Reciprocal Contribution of Pentraxin 3 and C‐Reactive Protein to Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an acute‐phase protein that shares structural homology with C‐reactive protein (CRP). PTX3 is produced in macrophages, endothelial cells, and adipocytes in response to inflammatory stimuli, whereas hepatocytes are the main source of CRP. Because obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are considered chronic inflammatory states, PTX3 might be involved in the pathogenesis of obesity and MetS as well as CRP. Levels of CRP correlated positively with body weight, BMI, waist circumference (WC), fasting plasma glucose and interleukin (IL)‐6, and negatively with high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and adiponectin in healthy males. In contrast, PTX3 correlated positively with adiponectin, and negatively with body weight, BMI, WC, and triglyceride. Plasma CRP significantly increased, whereas plasma PTX3 significantly decreased with increasing BMI. Plasma CRP and PTX3 levels were significantly higher and lower, respectively, in individuals who had more than one MetS component compared with those who had none. In conclusion, PTX3 and CRP antagonistically participate in the development of obesity or MetS.

Plasma PTX3 protein levels inversely correlate with insulin secretion and obesity, whereas visceral adipose tissue PTX3 gene expression is increased in obesity

“…Its plasma levels have been linked to obesity (7,34,44), the circulating lipid profile (34,44,45), atherosclerosis (33), and inflammation (27). Here, we show that in a cohort of healthy lean and overweight men, plasma PTX3 protein levels display a negative correlation with fasting triglyceride levels, a result that has been found consistently in previous studies (34,44). Interestingly, we found a negative correlation between plasma PTX3 and insulin secretion after both intravenous and oral glucose administration.…”

“…Plasma PTX3 protein concentrations were inversely correlated with fat mass, leptin, CRP, and IL-6 in healthy subjects undergoing changes in physical activity and energy balance (7). Likewise, negative correlations between concentrations of plasma PTX3 protein and triglycerides and BMI and lower PTX3 values in individuals with metabolic syndrome were described in a large population of subjects (34,44). However, some recent studies (30,45) disagree with these associations, reporting a positive link between PTX3, obesity, and some cardiovascular risk factors that associates the inflammatory function of this pentraxin with a worse cardiovascular profile.…”

Pentraxin 3 and Platelet Activation in Obese Patients After Gastric Banding

“…In contrast, the present data are consistent with previous studies showing that PTX3 is inversely associated with BMI and WC as well as with insulin resistance 16 and with the number of metabolic syndrome components, 34 and is significantly reduced in metabolic syndrome. 35 Visceral adipose tissue PTX3 gene expression is increased in obesity, 36 and has previously been associated with cardiovascular risk factors.…”

COPD is associated with reduced pulmonary interstitial expression of pentraxin-3

“…Increased PTX3 expression is also present in severe chronic inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis [21]. In contrast, low-grade systemic inflammation, as detected, for instance, in metabolic syndrome, is not accompanied by increased systemic PTX3 levels [22]. The role of PTX3 in pulmonary infection and acute lung injury is reviewed elsewhere [23].…”