Pentraxin 3 – possible uses in neonatology and paediatrics

Abstract

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a multifunctional acute phase protein belonging to the family of long pentraxins, which is synthesised in numerous cells of the body under the influence of proinflammatory factors and locally at the site of inflammation. Under physiological conditions, PTX3 is stored in neutrophil granules, where there is a constant pool of glycoproteins. Increased pentraxin 3 levels in blood serum are observed as early as 1 hour after a damaging stimulus. Elevation of PTX3 serum levels can be used to diagnose fertility disorders in women as well as in pregnancy pathology, women at risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, premature rupture of membrane and preterm delivery. The biological function of PTX3 is not fully understood, especially in the population of newborns and children. So far, no reference values for PTX3 levels in newborns and children have been developed. This protein can be used as a marker of pulmonary hypertension in newborns as well as to assess the degree of respiratory failure in premature infants. In older children, it is useful in the assessment of the severity of meningococcal disease and sepsis as well as in the treatment of childhood asthma. There are studies available in which blood levels of PTX3 significantly correlate with the severity of kidney damage in Henoch–Schönlein macular degeneration in children, and the evaluation of this protein in urine is used to detect renal parenchymal destruction after pyelonephritis.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of PCT and RDW in premature infants with septicemia

“…NS has a hidden onset and nonspecific clinical symptoms, making it prone to misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. [ 20 , 21 ] The incidence rate of NS is about 0.1% to 1%, and the death rate is 15% to 50%, which is an important factor causing neonatal death. PCT is a precursor of Calcitonin without hormone activity.…”

Exploring PTX3 as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Marker in Fetal Inflammatory Response Syndrome in Newborns: A Prospective Study

“…In normal physiological conditions, PTX3 is stored in neutrophil granules, along with other glycoproteins. Following a damaging stimulus, an increase in PTX3 levels in the bloodstream can be observed as early as one hour (9) . While the precise biological functions of PTX3 in children remain incompletely understood, certain studies have indicated that PTX3 exhibits a more sensitive and rapid elevation compared to CRP in response to inflammation, specifically within a short duration of one hour (16)(17)(18)(19) .…”

“…PTX3 ( Pentraxin 3) , a biomarker involved in innate immunity, is stored in neutrophils (8) . Although there is no direct information linking PTX3 and innate immunity in newborn babies (9) . It is known that the immune system of neonates and infants is still developing and has different components of innate and acquired immunity (10) .…”