Abstract
Recent studies have increasingly revealed a close association of the blood coagulation system with inflammation and immune reactions. Coagulation factors can work as inflammatory mediators or immune modulators, and, vice versa, some inflammatory or immune stimuli are linked to blood coagulation. First, leukocyte expression of tissue factor, the blood coagulation initiator, and the TF expression regulatory factors associated with inflammation and immune reactions, and assembly of coagulation factors on leukocytes are discussed. Secondly, evidence of leukocyte tissue factor expression and subsequent fibrin deposition are demonstrated at the sites of infection and allergic reactions using immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization. Thirdly, the progress in the investigation of thrombin, factor X, and fibrinopeptides is reviewed from the viewpoint of their effects on inflammation (vascular permeability enhancement, leukocyte chemotaxis, chemical mediator release, etc) and immune reactions (T-cell proliferation, cytokine production, etc). Evidence presented here reveals a cross-talk between blood coagulation, and inflammatory and immune reactions.
