Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin

The neutrophilengelatinase-associated lipocalin ( NGAL ) is a 25 kDa heavy protein covalently bound to the gelatinase human neutrophil granulocytes is bound. It is constantly produced in low concentrations in the human kidney , windpipe , lungs , stomach and large intestine . The NGAL expression is increased in acute bacterial infections, asthma , COPD or pulmonary emphysema .

After ischemic events , NGAL is upregulated in some nephron segments. The protein mainly accumulates in the proximal tubule . NGAL is an early biomarker for acute kidney failure. NGAL is a gene product of the LCN2 gene.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Human neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin and homologous proteins in rats and mouse Kjeldsen et al. J Immunol Methods 1996
2. ↑ Molecular characterization and pattern of tissue expression in the gene for neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin from humans Cowland et al. Genomics 1997
3. ↑ Lipocalins as biochemical markers of disease Xu et al. Biochem Biophys Acta 2000
4. ↑ Identification of neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin as a novel urinary biomarker for ischemic injury Mishra et al. J Am Nephrol 2003
5. ↑ Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as an abiomarker for acute renal injury after cardiac surgery Mishra et al. Lancet 2005