Lipocalin-2 (LCN2), also known as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), is a 25-kDa secretory glycoprotein belonging to the lipocalin superfamily. It plays diverse roles in innate immunity, iron transport, inflammation, and cellular homeostasis. Initially identified in activated neutrophils, LCN2 is upregulated in response to bacterial infections, tissue injury, and various pathological conditions, including acute kidney injury, cancer, and metabolic disorders. Its ability to sequester bacterial siderophores links it to antimicrobial defense, while its interaction with iron-metabolizing proteins influences cellular iron homeostasis.
Anti-Lipocalin-2 antibodies are essential tools for studying its biological functions and clinical applications. These antibodies enable the detection and quantification of LCN2 in biological samples (e.g., serum, urine) via techniques like ELISA, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. In research, they help elucidate LCN2's dual role in promoting or suppressing disease progression, depending on context—for example, its pro-tumorigenic effects in certain cancers versus its protective role in metabolic inflammation. Clinically, LCN2 is explored as a biomarker for early kidney injury diagnosis, sepsis monitoring, and cancer prognosis. Antibodies are also investigated for therapeutic potential, such as blocking LCN2-mediated pathways in inflammatory or oncologic therapies. Challenges include ensuring antibody specificity due to structural similarities among lipocalins and optimizing cross-reactivity across species in preclinical models.