title: PTX3 as a paradigm for the interaction of pentraxins with the complement system.
abstract: Pentraxins are highly conserved components of the humoral arm of innate immunity. They include the short pentraxins C reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid P component (SAP), and the long pentraxin PTX3. These are soluble pattern-recognition molecules that are present in the blood and body fluids, and share the ability to recognize pathogens and promote their disposal. CRP and SAP are produced systemically in the liver while PTX3 is produced locally in a number of tissues, macrophages and neutrophils being major sources of this long pentraxin. Pentraxins interact with components of the classical and lectin pathways of Complement as well as with Complement regulators. In particular, PTX3 recognizes C1q, factor H, MBL and ficolins, where these interactions amplify the repertoire of microbial recognition and effector functions of the Complement system. The complex interaction of pentraxins with the Complement system at different levels has broad implications for host defence and regulation of inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Inflammation and Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Rozzano, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Inforzato
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Doni
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Barajon
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garlanda
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bottazzi
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mantovani
mesh_terms: D000210:Acute-Phase Reaction / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000276:immunology*; D003167:Complement Activation; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D056747:Immunomodulation; D011485:Protein Binding; D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition / Q000276:immunology*; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component / Q000276:immunology*; D000099153:Pentraxins
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component; D000099153:Pentraxins
keywords: Complement; PTX3; Pentraxins