title: Neopterin: from forgotten biomarker to leading actor in cardiovascular pathophysiology.
abstract: Inflammation plays a role at all stages of atherosclerosis. Neopterin, a pteridine mainly synthesized by activated macrophages, is a marker of inflammation, immune system activation and an active participant in cardiovascular disease. Measurement of neopterin levels may help follow the evolution of specific inflammatory conditions (e.g. viral infection, renal transplant rejection, systemic inflammatory diseases, nephritic syndrome and autoimmune diseases). Serum levels of neopterin are elevated also in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Moreover, plasma levels of this molecule might predict adverse cardiovascular events in patients with CAD, acute coronary syndromes or severe PAD. In addition, neopterin levels are related to the development of heart failure. We provide an updated overview on neopterin and, its links with CAD, left ventricular dysfunction, and PAD. We also describe its potential role in cardiac regenerative strategies with using bone marrow cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular and Immunological Sciences (Division of Cardiology), University of Naples Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Rosa
authors.forename: Plinio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cirillo
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pacileo
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Petrillo
authors.forename: Greta-Luana
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: D'Ascoli
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maresca
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ziviello
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chiariello
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D019798:Neopterin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019798:Neopterin