PENTRAXINS Meaning and
Definition
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Pentraxins are a family of proteins that function as pattern recognition molecules in the immune system. These proteins play a crucial role in the innate immune response, which is the body's rapid and non-specific defense mechanism against pathogens.
Pentraxins are characterized by their unique five-sided or pentameric structure, hence their name. They are predominantly synthesized in the liver but can also be produced by other tissues and immune cells. There are two main types of pentraxins: short pentraxins and long pentraxins.
Short pentraxins, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid P component (SAP), are acute-phase proteins that rapidly increase in concentration during infection, inflammation, and tissue injury. They bind to a variety of microbial and damaged self-molecules, marking them for recognition and destruction by immune cells. Additionally, short pentraxins activate complement pathways and enhance phagocytosis, a process where immune cells engulf and eliminate pathogens.
Long pentraxins, such as pentraxin 3 (PTX3), have a more specialized role in the immune response. They are produced at sites of infection and inflammation, where they regulate the recruitment and activity of immune cells to fight against specific pathogens. Long pentraxins also have immunomodulatory functions, influencing the activities of other immune proteins and cells.
Overall, pentraxins are crucial components of the innate immune system, playing a vital role in identifying and eliminating pathogens and damaged molecules. Their unique structure and functions make them important targets for studying and developing therapeutic interventions for various diseases and immune disorders.
Etymology of PENTRAXINS
The word "pentraxins" is derived from the Latin word "penta" meaning "five" and the Greek suffix "-traxin" meaning "similar to", thus combining to mean "similar to a pentagon". This name was given to a family of multimeric proteins that have a pentagonal symmetry.
