Human Galectin 2 is a soluble lactose-binding lectin that was initially cloned from a human hepatoma cDNA library. Galectin 2 was designated as L-14-II (LGALS2) and possesses a molecular weight of 14.65 kDa. The galectins are a family of animal lectins that possess similar carbohydrate binding specificities and conserved consensus sequences. The biological activities of mammalian galectins comprise regulation of inflammation, cell adhesion, cell proliferation, and cell death. Galectins are divided into three groups: prototype, tandem repeat a, and chimera type.? Galectin 2 belongs to the prototype group that includes Galectins 1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, and 15. The prototype galectins contain one carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) and can form homodimers. Gal-2 shares 43% amino acid sequence identity with Gal-1 and studies in rat tissues and human tumor cell lines has shown that Galectin 2 is expressed in gastrointestinal tract. Galectin-2 induces apoptosis of lamina propria T lymphocytes and ameliorates acute and chronic experimental colitis in mice. Also, Gal-2 and Gal-1 induce phosphatidylserine exposure in fMLP-activated human neutrophils, but not in resting neutrophils. Galectin-1, -2, and -3 exhibit differential recognition of sialylated glycans and ?Gal-2 and Gal-3 possesses higher binding than Gal-1 to fucose-containing A and B blood group antigens.