Lipocalin-2 contributes to experimental atherosclerosis in a stage-dependent manner

Lipocalin-2 (Lcn2) is a glycoprotein which can be secreted by immune cells. Several studies in humans have suggested Lcn2 can be used as a biomarker for the detection of unstable atherosclerotic lesions, partly as it is known to interact with MMP-9. mice to assess the functional role of Lcn2 in different stages of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerotic lesions were characterized through histological analysis and myeloid cell populations were examined using flow cytometry. mice. Altogether, these findings suggest that Lcn2 deficiency promotes lesion growth in earlier stages of the disease while it decreases MMP-9 activity and necrotic core size in advanced atherosclerosis. BACKGROUND AND AIMS METHODS RESULTS CONCLUSIONSBiopharmaceutic