4.7 Review

Biological Functions and Therapeutic Potential of Lipocalin 2 in Cancer

Journal

Publisher

MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124365

Keywords

lipocalin 2; NGAL; siderophore; LCN2-MMP-9; cancer; oncogene

Funding

  1. RCMI grant (National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities) [U54 MD007600]
  2. UPR/MDACC Partnership for Excellence in Cancer Research Grant [U54 CA096297]
  3. NIGMS-RISE (National Institute of General Medical Sciences-Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement) Program [R25-GM061838]
  4. National Cancer Institute (NCI) [R01CA223204]

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Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is a secreted glycoprotein linked to several physiological roles, including transporting hydrophobic ligands across cell membranes, modulating immune responses, maintaining iron homeostasis, and promoting epithelial cell differentiation. Although LNC2 is expressed at low levels in most human tissues, it is abundant in aggressive subtypes of cancer, including breast, pancreas, thyroid, ovarian, colon, and bile duct cancers. High levels of LCN2 have been associated with increased cell proliferation, angiogenesis, cell invasion, and metastasis. Moreover, LCN2 modulates the degradation, allosteric events, and enzymatic activity of matrix metalloprotease-9, a metalloprotease that promotes tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Hence, LCN2 has emerged as a potential therapeutic target against many cancer types. This review summarizes the most relevant findings regarding the expression, biological roles, and regulation of LCN2, as well as the proteins LCN2 interacts with in cancer. We also discuss the approaches to targeting LCN2 for cancer treatment that are currently under investigation, including the use of interference RNAs, antibodies, and gene editing.

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