01 June 2010
Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL): A new piece of the anemia puzzle?
Davide Bolignano, Giuseppe Coppolino, Valentina Donato, Antonio Lacquaniti, Caterina Bono, Michele BuemiMed Sci Monit 2010; 16(6): RA131-135 :: ID: 880601
Abstract
Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL), a small 25-kD peptide, originally discovered as an antibacterial factor of natural immunity and an acute-phase protein, represents a key factor in the regulation of erythrocyte growth due to its ability to inhibit the maturation and differentiation of bone marrow erythroid precursors. When a condition of primary anemia occurs, the body has a double response with respect to NGAL production and its systemic effects. Because NGAL is a protective, anti-oxidant factor, there is an increase in the peripheral production of the protein in order to counteract hypoxic stress. However, the increased systemic NGAL levels would have a negative impact on the bone marrow red cell homeostasis, thus the bone marrow counteracts this potential negative effect by reducing the production of NGAL by the same erythroid precursor and by enhancing the survival mechanisms of these cells. Several systemic diseases associated with the presence of secondary anemia, such as chronic renal failure, chronic inflammation and cancer, are known to induce a dramatic increase in circulating NGAL levels. This may represent a further, important cause of the development and worsening of anemia itself. From this point of view, NGAL may thus become an alternative therapeutic target for improving the treatment of secondary anemia related to these conditions.
Keywords: Models, Biological, Neoplasms - metabolism, Lipocalins - physiology, Kidney Failure, Chronic - metabolism, Erythrocytes - metabolism, Antioxidants - metabolism, Anoxia, Anemia - metabolism, Acute-Phase Proteins - physiology, Proto-Oncogene Proteins - physiology, Recombinant Proteins - metabolism
Editorial
01 April 2024 : Editorial
Editorial: Forty Years of Waiting for Prevention and Cure of HIV Infection – Ongoing Challenges and Hopes for Vaccine Development and Overcoming Antiretroviral Drug ResistanceDOI: 10.12659/MSM.944600
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944600
In Press
06 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Comparison of Outcomes between Single-Level and Double-Level Corpectomy in Thoracolumbar Reconstruction: A ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943797
21 Mar 2024 : Meta-Analysis
Economic Evaluation of COVID-19 Screening Tests and Surveillance Strategies in Low-Income, Middle-Income, a...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943863
10 Apr 2024 : Clinical Research
Predicting Acute Cardiovascular Complications in COVID-19: Insights from a Specialized Cardiac Referral Dep...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942612
06 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Enhanced Surgical Outcomes of Popliteal Cyst Excision: A Retrospective Study Comparing Arthroscopic Debride...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.941102
Most Viewed Current Articles
17 Jan 2024 : Review article
Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron VariantDOI :10.12659/MSM.942799
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
16 May 2023 : Clinical Research
Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952