Effect of Interleukin-8 on Airway Smooth Muscle Cells' Intracellular Calcium Release
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Sarah Wicher, College of Idaho
Presentation Date
7-16-2026
Abstract
Lung health is a key determinant of quality of life; a small decrease in lung function greatly reduces a person’s capacity to perform daily activities, and upkeep physical and mental wellbeing. Levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) increase in the lungs as a factor of age; however, this study seeks to explore how IL-8 effects the structure and function of ASM cells independent of aging. Airway smooth muscle (ASM) contraction and airway tone is mediated by an increase in intracellular calcium. Understanding the role of IL-8 in ASM cell’s Ca^2+ release is integral to developing therapies for conditions characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness such as asthma, apart from age alone. To measure the impact of intracellular calcium in ASM we treated the cells with either 50 or 100 ng/mL IL-8 for 48hrs. We performed live cell calcium imaging on ASM cells stained with Fura-2 AM to measure intracellular calcium release after the introduction of histamine at 10µM. Our data show that IL-8 does not change baseline intracellular calcium, however after the introduction of histamine intracellular calcium release decreased at a concentration of 50ng/mL and increased slightly at a concentration of 100ng/mL. Our findings suggest that higher levels of IL8 are associated with lower calcium responses, highlighting that treatments targeted at increased IL-8 levels may be vital to combating conditions primarily effecting the function and structure lungs and airways.
Effect of Interleukin-8 on Airway Smooth Muscle Cells' Intracellular Calcium Release
Lung health is a key determinant of quality of life; a small decrease in lung function greatly reduces a person’s capacity to perform daily activities, and upkeep physical and mental wellbeing. Levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) increase in the lungs as a factor of age; however, this study seeks to explore how IL-8 effects the structure and function of ASM cells independent of aging. Airway smooth muscle (ASM) contraction and airway tone is mediated by an increase in intracellular calcium. Understanding the role of IL-8 in ASM cell’s Ca^2+ release is integral to developing therapies for conditions characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness such as asthma, apart from age alone. To measure the impact of intracellular calcium in ASM we treated the cells with either 50 or 100 ng/mL IL-8 for 48hrs. We performed live cell calcium imaging on ASM cells stained with Fura-2 AM to measure intracellular calcium release after the introduction of histamine at 10µM. Our data show that IL-8 does not change baseline intracellular calcium, however after the introduction of histamine intracellular calcium release decreased at a concentration of 50ng/mL and increased slightly at a concentration of 100ng/mL. Our findings suggest that higher levels of IL8 are associated with lower calcium responses, highlighting that treatments targeted at increased IL-8 levels may be vital to combating conditions primarily effecting the function and structure lungs and airways.