Molecular characterization of a CXCL8-like protein from ayu and its effect on chemotaxis of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages

•We characterized a novel CXCL8 gene from ayu.•Tissue CXCL8 transcripts increased upon Listonella anguillarum infection.•Macrophages secreted more CXCL8 after Listonella anguillarum stimulation.•CXCL8 induced chemotaxis in neutrophils and macrophages.

CXCL8, a CXC-type chemokine, plays a crucial role in acute inflammation by recruiting and mediating neutrophils and other cells. In this study, the cDNA and genomic DNA sequence of a CXCL8-like protein (PaCXCL8l) from ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) was determined. Sequence analysis showed that PaCXCL8l represented the typical structure of animal CXCL8s. Phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that PaCXCL8l was closest to CXCL8 of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Constitutive expression of PaCXCL8l was detected in all tested tissues and monocytes/macrophages, and its expression dramatically increased upon Listonella anguillarum infection. In vitro, recombinant PaCXCL8l exhibited a significant chemotactic effect on neutrophils at 0.1 μg/ml and on monocytes/macrophages at 1.0 μg/ml. In vivo, the numbers of peritoneal neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages were both up-regulated following intraperitoneal administration of recombinant PaCXCL8l. These results suggest that PaCXCL8l is crucially involved in the immune response of ayu by mediating chemotaxis of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages.