CXCL8 and wet macular degeneration: Stimulation of P2X7 also activates p38, which induces secretion of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin 8 (IL-8), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); IL-8 and VEGF promote angiogenesis leading to choroidal neovascularization, a hallmark of wet AMD (Fowler et al., 2014).