15 research outputs found
From the periphery to the brain: Lipocalin-2, a friend or foe?
Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is an acute-phase protein that, by binding to iron-loaded siderophores, acts as a
potent bacteriostatic agent in the iron-depletion strategy of the immune system to control pathogens.
The recent identification of a mammalian siderophore also suggests a physiological role for LCN2 in iron
homeostasis, specifically in iron delivery to cells via a transferrin-independent mechanism. LCN2
participates, as well, in a variety of cellular processes, including cell proliferation, cell differentiation and
apoptosis, and has been mostly found up-regulated in various tissues and under inflammatory states,
being its expression regulated by several inducers.
In the central nervous system less is known about the processes involving LCN2, namely by which
cells it is produced/secreted, and its impact on cell proliferation and death, or in neuronal plasticity and
behaviour. Importantly, LCN2 recently emerged as a potential clinical biomarker in multiple sclerosis
and in ageing-related cognitive decline. Still, there are conflicting views on the role of LCN2 in
pathophysiological processes, with some studies pointing to its neurodeleterious effects, while others
indicate neuroprotection. Herein, these various perspectives are reviewed and a comprehensive and
cohesive view of the general function of LCN2, particularly in the brain, is provided.Ana Catarina Ferreira and Sandro Da Mesquita are recipients of
PhD fellowships by the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT,
Portugal)/FEDER. Fernanda Marques is an assistant researcher IF/
00231/2013 of the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT,
Portugal). This work was supported by Fundação para a Ciência e
Tecnologia (FCT) and COMPETE through the project: EXPL/NEUOSD/2196/2013
(to Marques F). The authors thank Nadine Santos
for the helpful comments on the manuscript