AMY109, an interleukin-8 antibody, as a potential target for endometriosis treatment: a commentary

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a proinflammatory cytokine released during infections, inflammation, and tissue damage. Acting as a potent chemoattractant, IL-8 attracts inflammatory cells such as neutrophils and macrophages to sites of injury. Furthermore, IL-8 is often produced and released by a plethora of cells including neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, endothelial, and epithelial cells. In addition to being proinflammatory, IL-8 is also a proangiogenic factor that promotes migration and growth of endothelial cells through matrix metalloproteinase production and the inhibition of endothelial cell apoptosis, which facilitates wound and tissue repair.