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     Western blot analysis of Pentraxin 3 expression in HUVEC cell lysate.    

  
  

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a multifunctional glycoprotein belonging to the long pentraxin subfamily, distinct from short pentraxins like C-reactive protein (CRP). Produced by various cells (e.g., endothelial cells, macrophages, dendritic cells) in response to inflammatory signals, PTX3 plays a key role in innate immunity, extracellular matrix regulation, and tissue repair. It acts as a soluble pattern recognition molecule, binding pathogens (e.g., fungi, bacteria), activating complement pathways, and modulating phagocytosis. PTX3 also interacts with growth factors (e.g., FGF2) and regulates angiogenesis. Its involvement in conditions like sepsis, COVID-19. atherosclerosis, and cancer has driven interest in PTX3-targeting antibodies.

Anti-PTX3 antibodies are critical tools for studying its biological functions and clinical relevance. They enable detection of PTX3 in tissues and biofluids, aiding research into its role as a biomarker for inflammatory diseases or cancer prognosis. Therapeutic antibodies are being explored to either neutralize PTX3’s pro-inflammatory effects in sepsis or enhance its anti-angiogenic properties in cancer. Challenges include understanding context-dependent roles (e.g., PTX3 can exhibit both protective and pathogenic effects) and optimizing antibody specificity. Ongoing studies aim to clarify PTX3’s mechanistic pathways and validate its therapeutic potential.