The yin-yang of long pentraxin PTX3 in inflammation and immunity

Abstract

Pentraxins are a family of multimeric proteins characterized by the presence of a pentraxin signature in their C-terminus region. Based on the primary structure, pentraxins are divided into short and long pentraxin: C-reactive protein (CRP) is the prototype of the short pentraxin subfamily while pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is the prototypic long pentraxin. Despite these two molecules exert similar fundamental actions in the regulation of innate immune and inflammatory responses, several differences exist between CRP and PTX3, including gene organization, protein oligomerization and expression pattern. The pathophysiological roles of PTX3 have been investigated using genetically modified mice since PTX3 gene organization and regulation are well conserved between mouse and human. Such in vivo studies figured out that PTX3 mainly have host-protective effects, even if it could also exert negative effects under certain pathophysiologic conditions. Here we will review the general properties of CRP and PTX3, emphasizing the differences between the two molecules and the regulatory functions exerted by PTX3 in innate immunity and inflammation.

Long-Pentraxin 3 Derivative as a Small-Molecule FGF Trap for Cancer Therapy

“…PTX3 deficiency causes a reduced immune response to pathogens and increases tissue damage in ischemic myocardium and atherosclerotic lesions (see Daigo et al [2014] for a more detailed description of the Ptx3 À/À mouse phenotype). Also, recent observations have shown that the growth of chemical carcinogen-induced skin tumors is delayed in these animals (Bonavita et al, 2015).…”

WITHDRAWN: Relationship between circulating irisin, retinol binding protein-4, adiponectin and inflammatory mediators in patients with metabolic syndrome

“…CRP is the prototype of the short pentraxin subfamily and pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) belongs to the long pentraxin family. PTX-3 is a multimeric acute phase inflammatory glycoprotein in the same family as CRP, a well-known cardiovascular biomarker (11). Its secretion is stimulated in endothelial cells, macrophages, myeloid cells, and dendritic cells by cytokines and endotoxins.…”

Enhancement of Tissue Factor Expression in Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells by Pentraxin 3 and Its Modulation by C1 Esterase Inhibitor

“…However, in the experiments investigating the effects of PTX3 on whole blood coagulation, 0.25 µg/mL of PTX3 indeed exerted some procoagulant activity, although it was not statistically significant (the activity increase became significant when 1.0 µg/mL PTX3 was used). However, considering that PTX3 levels in the circulating blood increase to 1.5 µg/mL under inflammatory conditions [42], the maximum levels at an inflammatory site might be several times higher than those in the circulating blood, and possibly beyond the concentration used in the experiments. We therefore believe that the PTX3 concentrations used in the current study are clinically relevant.…”