The Interface Between Coagulation and Immunity

[Guest guest]

American Journal of Transplantation

Volume 7 Issue 3 Page 499 - March 2007

To cite this article: S. Shrivastava, J. H. McVey, A. Dorling (2007) The Interface Between Coagulation and Immunity. The complex proteases of the coagulation system have roles in hemostasis and thrombosis, but may also be important in response to injury, inflammation, scarring, and adaptive immunity. American Journal of Transplantation 7 (3), 499–506. doi:10.1111/j.1600-6143.2006.01653.x

Minireview

The Interface Between Coagulation and ImmunityThe complex proteases of the coagulation system have roles in hemostasis and thrombosis, but may also be important in response to injury, inflammation, scarring, and adaptive immunity.

S. ShrivastavaaaDepartment of Immunology, J. H. McVeybbHaemostasis and Thrombosis Unit, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom and A. Dorlinga,*aDepartment of Immunology*Corresponding author: Dr. Dorling, a.dorling@...

aDepartment of Immunology and bHaemostasis and Thrombosis Unit, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom

*Corresponding author: Dr. Dorling, a.dorling@...

Abstract

Coagulation proteases are involved in generating fibrin after vascular injury (hemostasis) but they also have multiple other effects, many of which are mediated independently of fibrin generation, via interactions with specific cell membrane-expressed ‘protease activated receptors’. In inflammation, this family of proteins has a complex influence, the facets of which are still incompletely understood, though a common feature in different models appears to be amplification of innate signals that are initially generated by pathogenic elements or, in the context of transplantation, ischemia or anti-graft antibodies, for instance. There is increasing evidence that these proteases may also have specific effects on cells involved in adaptive immunity and on cells that mediate chronic inflammation and fibrosis. Understanding whether these effects are relevant in the responses generated against transplanted organs is important, as it could lead ultimately to the development of novel ways to promote long-term graft survival.