In the early stage of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, low levels of LCN2 may help to maintain neuronal survival and function by activating specific intracellular signaling pathways, promoting the conversion of astrocytes to A2 type, and releasing neuroprotective factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (Xiao et al., 2025). The gene discussed is LCN2; the disease is brain ischemia.