Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 21, 2026
Measurement of Pulse Propagation Velocity, Distensibility and Strain in an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Mouse Model
Published on: February 23, 2020
Systemic pentraxin-3 levels reflect vascular enhancement and progression in Takayasu arteritis
Introduction:
Progression of arterial involvement is often observed in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA) thought to be in remission. This reflects the failure of currently used biomarkers and activity criteria to detect smouldering inflammation occurring within arterial wall. Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is a soluble pattern recognition receptor produced at sites of inflammation and could reveal systemic as well as localized inflammatory processes. We verified whether the blood concentrations of PTX3 and of C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA) might reflect vascular wall involvement, as assessed by signal enhancement after contrast media administration, and the progression of arterial involvement.
Methods:
A cross-sectional single-centre study was carried out on 42 patients with TA that comprised assessment of PTX3, of CRP and erythrocyte sedimentation velocity (ESR). In total, 20 healthy controls and 20 patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE) served as controls. Vascular imaging was carried out by magnetic resonance angiography, doppler ultrasonography and computed tomography angiography.
Results:
Patients with TA and SLE had higher plasmatic PTX3 and CRP concentrations than healthy controls (P = 0.009 and 0.017, respectively). PTX3 levels did not correlate with those of CRP. Patients with active systemic TA had significantly higher concentrations of CRP but similar levels of PTX3 than patients with quiescent disease. In contrast, patients with vascular inflammation detectable at imaging had higher PTX3 concentrations (P = 0.016) than those in which vessel inflammation was not evident, while CRP levels were similar. The concentration of PTX3 but not that of CRP was significantly higher in TA patients with worsening arterial lesions that were not receiving antagonists of tumor necrosis factor-α or interleukin-6.
Conclusions:
Arterial inflammation and progression of vascular involvement influence plasma PTX3 levels in TA, while levels of CRP accurately reflect the burden of systemic inflammation. These results support the contention that PTX3 reflects different aspects of inflammation than CRP and might represent a biomarker of actual arteritis in TA.
Insights
Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) may serve as a biomarker for arterial inflammation in Takayasu arteritis (TA), unlike C-reactive protein (CRP). PTX3 levels correlate with vascular inflammation and disease progression, offering insights into active arteritis.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Takayasu arteritis (TA) can exhibit arterial progression despite apparent remission, indicating limitations in current biomarkers.
- Subtle, smoldering inflammation within arterial walls remains difficult to detect with existing activity criteria.
- Pentraxin-3 (PTX3), a soluble pattern recognition receptor, is produced at inflammatory sites and may indicate systemic and localized inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if plasma concentrations of PTX3 and C-reactive protein (CRP) in Takayasu arteritis (TA) patients reflect vascular wall involvement.
- To determine if PTX3 and CRP levels correlate with the progression of arterial disease in TA patients.
- To evaluate PTX3 as a potential biomarker for active arteritis in TA.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 42 TA patients, 20 healthy controls, and 20 Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE) patients.
- Assessment of plasma PTX3, CRP, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in all participants.
- Vascular imaging using magnetic resonance angiography, Doppler ultrasonography, and computed tomography angiography to assess arterial involvement.
Main Results:
- TA and SLE patients showed higher PTX3 and CRP levels than healthy controls.
- PTX3 levels did not correlate with CRP levels.
- Patients with detectable vascular inflammation had higher PTX3 concentrations, while CRP levels were similar.
- PTX3, but not CRP, was significantly higher in TA patients with worsening arterial lesions.
Conclusions:
- Plasma PTX3 levels are influenced by arterial inflammation and disease progression in TA.
- CRP levels accurately reflect the systemic inflammatory burden in TA.
- PTX3 may represent a valuable biomarker for detecting active arteritis in Takayasu arteritis, reflecting different inflammatory aspects than CRP.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:25Acute Inflammation II: Local and Systemic Effects
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
01:19Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
01:21Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
01:25Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis