Expression and localization of the iron-siderophore binding protein lipocalin 2 in the normal rat brain and after kainate-induced excitotoxicity

► Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) is expressed in astrocytes and the choroid plexus of normal brains. ► Increased LCN2 expression is observed in astrocytes after kainate-induced excitotoxicity. ► LCN2 may affect brain iron metabolism through binding to iron-siderophore complexes.