Characterisation of Interleukin-8 and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Expression within the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and their Association with Mural Inflammation

ObjectivesAbdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are characterised by chronic transmural inflammation. This study investigated the expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) within the AAA, and their relationship with mural inflammation.MethodsBiopsies were obtained from 25 AAAs, 15 abdominal aortas, and 10 atherosclerotic thoracic aortas. IL-8 and MCP-1 expression was measured in homogenised specimens by ELISA. Infiltrate composition and localised expression of IL-8 and MCP-1 were determined through immunohistochemistry.ResultsELISA analysis demonstrated that IL-8 and MCP-1 were raised in the AAA compared to the controls [(IL-8, AAA vs. abdominal aorta: >28-fold, P < .001; AAA vs. thoracic aorta: >28-fold, P < .001) (MCP-1, AAA vs. abdominal aorta: 9-fold, P < .001; AAA vs. thoracic aorta: 19-fold, P < .001)]. Immunohistochemistry revealed that IL-8 was localised to the inflammatory infiltrate, which consisted predominantly of CD3+ T- and CD20+ B-lymphocytes. MCP-1 was predominantly expressed by CD68+ macrophages. Increasing IL-8 expression was associated with an increase in mural inflammation, and an increase in CD3+ T-lymphocytes of CD4+ phenotype within the infiltrate population.ConclusionPathways involving IL-8 and MCP-1 may be involved in AAA pathogenesis. IL-8 may be directly involved in the chemotaxis of TH-lymphocytes into the AAA wall.