Objective    To investigate the proliferation

migration and VEGF expression of rabbit peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) after the treatment of interleukin-8 (IL-8) at different concentrations.     Methods    Total mononuclear cells (MNCs)were isolated from rabbit peripheral blood by density gradient centrifugation

and then the cells were plated on fibronectin-coated culture dishes. After cultivation for 7 d

the attached cells were incubated with IL-8 in a series of concent

rations for 24 h. The proliferation and migration activities of EPCs were measured with MTT assay and modified Boyden chamber assay

and reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot analysis were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of CXCR2 and VEGF of EPCs.     Results    The proliferation

migration and CXCR2 and VEGF expressions of EPCs were regulated by IL-8

and enhanced with the increasing concentration of IL-8.     Conclusion    The IL-8/CXCR

2

axis can significantly promote the EPCs proliferation

migration

and VGEF expression.