alpha 2-Macroglobulin (alpha 2m) is a major plasma proteinase inhibitor, as well as a carrier and regulator of the function of many cytokines. IL-8 is a potent neutrophil attractant and activator, and it plays an important role in the pathogenesis of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The concentration of both IL-8 and alpha 2m is increased in lung fluids from patients with ARDS. Therefore, interaction of IL-8 with human alpha 2m was studied. Mixtures of native and methylamine-treated alpha 2m (fast alpha 2m) with 125I-labeled IL-8 were analyzed using nonreducing gel electrophoresis. 125I-labeled IL-8 exclusively bound to fast alpha 2m, and the binding could be inhibited by unlabeled IL-8. Analysis of the IL-8-alpha 2m interaction using SDS-PAGE gels indicated that the binding was mainly noncovalent. The affinity of the binding of alpha 2m to IL-8 was measured using an equilibrium dialysis technique, and Kd was 30 nM. Bioassays revealed that fast alpha 2m did not affect IL-8-induced neutrophil degranulation or chemotaxis. However, it protected IL-8 from proteolytic degradation. In addition, IL-8 complexed to alpha 2m was detected in lung fluids from patients with ARDS. alpha 2m may therefore modulate IL-8 function in the lung.