Eotaxin 2 is a member of the CC chemokine family, based on the presence of the CC motif and homology with other known CC chemokines. Eotaxin 2 cDNA encodes a 119 amino acid residue precursor protein with a 26 amino acid residue signal peptide that is cleaved to generate a mature protein predicted to contain 93 amino acid residues with an N glycosylation site. Mature human eotaxin 2 has a predicted molecular mass of approximately 10.6 kDa. Compared to other CC chemokines, eotaxin 2 exhibits 40 %, 42 %, and 39 % amino acid identity to MCP3, MIP1 alpha, and eotaxin, respectively. Human CC chemokine eotaxin 2 maps to chromosome 7q11.23. Both eotaxin and eotaxin 2 activate and attract eosinophils and basophils. A receptor for human eotaxin has been identified and found to be the third numbered receptor in the C-C chemokine subfamily of receptors (CCR3. On eosinophils, the effects of eotaxin 2 is inhibited by an CCR3 antibody and cross-desensitized by eotaxin and MCP4, suggesting that all three CC chemokines act through CCR3. Eotaxin 2 mRNA is weakly expressed in activated monocytes and T lymphocytes. Recombinant eotaxin 2 induces chemotaxis of eosinophils, basophils, and resting T lymphocytes but not monocytes and activated T lymphocytes. Eotaxin 2 inhibits colony formation in myleloid progenitor cells.

Secreted