Factor XII-A New Therapeutic Target? A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Immunology
• Cardiology

Background:

• Factor XII (FXII) has an unclear physiological role but is increasingly linked to inflammatory and prothrombotic conditions.
• Emerging evidence highlights FXII's contribution to host defense, sepsis, ARDS, fibrosis, and neurological disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the latest findings on FXII's role in inflammatory and prothrombotic states across diverse medical fields.
• To explore the therapeutic potential of FXII inhibition.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent studies on Factor XII.
• Analysis of FXII's involvement in various disease models (sepsis, ARDS, fibrosis, neurological, cardiovascular).
• Examination of FXII deficiency and pharmacological inhibition effects.

Main Results:

• FXII contributes to inflammatory mediator release in ARDS and fibroblast migration in fibrosis.
• FXII deficiency reduces neutrophil adhesion and severity in sterile wounds and vasculitis.
• FXII inhibition prevents arterial thrombosis without compromising hemostasis and shows promise in heart failure models.

Conclusions:

• Factor XII is implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous inflammatory and thrombotic diseases.
• Pharmacological inhibition of FXII is a promising therapeutic strategy, though human studies are limited.