Factor XII in inflammation and wound healing.

OBJECTIVE

This review describes the contribution of coagulation factor XII (FXII) in sterile inflammation and wound healing, focusing on recently identified roles for zymogen FXII in neutrophil functions.

RESULTS

Recent studies have identified an important role for FXII in neutrophil trafficking. In particular, following neutrophil activation, autocrine FXII signals through the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) on the neutrophil surface to upregulate neutrophil functions. The sum of these activities leads to neutrophil adhesion, chemotaxis, and neutrophil extracellular (NET) formation. Downregulating FXII-mediated signaling in neutrophils is associated with improved wound healing.

CONCLUSIONS

These recent findings show the sophisticated role of FXII in vivo and create new opportunities for research on the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.