Short paper Directed neutrophil migration to IL-8 is increased in cystic fibrosis: a study of the eVect of erythromycin

Background—The aim of this study was to compare neutrophil migration in cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF populations and to investigate the eVect of erythromycin on directed migration of neutrophils (PMNs) in CF. Methods—PMNs were isolated and their migratory capacity in response to interleukin-8 (IL-8) or f-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) in the presence or absence of erythromycin (1–100 μg/ml) was assessed. Results—CF derived PMNs showed significantly increased migration to IL-8 but not to fMLP compared with non-CF PMNs. Erythromycin had no significant eVect on migration responses to IL-8 and in vitro exposure of PMNs to erythromycin had no eVect. Conclusions—CF derived PMNs show higher migratory responsiveness to IL-8 but not to fMLP, suggesting that CF PMNs may be “primed” to IL-8 which is significantly increased in CF serum compared with non-CF serum. Treatment with erythromycin had no significant eVect on PMN migration in vitro. (Thorax 2001;56:62–64)