Ngp, or Neutrophilic granule protein, belongs to the cystatin superfamily. It is involved in regulating the inflammatory response and phagocytosis processes. Ngp plays a significant role in host defense as it can modulate the inflammatory reactions and phagocytic ability of activated macrophages [1].

In a study on mice, Ngp was found to have a crucial role in inflammation and phagocytosis. Peritoneal macrophages isolated from mice challenged with E. coli or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) showed a significant increase in Ngp levels, mainly in a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-dependent manner. Overexpression of Ngp in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells reduced the production of TNF-α and IL-1β via suppression of the NF-κB (p65 and p50) signalling pathway, while also inducing the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Moreover, upregulated Ngp enhanced the phagocytosis of E. coli by RAW cells. These findings suggest that Ngp may be a potential target for treating inflammatory-based diseases [1].

In conclusion, Ngp is an important component in host defense, regulating inflammatory responses and phagocytosis by macrophages. The studies using mouse models have revealed its potential in treating inflammatory-based diseases, providing insights into its biological functions and implications in disease treatment.