates in elderly ( >65 years old) in comparison to younger individuals (< 45 years old)in their lung tissue. Elevated levels of IL8 are found in various chronic lung diseases such as asthma, COPD and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. To better understand the effect of IL8 on cell proliferation and tissue remodeling we will perform a proliferation assay (KI67) and wound healing assay. Cell proliferation shows how lung cells are dividing in response to IL8 exposure at different concentrations (50ng/mL and 100ng/mL), by staining KI67, a protein expressed on replicating chromosomes. To measure the impact of IL8 on ASM migration we performed a wound healing assay, whereby the ASM cells were scratched using a pipette tip. Following the wounding, the cells were imaged under a microscope at 0, 10, 24 and 48 hours. Based on our experimental results, proliferation of lung tissues have shown an increase in 50 ng/mL. Whereas in the wound healing assay lung tissues migrated which demonstrated that the wound healed while being treated with IL8.