THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PENTRAXIN 3 IN MATERNAL CIRCULATION AND INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RESTRICTION: A CASE CONTROL STUDY

Abstract

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is an important cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity; infants with this disorder have a greater risk of handicaps in later childhood and cardiovascular-metabolic disease in adult life. IUGR and preeclampsia can occur together or alone sharing placental insufficiency as a common pathogenetic mechanism. Pentraxin (PTX3) is a recently described inflammatory molecule that belongs to the same family of the well known C-reactive protein (CRP). PTX3 differs from CRP in terms of cellular origin, molecular inducers, and kinetic of production. It is expressed by different cells like endothelial cells, monocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts exposed to inflammatory stimuli. PTX3 plasma levels increase dramatically during endotoxic shock, sepsis,or other inflammatory conditions. Recent studies suggest that PTX3 plays an important role in innate immunity, female fertility, and inflammatory processes. PTX3 is produced at high levels by vessel wall elements, binds to the angiogenic growth factor fibroblast growth factor 2 and tunes its action in vitro and in vivo. PTX3 plasma levels are increased in vascular disorders including myocardial infarction and small vessel vasculitis and correlate with outcome or disease activity. These biological and clinical properties of PTX3 prompted us to investigate this molecule in IUGR, a syndrome characterized by a prominent vascular component.