Impact of Cellular Senescence on LCN2 Expression in Salivary Gland Epithelial Cells and Oral Keratinocytes.

ABSTRACT: Senescent cells are characterized by the up-regulation of senescence markers and exhibit key features, such as irreversible growth arrest and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which is mainly regulated by transcription factors of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Lipocalin-2 (LCN2), a glycoprotein secreted by immune cells, astrocytes, and epithelial cells, is present in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid and possesses antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. Although LCN2 expression is mainly regulated by NF-κB, the effects of aging and cellular senescence on salivary LCN2 protein concentrations remain unknown. We herein demonstrated that LCN2 protein levels in the serous acinar cells of salivary glands, oral epithelial cells, and saliva were higher in aged mice than i

SUBMITTER: Shikama Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12916262 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan-Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature