Pentraxins in the reactions of innate and aquired immunity, matrix organization, and female fertility

A review of literature data and own investigations of the author and //s staff devoted to pentraxin superfamily. The major members of the superfamily are characterized: classic short pentraxins C-reactive protein and serum amyloid P component, long pentraxins PTX3 and PTX4, a group of neuronal pentraxins. We consider the phylogeny of pentraxins, genetic coding, cytokine regulationof synthesis, ligands, biological properties, role in protection against infectious, inflammatory reaction, the organization of the extracellular matrix, fertility.