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Interleukin‐12 and its procoagulant effect on erythrocytes, platelets and fibrin(ogen): the lesser known side of inflammation
Author(s) -
Page Martin J.,
Bester Janette,
Pretorius Etheresia
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/bjh.15020
Subject(s) - inflammation , immunology , fibrin , platelet , interleukin 12 , coagulation , platelet activation , medicine , chemistry , biochemistry , cytotoxic t cell , in vitro
Summary Inflammation, with its associated inflammatory molecules, is integral to most chronic diseases, including the various cardiovascular diseases. Interleukin 12 ( IL 12) is one of the inflammatory cytokines that is upregulated during inflammation; however, we know very little about its exact effect on red blood cells ( RBC s), platelets and fibrin(ogen). IL 12 is an important pleiotropic cytokine in early inflammatory responses and has potent immunomodulatory, antitumour and anti‐infection activity. Here we investigate how low levels of circulating IL 12, comparable to levels found during chronic inflammation, affect coagulation parameters, platelets and RBC s. We used thromboelastography, scanning electron microscopy, refractometery and wide‐field microscopy. Our results show that IL 12 caused hypercoagulation, platelet activation and spreading, as well as RBC agglutination. This phenomenon has far‐reaching implications for treatment of the plethora of conditions where IL 12 is upregulated, since it suggests aberrant haemorheology as agglutination affects blood flow. This information might be used in future to target the lowering of IL 12 in inflammatory conditions, as well as address RBC agglutination.