Pathogen Recognition by the Long Pentraxin PTX3

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BioMed research international 2011-01, Vol.2011 (2011), p.1-15
Main Authors: Jaillon, Sebastien, Moalli, Federica, Inforzato, Antonio, Sironi, Marina, Bottazzi, Barbara, Mantovani, Alberto, Garlanda, Cecilia
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antibodies
Biological and medical sciences
C-Reactive Protein - genetics
C-Reactive Protein - immunology
Female
Fertility - genetics
Fertility - immunology
Genetic aspects
Health aspects
Host-Pathogen Interactions - immunology
Humans
Identification and classification
Immunity, Humoral - genetics
Immunity, Humoral - immunology
Immunity, Innate
Immunology
Infections - genetics
Infections - immunology
Inflammation - genetics
Inflammation - immunology
Medical sciences
Pathogenic microorganisms
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Physiological aspects
Proteins
Review
Serum Amyloid P-Component - genetics
Serum Amyloid P-Component - immunology
Viral antibodies
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1110-7243
2314-6133
1110-7251
2314-6141
DOI:10.1155/2011/830421