The immunological function of CXCR2 in the liver during sepsis

BACKGROUND: The chemokine receptor CXCR2 and its ligands, especially CXCL8, are crucial mediators for the progression of liver inflammation and liver failure in sepsis. Neutrophils have the highest CXCR2 expression in mice and humans, and their activation via CXCL8 facilitates their migration to the inflamed liver for the clearance of the pathogens and, in turn, the inflammation. MAIN BODY: In sepsis, the inflammatory insult causes extensive neutrophil migration to the liver that overwhelms the immune response. To compensate for the strong receptor activation, CXCR2 desensitizes, incapacitating the immune cells to efficiently clear pathogens, causing further life-threatening liver damage and uncontrolled pathogen spread. CONCLUSION: CXCR2 function during infection strongly depends on the expressing cell type. It signals pro- and anti-inflammatory effects that may prompt novel cell-type-specific CXCR2-directed therapeutics. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12950-022-00321-y.