Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in human neoplasias: a new protein enters the scene.
The small 25 kDa peptide, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), first known as an antibacterial factor of natural immunity, and an acute phase protein, is currently one of the most interesting and enigmatic proteins involved in the process of tumor development. The aim of the present review is to point out the main contradictory, sometimes even paradoxical, effects attributed to NGAL in human neoplasias. For instance, acting as an intracellular iron carrier and protecting MMP9 from proteolytic degradation, NGAL has a clear pro-tumoral effect, as has already been observed in different tumors (e.g. breast, stomach, oesophagus, brain) in humans. Moreover, in thyroid carcinomas, NGAL is strongly induced by NF-kB, an important factor involved both in tumor growth and in the link between chronic inflammation and neoplastic development. However, on the contrary, some studies have demonstrated that NGAL can inhibit the pro-neoplastic factor HIF-1alpha, FA-Kinase phosphorylation and also VEGF synthesis, thus suggesting that, in alternative conditions, NGAL also, paradoxically, has an anti-tumoral and anti-metastatic effect in neoplasias of, for example, the colon, ovary and pancreas. Finally, in the field of clinical oncology, attention is currently focused on the potential use of NGAL levels in making an early diagnosis, establishing a prognosis and predicting response to different treatments.
Bolignano
Davide
D
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Messina, Italy.
Donato
Valentina
V
Lacquaniti
Antonio
A
Fazio
Maria Rosaria
MR
Bono
Caterina
C
Coppolino
Giuseppe
G
Buemi
Michele
M
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D006801:Humans; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C497442:HIF1A protein, human; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; C489506:LCN2 protein, human; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins; D016328:NF-kappa B; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9