The Role of Alpha-1-acid Glycoprotein 2 Protein and the Underlying Orosomucoid 2 Gene in Different Diseases

Abstract

Alpha-1-Acid glycoprotein 2 (AGP2) or orosomucoid 2 (ORM2) is a major plasma protein. AGP2 is a member of the immunocalin family, a lipocalin subfamily expressed mainly in hepatocytes and also in astrocytes and endothelial cells. The detailed physiological role of this protein has not yet been known, but some physiological activates have been related to this protein, including drug binding and immunomodulating effects. As it belongs to the positive acute phase proteins (APP), AGP2 increases during acute phase reactions and under certain pathological conditions such as unspecific inflammatory stimulation. AGP2 play a critical role in many diseases throughout its critical biological pathways. This literature review evaluates and discusses the contribution of AGP2 in different diseases, including several types of cancer, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).