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

Abstract

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 maker, but also an active mediator of the arherosclerotic process.

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a newly identified acute phase reactant which shares some structural and some functional properties with CRP.

Keywords

• Pentraxin 3
• C-reactive protein
• acute phase response
• apoptosis
• macrophages
• dendritic cells
• innate immunity