Procalcitonin (PCT) has recently emerged as a powerful biomarker for an early and accurate diagnosis of bacterial infection. Here we summarize our current understanding of the expression pathways of PCT, its potential cellular sources including immune cells, and factors inducing its secretion. Also addressed is the significance of increased blood PCT concentration, which may allow this molecule not only to act as a clinical biomarker but also as an active participant in the development and progression of infectious processes. Experimental approaches to delineate a better understanding of PCT functions, molecular pathways that modulate its expression and therapeutic opportunities to curtail its biological actions are discussed, as well.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00011-012-0439-5DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

immune regulation
4
regulation procalcitonin
4
procalcitonin biomarker
4
biomarker mediator
4
mediator infection
4
infection procalcitonin
4
pct
4
procalcitonin pct
4
pct emerged
4
emerged powerful
4

Similar Publications

Exploring the role of oxidative stress in carotid atherosclerosis: insights from transcriptomic data and single-cell sequencing combined with machine learning.

Biol Direct

January 2025

National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China.

Background: Carotid atherosclerotic plaque is the primary cause of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. It is closely related to oxidative stress and immune inflammation. This bioinformatic study was conducted to identify key oxidative stress-related genes and key immune cell infiltration involved in the formation, progression, and stabilization of plaques and investigate the relationship between them.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

N7-methylguanosine modification in cancers: from mechanisms to therapeutic potential.

J Hematol Oncol

January 2025

Department of Gynecology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.

N7-methylguanosine (m7G) is an important RNA modification involved in epigenetic regulation that is commonly observed in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Their influence on the synthesis and processing of messenger RNA, ribosomal RNA, and transfer RNA allows m7G modifications to affect diverse cellular, physiological, and pathological processes. m7G modifications are pivotal in human diseases, particularly cancer progression.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is characterized by its aggressive nature and resistance to standard chemotherapy, necessitating the development of new therapeutic approaches. The emergence of natural products and their derivatives has notably influenced cancer treatment, making morusinol, a medicine-derived monomer, a promising candidate. Here, we showed that morusinol exerted antitumor effects on DLBCL in vitro by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Diseases are often caused by multiple factors, angiogenesis-related genes (ARGs) have been shown to be associated with cancer, however, their role in colon cancer had not been fully explored. This study investigated potential biomarkers based on ARGs to improve prognosis and treatment effect in colon cancer.

Methods: ARGs associated with colon cancer prognosis were identified using Cox regression analysis and LASSO analysis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The Role of Gut Microbiota in Shaping Immune Responses in Tephritidae Fruit Fly and Prospective Implications for Management.

Neotrop Entomol

January 2025

State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Key Laboratory of Bio Pesticide and Chemical Biology, MOE, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry Univ, Fuzhou, China.

The interaction of microbial communities with host immunity has become one of the most explored research areas with significant implications for pest control strategies. It has been found that the gut microbiota plays substantial roles in immune response regulation and host-gut microbiome symbiosis, as well as in pathogen resistance and overall fitness in Tephritidae fruit flies that are major pests of agricultural importance. In this review, we discuss the modulation of immune responses of Tephritidae fruit flies by the gut microbiota with particular emphasis on the general interactions between microbiota and the immune system.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!