Lipocalin-2 (LCN2), also known as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), is a 25 kDa glycoprotein belonging to the lipocalin family. It plays multifaceted roles in innate immunity, iron homeostasis, and cellular processes such as apoptosis and inflammation. LCN2 is upregulated in response to bacterial infection, oxidative stress, and tissue injury, where it binds bacterial siderophores to limit iron acquisition by pathogens. Dysregulated LCN2 expression is implicated in various pathologies, including cancer, metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and chronic kidney disease, making it a potential biomarker and therapeutic target.
LCN2 antibodies are essential tools for detecting and quantifying this protein in research and diagnostics. They enable investigations into LCN2's mechanistic roles in disease progression, such as its involvement in promoting tumor metastasis, modulating inflammation, or exacerbating insulin resistance. Commercially available antibodies target specific epitopes of human, mouse, or rat LCN2. with applications in Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and flow cytometry. Recent studies also explore therapeutic anti-LCN2 antibodies to neutralize its pathogenic effects in preclinical models. However, cross-reactivity and species specificity require careful validation due to LCN2's structural conservation across mammals. These antibodies continue to advance understanding of LCN2's dual protective and detrimental roles in human health.