Abstract
The involvement of the hemostatic system in immune-mediated inflammation is widely
reported. Many coagulation factors play a role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases,
such as systemic vasculitis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Hemostatic disorders
are also involved in asthma and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Factor XIIa (FXIIa)
was one of the first coagulation factors implicated in inducing both humoral and cellular
responses and is therefore considered a prime new therapeutic target in immune-mediated
inflammation. The involvement of coagulation factors, such as tissue factor and fibrinogen,
in the pathogenesis of asthma has been reported. The finding of platelet activation
in asthma also indicates a link between bronchial inflammation and hemostasis. The
pathogenesis of mast cell degranulation and CSU was also shown to be associated with
the activation of hemostatic factors such as fibrinogen and FXIIa. Increased plasma
levels of D-dimer have been widely reported as a biological marker for the duration
and severity of CSU. In addition, endothelial-induced cell activation by the kallikrein–high
molecular weight complex and the release of heat shock protein 90 was shown to be
involved in mast cell degranulation disorders. In this narrative review, the authors
aim to summarize the role of hemostasis in inflammation, asthma, and CSU by focusing
on the increasing information linking hemostatic factors and immune-mediated disorders.
Keywords
coagulation factors - inflammation - allergy - asthma - chronic spontaneous urticaria
