About LECT / Leukocyte Cell Derived Chemotaxin:
Leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin also known as LECT2 is a hepatokine. Its function is to cause skeletal muscle insulin resistance. They also regulate weight loss or weight gain. It plays a role in certain diseases, such as sepsis and liver disease, including cancer. When studying biomarkers of inflammatory diseases, LECT was found.
LECT Mechanism
Chemotaxins are released by cells and stimulate the movement of the white blood cells that fight disease. It is most often secreted by the liver into the blood. During the first tests, this protein was found to be 48% similar to the protein found in chickens.
Leukocyte Cell Derived Chemotaxin Function
LECT is often found in cells and tissues and decreases expression during inflammation. Its degeneration of tissue homeostasis downregulates its expression. The way it interacts with other cells is still being studied. In a type of carcinoma (hepatocellular), it binds and inhibits hepatocyte growth. It binds also to CD209a which are found within mice. It may even resist insulin and is known to regenerate the liver. The gene is translated as 1–1.3 kb mRNA. LCET has multiple functions and is part of multiple organ systems, therefore there isn’t a molecular pathway that regulates its expression. There is no solid test to confirm if it is pro-inflammatory or anti‐inflammatory. Although these levels of LCET do become decreased in some cases of Sepsis. Overall, LCET plays a vital role in the immune system health, glucose metabolism and increasing bone growth. It also controls our cells in terms of division and cycle. It could play a future role in more medical treatments.