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Review
. 2023 Aug 8;24(16):12563.
doi: 10.3390/ijms241612563.

The Crossroads of the Coagulation System and the Immune System: Interactions and Connections

Grzegorz Wilhelm  1 , Paulina Mertowska  2 , Sebastian Mertowski  2 , Anna Przysucha  3 , Jerzy Strużyna  4 , Ewelina Grywalska  2 , Kamil Torres  1
Affiliations
Review

The Crossroads of the Coagulation System and the Immune System: Interactions and Connections

Grzegorz Wilhelm et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

The coagulation and immune systems, two vital systems in the human body, share intimate connections that fundamentally determine patient health. These systems work together through several common regulatory pathways, including the Tissue Factor (TF) Pathway. Immune cells expressing TF and producing pro-inflammatory cytokines can influence coagulation, while coagulation factors and processes reciprocally impact immune responses by activating immune cells and controlling their functions. These shared pathways contribute to maintaining health and are also involved in various pathological conditions. Dysregulated coagulation, triggered by infection, inflammation, or tissue damage, can result in conditions such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Concurrently, immune dysregulation may lead to coagulation disorders and thrombotic complications. This review elucidates these intricate interactions, emphasizing their roles in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and cancer. Understanding the complex interplay between these systems is critical for disease management and the development of effective treatments. By exploring these common regulatory mechanisms, we can uncover innovative therapeutic strategies targeting these intricate disorders. Thus, this paper presents a comprehensive overview of the mutual interaction between the coagulation and immune systems, highlighting its significance in health maintenance and disease pathology.

Keywords: autoimmune diseases; coagulation system; immune system; sepsis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest and the funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 4
Figure 4
Interactions between the coagulation system and T lymphocyte activation, migration, and function based on [132,133,134].
Figure 8
Figure 8
The impact of cancer on coagulation disorders based on [230,231,232].
Figure 1
Figure 1
Clot formation and dissolution phases based on [8].
Figure 2
Figure 2
The role of platelets in the coagulation cascade and clot formation based on [64,65].
Figure 3
Figure 3
The role of monocytes in the coagulation system based on [72,73,74].
Figure 5
Figure 5
The role of B lymphocytes in the development and progression of the antiphospholipid syndrome based on [155,156,157].
Figure 6
Figure 6
The role of B lymphocytes in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia based on [158,159,160,161].
Figure 7
Figure 7
Coagulation disorders in the course of sepsis based on [13,178,179,180,181,182].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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