In Holstein cows at drying-off, intramammary infusions of recombinant bovine interleukin-8 (IL-8) elicit systemic inflammatory reactions that are similar to the reactions observed in the acute phase of coliform mastitis. This suggests that IL-8 induced in the mammary gland during mastitis may be involved in the induction of systemic inflammation in addition to the local inflammatory reactions.
(Research Team for Environmental/Enzootic Diseases, Hokkaido Research Station, TEL +81-29-838-7708)
Reference:
Watanabe, J., et al. (2008) Can. J. Vet. Res. 72: 291-296.