LCN2 and infection: Interestingly, the infection-induced-inflammation also controls iron metabolism-related genes through the expression of proteins that naturally control iron distribution by increasing the expression of the hormone hepcidin, the iron-binding protein lactoferrin, and the siderophore-binding protein lipocalin 2 and by decreasing the levels of the iron-transport protein transferrin, all of which contribute to anemia of chronic inflammation to maintain bactericidal conditions.