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The hemostatic system as a regulator of inflammation in atherosclerosis

Miriam Koch1, Alma Zernecke

  • 1Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.

IUBMB Life
|December 11, 2014
PubMed

Insights

The coagulation system significantly impacts atherosclerosis development. Key coagulation factors, like FX, thrombin, and FXIII, regulate inflammation and immunity, offering potential new treatments for cardiovascular disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Inflammation and Immunology
  • Hemostasis and Thrombosis

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory arterial disease.
  • The coagulation system intricately interacts with inflammation in atherosclerosis.
  • Evidence suggests coagulation factors play a crucial role in atherosclerotic lesion development and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the presence and impact of coagulation factors in atherosclerotic lesions.
  • To explore the roles of hypercoagulability and hypocoagulability in lesion formation.
  • To discuss the non-hemostatic and immune-modulatory functions of FX, thrombin, and FXIII in atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of coagulation factors in atherosclerotic lesions.
  • Analysis of the unifying common pathway of coagulation.
  • Examination of the functions of FX, thrombin, and FXIII in cellular and immune regulation within atherosclerosis.

Main Results:

  • Coagulation factors are present in atherosclerotic lesions.
  • Both hypercoagulability and hypocoagulability influence atherosclerotic lesion formation.
  • FX, thrombin, and FXIII exhibit significant non-hemostatic roles in regulating inflammation and immunity in various cell types.

Conclusions:

  • The coagulation system is a critical regulator of inflammation in atherosclerosis.
  • Non-hemostatic functions of coagulation factors present therapeutic targets for cardiovascular disease.
  • Understanding these roles may lead to novel treatment strategies for atherosclerosis.

Keywords:
FXFXIIIatherosclerosiscoagulationhemostasisimmunityinflammationthrombin

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