C-X-C motif chemokine 2 (CXCL2,MIP-2) belongs to the intercrine alpha (chemokine CxC) family. It was originally identified as a heparin-binding protein secreted from a murine macrophage cell line in response to endotoxin stimulation. The expression of mouse MIP-2 is stimulated by endotoxin. The mouse MIP-2 shares approximately 63% aa sequence identity with murine KC, another mouse alpha chemokine, which is induced by PDGF. It has been suggested that mouse KC and MIP-2 are the homologs of the human GROs and rat CINCs. Chemotactic for human polymorphonuclear leukocytes but does not induce chemokinesis or an oxidative burst. The expression of MIP-2 was found to be associated with neutrophil influx in pulmonary inflammation and glomerulonephritis, suggesting that MIP-2 may contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases.
