Activated macrophages are classified into two different forms: classically activated (M1) or alternatively activated (M2) macrophages. The presence of M1/M2 phenotypic polarization has also been suggested for microglia. Here, we report that the secreted protein lipocalin 2 (LCN2) amplifies M1 polarization of activated microglia. LCN2 protein (EC 1 μg/ml), but not glutathione S-transferase used ...

Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) is a member of lipocalin family that binds and transports a small lipophilic ligand, sharing a highly conserved tertiary structure and can be found as a monomer, homodimer, heterodimer with matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9). The high molecule LCN2/MMP9 complex was found in several cancer types. Yet, the mechanisms of regulation between LCN2 with MMP9 in tumorigenesis is uncle...

BACKGROUND Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is the lethal phenotype of prostate cancer. Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) is aberrantly expressed in many cancers including primary prostate cancer (PCa), but its role in CRPC has not been reported. RESULTS LCN2 expression was upregulated in human primary PCa and CRPC tissues. Overexpression of LCN2 promoted C4-2B and 22RV1 cell proliferation while ...

OBJECTIVES Lipocalin 2 (Lcn2) is a 25-kDa glycoprotein that has initially been extracted from neutrophil granules. Expression of Lcn2 is induced under various pathophysiological conditions. It is also known as an early marker of kidney and heart injury. High-level expression of recombinant Lcn2 neutrophil gelatinase-associated (NGAL) in insect cells was the aim of this study. MATERIALS AND ME...

Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is an acute-phase protein induced by injury, infection, or other inflammatory stimuli. LCN2 binds small hydrophobic ligands and interacts with cell surface receptor to regulate diverse cellular processes. The role of LCN2 as a chemokine inducer in the central nervous system (CNS) has been previously reported. Based on the previous participation of LCN2 in neuroinflammation, w...

From previous cDNA subtraction studies analyzing gene expression in equine endometrium, high lipocalin 2 (LCN2) mRNA expression was found in the gravid endometrium. In the uterus, LCN2 may transport hydrophobic molecules and siderophores with iron, or may form a complex with another protein, however, the expression of uterine LCN2 beyond day 20 of equine pregnancy and its receptor has not been ...

Tumour cell-secreted factors skew infiltrating immune cells towards a tumour-supporting phenotype, expressing pro-tumourigenic mediators. However, the influence of lipocalin-2 (Lcn2) on the metastatic cascade in the tumour micro-environment is still not clearly defined. Here, we explored the role of stroma-derived, especially macrophage-released, Lcn2 in breast cancer progression. Knockdown stu...

Astrocytes, the most abundant glial cell type in the brain, provide metabolic and trophic support to neurons and modulate synaptic activity. In response to a brain injury, astrocytes proliferate and become hypertrophic with an increased expression of intermediate filament proteins. This process is collectively referred to as reactive astrocytosis. Lipocalin 2 (lcn2) is a member of the lipocalin...

Based largely on studies in xenograft models, lipocalin-2 (Lcn2) has been implicated in the progression of multiple types of human tumors, including breast cancer. Here we examine the role of Lcn2 in mammary tumorigenesis and lung metastasis using an in vivo molecular genetics approach. We crossed a well-characterized transgenic mouse model of breast cancer, the MMTV-PyMT (mouse mammary tumor v...

Mycobacterium tuberculosis invades alveolar epithelial cells as well as macrophages. However, the role of alveolar epithelial cells in the host defense against M. tuberculosis remains unknown. In this study, we report that lipocalin 2 (Lcn2)-dependent inhibition of mycobacterial growth within epithelial cells is required for anti-mycobacterial innate immune responses. Lcn2 is secreted into the ...