## **Core Concept**
Odontoblasts play a crucial role in the dental pulp's response to injury and infection. They can release various factors, including chemokines, which are involved in the recruitment of immune cells to the site of inflammation. The question focuses on identifying a specific chemokine released by odontoblasts that is chemotactic for neutrophils.

## **Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer, **C. CXCL8 (Interleukin-8)**, is a chemokine known for its potent chemotactic activity towards neutrophils. Odontoblasts can produce CXCL8 in response to bacterial products or other inflammatory stimuli. CXCL8 acts by binding to its receptors on the surface of neutrophils, guiding them to the site of inflammation. This process is crucial for the early response to infection and injury in dental pulp.

## **Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
- **Option A: CCL2 (Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1, MCP-1)** is primarily chemotactic for monocytes and macrophages, not neutrophils.
- **Option B: CXCL12 (Stromal Cell-Derived Factor 1, SDF-1)** is involved in the homing of stem cells and has a broader role in development and tissue repair rather than acute neutrophil recruitment.
- **Option D: TNF-α (Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha)** is a cytokine that can induce fever, inflammation, and is involved in systemic inflammation, but it is not chemotactic for neutrophils in the same direct way CXCL8 is.

## **Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key point to remember is that CXCL8 (IL-8) is a critical chemokine for neutrophil recruitment. In the context of dental pulp inflammation or infection, the ability of odontoblasts to produce CXCL8 is vital for initiating an immune response by attracting neutrophils to the site of infection.

## **Correct Answer: C. CXCL8 (Interleukin-8)**