【Objective】 Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are multifunctional adult stem cells

which can be homing to tumors

play an important role in the tumor development and metastasis. However

how MSC home to renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains unclear. 【Methods】 The secretion of IL-8 from renal cancer patient and renal cancer cells was examined by ELISA method. The expression of IL-8 receptor was tested by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry staining. The migration of MSC stimulated by IL-8 was detected by Migration assay. The phosphorylation of ERK by IL-8 in MSC was detected by Western blotting. 【Results】 It was found that IL-8 was significantly increased in RCC patients. RCC cell lines 786-O and ACHN cells could secrete high levels of IL-8 respectively. IL-8 CXCR2 receptor was highly expressed in MSC cells

the secretion of IL-8 by RCC cells could promote MSC migration through CXCR2. Further study demonstrated that IL-8 stimulation could significantly up regulated the phosphorylation of ERK via CXCR2. 【Conclusion】 RCC cells could secrete IL-8

which could promote MSC migration through CXCR2 by the activation of ERK signaling pathway. This may be one of the important mechanisms of the MSC homing to RCC tissues.