title: The inflammatory protein Pentraxin 3 in cardiovascular disease.
abstract: The acute phase protein Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) plays a non-redundant role as a soluble pattern recognition receptor for selected pathogens and it represents a rapid biomarker for primary local activation of innate immunity and inflammation. Recent evidence indicates that PTX3 exerts an important role in modulating the cardiovascular system in humans and experimental models. In particular, there are conflicting points concerning the effects of PTX3 in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) since several observations indicate a cardiovascular protective effect of PTX3 while others speculate that the increased plasma levels of PTX3 in subjects with CVD correlate with disease severity and with poor prognosis in elderly patients. In the present review, we discuss the multifaceted effects of PTX3 on the cardiovascular system focusing on its involvement in atherosclerosis, endothelial function, hypertension, myocardial infarction and angiogenesis. This may help to explain how the specific modulation of PTX3 such as the use of different dosing, time, and target organs could help to contain different vascular diseases. These opposite actions of PTX3 will be emphasized concerning the modulation of cardiovascular system where potential therapeutic implications of PTX3 in humans are discussed.
authors: Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy ; I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Fornai
authors: I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS Italy.
authors: Albino
authors: A
authors: Carrizzo
authors: I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS Italy.
authors: Maurizio
authors: M
authors: Forte
authors: I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS Italy.
authors: Mariateresa
authors: M
authors: Ambrosio
authors: I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS Italy.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Damato
authors: Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors: Michela
authors: M
authors: Ferrucci
authors: I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS Italy.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Biagioni
authors: I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS Italy.
authors: Carla
authors: C
authors: Busceti
authors: Vascular Physiopathology Unit, I.R.C.C.S. Multimedica, Milan, Italy ; Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, Baronissi, SA 84081 Italy.
authors: Annibale A
authors: AA
authors: Puca
authors: I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS Italy ; Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, Baronissi, SA 84081 Italy.
authors: Carmine
authors: C
authors: Vecchione
keywords: Acute phase protein of inflammation; Angiogenesis; Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular diseases; Myocardial infarction; Pentraxin 3