Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a potent pro-inflammatory molecule present in high amounts in psoriatic skin. Here it may play an important role in the keratinocyte hyperproliferation and the neutrophil and T-lymphocyte infiltration associated with the disease. In this study the effect of protein kinase C inhibitors on IL-8 production by human keratinocytes in vitro was investigated. The anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory compound auranofin ([1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranose-2,3,4,6-tetraacetato-S] [triethylphosphine] gold) is known to inhibit protein kinase C. In addition, auranofin has been shown to inhibit skin inflammation. As such, auranofin was also studied for its effect on IL-8 production. Auranofin and staurosporine, inhibitors of protein kinase C, inhibited phorbol-myristate-acetate-stimulated IL-8 production. Northern analysis of IL-8 mRNA revealed that the inhibition of IL-8 production was associated with an inhibition of IL-8 mRNA expression. In contrast, these compounds potentiated the minimal IL-8 protein and mRNA seen in response to interleukin-1 beta or tumor necrosis factor-alpha. These findings suggest that IL-8 synthesis may be either positively or negatively regulated by protein kinase C depending on the stimulus.