Protective effects of lipocalin-2 (LCN2) in acute liver injury suggest a novel function in liver homeostasis

► Upregulation of LCN2 is a reliable indicator of liver damage. ► LCN2 has significant hepato-protective effects in acute liver injury. ► LCN2 deficient mice show increased expression of inflammatory mediators. ► LCN2 deficient mice show sustained activation of STAT1, STAT3 and JNK pathways. ►LCN2 is not correlated to hepatic fibrosis but correlates to inflammation.