Protective PTX3 proteins shield kidneys from sharp crystal attacks, symbolizing kidney stone prevention.

Kidney Stone Breakthrough: Could PTX3 Be the Key to Prevention?

Theo Raines in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research suggests a surprising role for a long-ignored protein in preventing kidney stone formation and chronic kidney disease. Is this the future of kidney health?"

Kidney stones. Just the words themselves can send shivers down the spines of those who've experienced their excruciating pain. But beyond the immediate agony, kidney stones can also lead to more serious, long-term health problems like chronic kidney disease (CKD). Millions suffer, searching for effective ways to prevent these crystalline invaders from forming in the first place.

Now, imagine if your body had its own built-in defense system against kidney stones – a natural inhibitor that kept these mineral formations at bay. That's precisely what a team of researchers has uncovered: a protein called PTX3, or long pentraxin 3, that appears to play a critical role in preventing the development of kidney stones and related kidney damage.

This groundbreaking discovery, published in Frontiers in Immunology, could revolutionize how we approach kidney stone prevention and treatment. But what exactly is PTX3, and how does it work its magic in our kidneys? Let's dive into the science behind this exciting breakthrough and explore its potential implications for your future kidney health.

PTX3: The Body's Natural Stone Crusher?

Protective PTX3 proteins shield kidneys from sharp crystal attacks, symbolizing kidney stone prevention.

The research, led by Julian A. Marschner and Hans-Joachim Anders, highlights PTX3's unique ability to act as an "opsonin." Think of opsonins as the clean-up crew of your body. They bind to foreign invaders or unwanted particles, marking them for destruction by the immune system. The researchers hypothesized that PTX3 might perform a similar function with calcium oxalate crystals, the primary component of most kidney stones.

To test their idea, the team conducted a series of experiments, both in the lab (in vitro) and in living organisms (in vivo). Here’s a breakdown of what they found:

PTX3 Inhibits Crystal Growth: In test tubes, adding PTX3 to solutions containing calcium and oxalate significantly reduced the size of the crystals that formed. Bovine serum albumin did not have same effect.
PTX3 Levels Increase During Hyperoxaluria: In healthy mice, PTX3 was barely detectable in the kidneys or urine. However, when mice were fed a diet high in oxalate (a key ingredient in kidney stone formation), PTX3 levels surged in their kidneys and urine.
PTX3 Deficiency Leads to Kidney Problems: Mice genetically engineered to lack PTX3 were far more susceptible to developing nephrocalcinosis (calcium deposits in the kidneys) and CKD when fed an oxalate-rich diet.
PTX3 Blocks Crystal Adhesion: PTX3 appears to prevent calcium oxalate crystals from sticking to the cells lining the kidney tubules. By blocking this adhesion, PTX3 helps prevent the crystals from clumping together and forming larger stones.

These findings strongly suggest that PTX3 acts as a natural defense mechanism against kidney stone formation. But why do some people seem to have more of this protective protein than others?

The Future of Kidney Stone Treatment?

While this research is still in its early stages, the discovery of PTX3 opens up exciting new avenues for preventing and treating kidney stones. Imagine a future where people at high risk of kidney stones could take a supplement or medication to boost their PTX3 levels, strengthening their natural defenses against crystal formation. Further research is needed to fully understand how PTX3 works and how we can harness its power to improve kidney health. But for those who suffer from the pain and complications of kidney stones, this breakthrough offers a beacon of hope for a future free from these crystalline tormentors.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02173, Alternate LINK

Title: The Long Pentraxin Ptx3 Is An Endogenous Inhibitor Of Hyperoxaluria-Related Nephrocalcinosis And Chronic Kidney Disease

Subject: Immunology

Journal: Frontiers in Immunology

Publisher: Frontiers Media SA

Authors: Julian A. Marschner, Shrikant R. Mulay, Stefanie Steiger, Lidia Anguiano, Zhibo Zhao, Peter Boor, Khosrow Rahimi, Antonio Inforzato, Cecilia Garlanda, Alberto Mantovani, Hans-Joachim Anders

Published: 2018-09-25

Everything You Need To Know

What is PTX3 and why is it important for kidney health?

PTX3, or long pentraxin 3, is a protein that functions as a natural inhibitor of kidney stone formation. Research indicates that PTX3 acts as an opsonin, binding to calcium oxalate crystals (the primary component of most kidney stones) and marking them for removal, thus preventing the development of kidney stones and related kidney damage. This process helps in maintaining overall kidney health by preventing crystal adhesion and growth.

How does PTX3 prevent kidney stone formation?

PTX3 prevents kidney stone formation through several mechanisms. It inhibits the growth of calcium oxalate crystals in solutions. PTX3 levels increase in response to hyperoxaluria, a condition known to promote kidney stone formation. Crucially, PTX3 also blocks calcium oxalate crystals from adhering to the cells lining the kidney tubules. By preventing crystal adhesion, PTX3 helps prevent crystals from clumping together and forming larger stones.

What happens when there is a deficiency of PTX3 in the body?

When there is a deficiency of PTX3, the body becomes more susceptible to kidney problems. Studies on mice genetically engineered to lack PTX3 showed they were far more likely to develop nephrocalcinosis (calcium deposits in the kidneys) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) when fed an oxalate-rich diet. This indicates that PTX3 plays a vital role in protecting the kidneys, and its absence increases the risk of kidney-related ailments.

Could PTX3 be used in future treatments or preventative measures for kidney stones?

Yes, the discovery of PTX3 opens potential new avenues for preventing and treating kidney stones. One potential future application involves developing supplements or medications to boost PTX3 levels in individuals at high risk of developing kidney stones, strengthening their natural defenses against crystal formation. More research is needed to fully understand how PTX3 works and how its power can be harnessed to improve kidney health, offering a beacon of hope for those suffering from kidney stones.

What are opsonins, and how does PTX3 function as one in relation to kidney stone formation?

Opsonins are substances that enhance phagocytosis by marking foreign invaders or unwanted particles for destruction by the immune system. PTX3 acts as an opsonin by binding to calcium oxalate crystals, the primary component of most kidney stones. This binding marks the crystals for removal by the body's immune system, preventing them from aggregating and forming larger stones. This function is critical in inhibiting kidney stone formation and subsequent kidney damage.