The Role of Pentraxin 3 in Aspergillosis: Reality and Prospects

ABSTRACT

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a soluble pattern recognition receptor (PRR), which is produced by severalkinds of cells, such as neutrophils, dendritic cells, macrophages, and epithelial cells.PTX3 is known to play an important protective effect against Aspergillus. Genetic linkage ingene-targeted mice and human PTX3 plays a non-redundant role in the immune protectionagainst specific pathogens, especially Aspergillus. Recent studies have shown that the polymorphismof PTX3 is associated with increased susceptibility to invasive aspergillosis (IA). Inthis review, we provide an overview of these studies that underline the potential of PTX3 indiagnosis and therapy of IA.