Cytokine-induced gene expression at the crossroads of innate immunity, inflammation and fertility: TSG-6 and PTX3/TSG-14.
Two cytokine-inducible gene products, important in inflammation and infection, also play essential roles in female fertility. One of these is the product of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-stimulated gene 6 (TSG-6), alternatively termed TNFAIP6 (for TNF-alpha-induced protein 6), originally cloned from diploid human fibroblasts stimulated with TNF. The second is pentraxin 3 (PTX3), also termed TSG-14, originally isolated from TNF-stimulated human fibroblasts and from interleukin-1 (IL-1)-stimulated vascular endothelial cells. TSG-6, which specifically binds to hyaluronan (HA) and to inter-alpha-inhibitor (I alpha I), shows potent anti-inflammatory activity in acute and chronic inflammation, notably in several models of autoimmune arthritis. PTX3 was shown to play an important role in resistance to fungal infection with Aspergillus fumigatus. Both TSG-6 and PTX3 are synthesized in the ovary prior to ovulation, where they become components of an expanding viscoelastic matrix that surrounds the oocyte before its release from the follicle at the ovarian surface. Female mice with a targeted disruption of either the TSG-6 or PTX3 gene show severe defects in fertility.
Wisniewski
Hans-Georg
HG
Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA. wisnih01@med.nyu.edu
Vilcek
Jan
J
D000510:Alpha-Globulins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000276:immunology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D000099153:Pentraxins
D000510:Alpha-Globulins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016207:Cytokines; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component; D000099153:Pentraxins; C072273:TNFAIP6 protein, human; C011877:inter-alpha-inhibitor