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Abstract

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has recently been identified in myeloperoxidase-negative neutrophil granules. Members of the lipocalin family are thought to bind and transport small lipophilic molecules such as retinoids and roles in cell regulation have been proposed. Recently, NGAL has also been demonstrated in the colonic mucosa in certain pathologic conditions. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of NGAL in normal and neoplastic tissues by immunohistochemistry. Interestingly, NGAL was found in a variety of normal and pathological human tissues. A cell type-specific pattern of expression was seen in bronchus, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, kidney, prostate gland, and thymus. The comparative analysis of the putative rat homologue neu-related lipocalin showed a very similar pattern of expression with the exception of pancreas and kidney. Neoplastic human tissues showed a very heterogeneous expression of NGAL protein. High NGAL levels were found in adenocarcinomas of lung, colon and pancreas. In contrast, renal cell carcinomas of various subtypes and prostate cancers contained low NGAL levels. Lymphomas and thymic tumours were negative for NGAL immuno-labeling. Knowledge about the location of NGAL in normal cells and in disease states provides the first clues towards understanding its biological function.

The High Molecular Weight Urinary Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) Activity Is a Complex of Gelatinase B/MMP-9 and Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin (NGAL)

“…Under normal conditions, expression of human NGAL is restricted to breast, lung, trachea, and bone marrow (10,15). However, elevated levels of NGAL expression to have been reported in human breast tumors as well as in adenocarcinomas of lung, colon, and pancreas (11)(12)(13). This suggests that an increased production of NGAL by tumor cells may be associated with the tumorigenic phenotype and might contribute to the elevated levels of MMP-9⅐NGAL complex in the urine.…”

“…Given the recent findings that NGAL expression levels are up-regulated in colorectal neoplasia (9) and several epithelial carcinomas (11)(12)(13), we hypothesize that NGAL may be involved in tumor progression via its interaction with MMP-9.…”

Profiling, comparison and validation of gene expression in gastric carcinoma and normal stomach

“…IgA and lysozyme are well-characterized and known to be highly expressed in gastritis and in carcinomas of intestinal type, especially when well differentiated as in tumour 1 (Isaacson, 1982). Lipocalins bind small lipophilic molecules, including bacterialderived lipopolysaccharides; lipocalin 2 has been reported in normal glandular epithelia but not, until now, in cancers (Friedl et al, 1999).…”

Correlation of Urine and Serum Biomarkers with Renal Damage and Survival in Dogs with Naturally Occurring Proteinuric Chronic Kidney Disease

“…Urine, plasma, and serum neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) and urine N‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucosaminidase (uNAG), a renal tubular enzyme, are tubular markers increased in both acute and CKD in dogs 7, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22. Neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin originates not only in the renal tubules but also from neutrophil granules and many other organs 23. Novel urine biomarkers are not regularly used as diagnostic tools for evaluation of renal disease in veterinary medicine, and few veterinary studies correlate biomarkers with histologically proven renal damage7, 12, 13, 18 and case outcome 4…”