Lipocalin-2: pro- or anti-apoptotic?

Survival and apoptosis signaling pathways are altered concomitantly in response to numerous endogenous and exogenous stressors. The lipocalin family of small soluble proteins has been implicated in modulating apoptosis. However, the overall effect of these proteins has been variable, showing both pro- and anti-apoptotic activities. The goal of this minireview is to summarize the studies on lipocalins and apoptosis and consider what roles lipocalin-2 may play in cell death and survival.