PTX3: A Potential Biomarker in Thyroid Associated Ophthalmopathy

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Endocrinology
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is an autoimmune condition characterized by inflammation and tissue remodeling.
• Pentraxin-3 (PTX3), an innate immune system component, has been linked to autoimmune diseases.
• PTX3's role in TAO pathogenesis warrants investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the expression and concentration of Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO).
• To determine if PTX3 is present in orbital adipose-connective tissue and serum of TAO patients and correlate its levels with the disease.

Main Methods:

• Gene expression analysis using RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) on orbital adipose-connective tissue from TAO patients and controls.
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC) to visualize PTX3 protein in orbital tissues.
• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify serum PTX3 levels.

Main Results:

• RNA-seq revealed significantly higher PTX3 gene expression in TAO orbital tissues compared to controls (FDR = 0.0059).
• qPCR confirmed a 5.59-fold increase in PTX3 expression in TAO tissues (p = 0.0012).
• Immunohistochemistry showed strong PTX3 protein staining in TAO tissues, with weak staining in controls. Serum PTX3 concentration was 1.9-fold higher in TAO patients (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

• Patients with TAO exhibit increased PTX3 presence in both orbital tissues and serum.
• These findings suggest a potential association between PTX3 and the inflammatory processes in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy.