The Role of PTX3 in Mineralization Processes and Aging-Related Bone Diseases

Abstract

The Long Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a multifunctional glycoprotein released by peripheral blood leukocytes and myeloid dendritic cells in response to primary pro-inflammatory stimuli, that acts as a non-redundant component of the humoral arm of innate immunity. In addition to the primary role in the acute inflammatory response, PTX3 seems to be involved in other physiological and pathological processes. Indeed, PTX3 seems to play a pivotal role in the deposition and remodeling of bone matrix during the mineralization process, promoting osteoblasts differentiation and activity. Recently, PTX3 was seen to be involved in the ectopic calcifications’ formation in breast cancer disease. In this regard, it has been observed that breast cancer tumors characterized by high expression of PTX3 and high amount of Breast Osteoblast Like Cells (BOLCs) showed several Hydroxyapatite (HA) microcalcifications, suggesting a likely role for PTX3 in differentiation and osteoblastic activity in both bone and extra-bone sites. Furthermore, given its involvement in bone metabolism, several studies agree with the definition of PTX3 as a molecule significantly involved in the pathogenesis of age-related bone diseases, such as osteoporosis, both in mice and humans. Recent results suggest that genetic and epigenetic mechanisms acting on PTX3 gene are also involved in the progression of these diseases. Based on these evidences, the aim of our systemic review was to offer an overview of the variety of biological processes in which PTX3 is involved, focusing on bone mineralization, both in a physiological and pathological context.

High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Increases the Risk of Carotid Plaque Instability in Male Dyslipidemic Patients

“…An interesting observation is the lack of association between the presence of plaque calcifications and hs-CRP blood level. Indeed, our and other studies demonstrated that the plaque calcification is an active process that can be modulated by the inflammation [16,18,[34][35][36][37], as occur in the physiological bone mineralization [38,39]. This evidence suggests that the calcification of the carotid plaque could be related to specific inflammatory cytokines [25,37] rather than to a specific low-grade inflammatory state.…”

Role of Complement in Regulating Inflammation Processes in Renal and Prostate Cancers

“…In other age-related contexts, PTX3 seems to play a pivotal role in the deposition and remodelling of bone matrix during the mineralization process, promoting osteoblasts differentiation and activity, suggesting a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of age-related bone diseases, such as osteoporosis, both in mice and humans [77]. Furthermore, given its involvement in bone metabolism, several studies agree with the definition of PTX3 as a molecule significantly involved in the pathogenesis of age-related bone diseases, such as osteoporosis, both in mice and humans.…”

Exposure to Random Positioning Machine Alters the Mineralization Process and PTX3 Expression in the SAOS-2 Cell Line

“…The study of novel mediators of bone metabolism is essential to understand the physiological responses of bone tissue to microgravity. In this regard, pentraxin 3 (PTX3) has recently been proposed as a new potential therapeutic target and diagnostic marker for the treatment of age-related bone diseases, given its known involvement in physiological and pathophysiological processes occurring in bone tissue, including bone matrix deposition and remodelling during the mineralization process, calcification formation and fracture healing [ 14 ]. Specifically, Scimeca et al observed that primary cultures of osteoblasts from osteoporotic patients undergoing hip arthroplasty for fragility fracture showed a low capacity to form hydroxyapatite micro-crystals and a reduced expression of PTX3 in contrast to control cells characterized by numerous hydroxyapatite micro-crystals and a high expression of PTX3 [ 15 ].…”