Pro-inflammatory functions of carp CXCL8-like and CXCb chemokines

► CXCa_L1 and CXCL8_L2 are functional homologs of mammalian CXCL8 while CXCb is functional homolog of CXCL9-11. ► Carp CXCa_L1 and CXCL8_L2, but not CXCb stimulate phagocyte activation. ► CXCa_L1 and CXCL_L2, but not CXCb, induce strong neutrophil recruitment in vivo. ► Recombinant CXCa_L1 triggers intracellular calcium mobilization in granulocytes.