['Cigarette smoke extract (CSE) activates protein kinase C (PKC) and augments complement factor 5a (C5a)-stimulated release of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-8 in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC). We hypothesized that PKC activation by alternative PKC activators will also mediate C5a-stimulated IL-8 release in HBEC.', 'HBEC were treated with phorbol myristate acetate (100 ng/mL), calcium ionophore A23187 (2 nM), or 10 nM cholesterol-3-sulfate in the presence or absence of C5a. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) release was measured by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay.', 'IL-8 release by PKC activators alone was significantly higher than in unstimulated cells and was further augmented in the presence of C5a. Preincubation with the PKC inhibitor calphostin C (1 microM) significantly suppressed IL-8 release in HBEC treated with CSE and C5a. Preincubation with 10 microM TMB-8 (an intracellular calcium sequester) also significantly suppressed IL-8 release in CSE- and C5a-treated HBEC, suggesting that intracellular calcium is required for CSE- and C5a-mediated IL-8 release. When HBEC were preincubated with 30 nM of the PKCbeta-specific inhibitor LY363196, CSE- and C5a-mediated IL-8 release was not inhibited. However, with higher concentrations of LY363196 (>600 nM), which exceeds the IC50 for PKCbeta greater than 100 fold, CSE- and C5a-mediated IL-8 release was significantly suppressed. Preincubation of HBEC with 100 nM of Gö 6976, a specific PKCalpha inhibitor, significantly inhibited CSE- and C5a-mediated stimulation of IL-8 release.'] Does protein kinase C-alpha mediate cigarette smoke extract- and complement factor 5a-stimulated interleukin-8 release in human bronchial epithelial cells?