Lipocalin 2 regulates expression of MHC class I molecules in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected dendritic cells via ROS production.

Background: Iron has important roles as an essential nutrient for all life forms and as an effector of the host defense mechanism against pathogenic infection. Lipocalin 2 (LCN2), an innate immune protein, plays a crucial role in iron transport and inflammation. In the present study, we examined the role of LCN2 in immune cells during Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection.