Essential PTX3 biology (not only) for cardiologists and cardiac surgeons

• Published in: Acta medica Lékarskí fakulty Univerzity Karlovy v Hradci Králove Vol. 50; no. 1; pp. 29 - 33
• Main Authors: Kunes, Pavel, Lonský, Vladimír, Mand'ák, Jirí, Brtko, Miroslav, Kolácková, Martina, Andrýs, Ctirad, Kudlová, Manuela, Krejsek, Jan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Czech Republic Karolinum Press 2007
• Subjects: Acute phase response; Acute-Phase Proteins - physiology; Apoptosis; Apoptosis - physiology; Atherosclerosis - physiopathology; Autoimmunity - physiology; C-reactive protein; C-Reactive Protein - physiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - physiopathology; Dendritic cells; Humans; Macrophages; Pentraxin 3; Serum Amyloid P-Component - physiology
• ISSN: 1211-4286; 1805-9694
• DOI: 10.14712/18059694.2017.56

Inflammation has been recognized to form an integral part of the atherosclerotic process. Much consideration has been given lately to the role played in atherogenesis by C-reactive protein (CRP). Although not accepted unequivocally, CRP appears to be not only a marker, but also an active mediator of the atherosclerotic process. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a newly identified acute phase reactant which shares some structural and some functional properties with CRP. On the other hand, pentraxin 3 displays unique biological properties of its own, including a possible role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases and in processes accompanying the natural evolution of surgical wounds. This review article discusses recent information concerning basic pentraxin 3 biology in inflammation and in innate immunity reactions as viewed by a cardiologist in the context of acute coronary events and by a surgeon in patients struck with multiple wounds who are at the same time menaced by bacterial infections.