title: Pathogen recognition by the long pentraxin PTX3.
abstract: Innate immunity represents the first line of defence against pathogens and plays key roles in activation and orientation of the adaptive immune response. The innate immune system comprises both a cellular and a humoral arm. Components of the humoral arm include soluble pattern recognition molecules (PRMs) that recognise pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and initiate the immune response in coordination with the cellular arm, therefore acting as functional ancestors of antibodies. The long pentraxin PTX3 is a prototypic soluble PRM that is produced at sites of infection and inflammation by both somatic and immune cells. Gene targeting of this evolutionarily conserved protein has revealed a nonredundant role in resistance to selected pathogens. Moreover, PTX3 exerts important functions at the cross-road between innate immunity, inflammation, and female fertility. Here, we review the studies on PTX3, with emphasis on pathogen recognition and cross-talk with other components of the innate immune system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Istituto Clinico Humanitas IRCCS, Via Manzoni 113, 20089 Rozzano, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Moalli
authors.forename: Sebastien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jaillon
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Inforzato
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sironi
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bottazzi
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mantovani
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garlanda
mesh_terms: D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D056724:Immunity, Humoral / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007239:Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000099153:Pentraxins
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component; D000099153:Pentraxins