Human CXCL2 Protein

Chemokine Ligand 2 (CXCL2) is a small secreted cytokine which belongs to the CXC chemokine family. It is secreted by monocytes and macrophages and chemotactic for polymorphonuclear leukocytes and hematopoietic stem cells. CXCL2 mobilizes cells by interacting with a cell surface chemokine receptor called CXCR2. It has been known to regulate immune functions mainly by chemo-attracting neutrophils. It is produced by activated monocytes and neutrophils and expressed at sites of inflammation. It is a hematoregulatory chemokine, which suppresses hematopoietic progenitor cell proliferation. It can be induced by receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand, the osteoclast (OC) differentiation factor, through JNK and NF-kappaB signaling pathways in OC precursor cells. CXCL2 in turn enhanced the proliferation of OC precursor cells of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) through the activation of ERK. Knockdown of CXCL2 inhibited both the proliferation of and the ERK activation in BMMs. During osteoclastogenesis CXCL2 stimulated the adhesion and the migration of BMMs. CXCL2 is a novel therapeutic target for inflammatory bone destructive diseases.