FIGURE 1.

The role of LCN2 in iron accumulation and neuroinflammation. (A,B) LCN2 is related to the import and export of iron into neuronal cells. (B) Under neuroinflammation conditions, LCN2 binds with many bacterial/mammalian siderophores and subsequently increases iron accumulation from the extracellular space into the intracellular space. (C) LCN2 triggers astrocyte reactivation and swelling as well as the induction of M1 microglial phenotype. Finally, LCN2 activates the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in astrocytes and microglia, and promotes the accumulation of intracellular iron, leading to the aggravation of neuroinflammation. DMT1, divalent metal transporter 1; IL‐1β, interleukin‐1 beta; IL‐6, interleukin −6; LCN2, lipocalin 2; LCN2R, lipocalin 2 receptor; TNF‐α, tumor necrosis factor‐α