Lipocalin-2: Structure, function, distribution and role in metabolic disorders

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112002Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Lipocalin-2 (LCN-2) is distributed in many tissues including the lung, heart and kidney.

  • LCN-2 is capable of destroying the extracellular matrix.

  • It has antibacterial effect.

  • It is upregulated by the NF-κB, ERK and JAK-STAT signaling pathways.

  • LCN-2 is a biomarker of renal acute and chronic injury.

Abstract

Lipocalin-2 (LCN-2) is a novel, 198 amino acid adipocytokine also referred to as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). LCN-2 is a circulatory protein responsible for the transportation of small and hydrophobic molecules (steroid, free fatty acids, prostaglandins and hormones) to target organs after binding to megalin/glycoprotein and GP330 SLC22A17 or 24p3R LCN-2 receptors. LCN-2 has been used as a biomarker for acute and chronic renal injury. It is present in a large variety of cells including neutrophil, hepatocytes, lung, bone marrow, adipose tissue, macrophages, thymus, non-neoplastic breast duct, prostate, and renal cells. Different functions have been associated with LCN-2. These functions include antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and protection against cell and tissue stress. Moreover, LCN-2 can increase the pool of matrix metalloproteinase 9 in human neutrophil granulocytes. Other reported functions of LCN-2 include its ability to destroy the extracellular matrix, which could enable cancer progression and spread of metastasis. Recent reports show that the tissue level of LCN-2 is increased in metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, suggesting an association between LCN-2 and insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis. The precise role of LCN-2 in the modulation of insulin sensitivity, glucose and lipid metabolism is still unclear. This review explores the structure of LCN-2, tissue distribution, and its interaction with important metabolic pathways.

Keywords

Lipocalin-2
Inflammation
Metabolic disorders
Biomarkers of diseases

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