Production of the long pentraxin PTX3 in advanced atherosclerotic plaques.
Elevated plasma levels of the pentraxin protein family member C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease in both healthy and high-risk subjects. The long pentraxin family member, pentraxin 3 (PTX3), was recently described. Like CRP, PTX3 is induced by acute inflammatory stimuli and is increased in the blood of patients with acute myocardial infarction. Unlike CRP, it is expressed in a wide range of cell types, but not in hepatocytes. In this study, we have investigated the expression of PTX3 in atherosclerosis. Immunohistochemical staining of advanced atherosclerotic lesions revealed strong expression of PTX3. In contrast, no PTX3 expression was observed in nonatherosclerotic internal mammary arteries. By staining serial sections with cell type- and PTX3-specific antibodies, we observed that PTX3 was produced principally by macrophages and endothelial cells. Infrequent expression by smooth muscle cells was also observed. Our results suggest that PTX3 may contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
Rolph
Michael S
MS
Heart Research Institute, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia. m.rolph@garvan.org.au
Zimmer
Sabine
S
Bottazzi
Barbara
B
Garlanda
Cecilia
C
Mantovani
Alberto
A
Hansson
Göran K
GK
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000378:metabolism; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004691:Endarterectomy; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D008323:Mammary Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000099153:Pentraxins
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component; D000099153:Pentraxins