Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin induces the release of IL-8 through a dual pathway via TrkA in A549 cells

► Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin induces the release of IL-8 from A549 cells. ► The toxin activates ERK1/2-NF−κB and p38 MAPK cascades via TrkA. ► The ERK1/2-NF−kB cascade participates in expression of IL-8 mRNA. ► The p38 cascade plays an important role in stabilization of IL-8 mRNA. ► TrkA is a therapeutic drug target of inflammation with alpha-toxin.